Smashing Pumpkins frontman and leader Billy Corgan has told his hometown Chicago Tribune that he may end his iconic group following the release of his twin 2015 albums, Monuments To An Elegy and Day For Night.
"When this process is over, I'm either going to bail on this ship for good, like 'I'm done,' or I'm going to have a new ship to sail on," he said. "How do you say, 'I still matter'? How do you say, 'How does one of my contemporaries get treated like a contemporary artist, and how do I get treated like I'm supposed to play Siamese Dream for the rest of my life?'"
That statement does more than suggest: It seems Corgan is debating between leaving music for good or simply starting a new band. Retaining the Smashing Pumpkins title doesn't seem to be one of the options available. We'd be willing to bet that the new band option is more likely, considering the guitarist's frequent experimentation and projects. It's tough to imagine him hanging up his axe for good.
Still, we understand what he's saying. Today's listeners haven't latched on to more recent Pumpkins albums, as they have new music from other huge '90's alternative acts as Pearl Jam and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Afroman recently referred to it as the process of "artist crucifixion"—or nailing a performer to classic work—during an interview with Music Times.
Whatever Corgan decides to do, hopefully the Pumpkins go out on a bright note. Guest drummer Tommy Lee seems to be pretty stoked for Monuments To An Elegy, so we'll see.
