Even in the early ’90s, as Smashing Pumpkins were just becoming one of the leading acts in the “Alternative music revolution,” mastermind Billy Corgan had a contentious relationship with the press. When 1993’s Siamese Dream was coming out, the knock was that he was a control freak, something that became a primary focus of early press attacks. His candor and forthrightness is probably what made (and continues to make) him an easy target — he’s great at giving soundbite pull-quotes that can be easily amplified, something that has to be even more difficult to deal with for an honest artist in the social media age.
All of this has somewhat overshadowed (especially for casual listeners or non-fans) the music Corgan has made in more recent years. Which is unfortunate, because he continues to release some strong recordings with his rotating lineup of Pumpkins. Read more in this week's Sound Advice.
See Smashing Pumpkins with Marilyn Manson Saturday at Riverbend. More info/tickets: riverbend.org
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