Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan has revealed why criticism led to himself, D’arcy Wretzky, James Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin having to feel like ‘superheroes’ to find success and conquer the world of rock and roll.
Corgan told Kerrang, “When I was younger I was so worried about writing great songs that I literally couldn’t just be myself. I think if I was 20 years old in this world, I would have a much better chance of being myself.
When we stood on a stage in 1990, me being somewhat androgynous, with a high, almost-female voice, playing the kind of music we played… People weren’t like, ‘Oh man, that band’s gonna be huge.’ It was like, ‘What the fuck is this? What are you trying to say? What is the point of this?’ And then they would get to weird stuff like, ‘Why’s there a girl [original bassist D’arcy Wretzky]? Why’s there an Asian?’
So somehow we had to find something in ourselves that made us feel supernatural or superhero-ish. And it was by wrapping ourselves in the things we loved, and in some ways the things we hated, that seemed to kind of forge our identity.”
Billy Corgan also recently discussed Wolfgang Van Halen’s new song “Distance” and political commentator Ben Shapiro in a fan Q&A. Alternative Nation transcribed his comments.
Have you heard Wolfgang’s tribute to his Dad? Amazing!
“Yes, it moved me to tears. Don’t know WVH at all, but I know his dad must be so, so proud.”
Would you do long form interview with Ben Shapiro?
“I’m not sure I would interview with anyone from political media, left or right. Think the last political interview I did was on CNN with Piers Morgan.”
