The Smashing Pumpkins return
- 12 years ago
"The Smashing Pumpkins" are together once again.
Behind the scenes, in-fighting and drug use led to the band's break-up in 2000.
But now the alternative rockers are back in the spotlight, aiming for more success.
Billy Corgan has reformed the Pumpkins with new musicians.
Their goal? An ambitious 44-song project titled "Teargarden by Kaleidyscope", including a new album, "Oceania".
It's already debuted at number four on the Billboard charts.
But Corgan says there was no shortage of naysayers.
SOUNDBITE: Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins, saying (English):
"There was something about the process that just told me we're going to have to keep everybody out of the room. We had to build our own internal confidence, and there's something that happens sometimes. Even the people I've known twenty years with the best of intentions will walk in and just say the wrong thing."
Corgan says the group is transparant and places the need for good music above money.
SOUNDBITE: Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins, saying (English):
"Many bands will actually, the most talented person in the group will compromise their earning power to try to keep the peace, which you can imagine the level of resentment that's created. At one point I tried that, and I had a tremendous amount of resentment, because I'm thinking 'well, I'm working and you're on the phone and you're out snorting heroin,' so I had to get out of that."
"Oceania" was released on June 19.
Alicia Powell, Reuters.
Behind the scenes, in-fighting and drug use led to the band's break-up in 2000.
But now the alternative rockers are back in the spotlight, aiming for more success.
Billy Corgan has reformed the Pumpkins with new musicians.
Their goal? An ambitious 44-song project titled "Teargarden by Kaleidyscope", including a new album, "Oceania".
It's already debuted at number four on the Billboard charts.
But Corgan says there was no shortage of naysayers.
SOUNDBITE: Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins, saying (English):
"There was something about the process that just told me we're going to have to keep everybody out of the room. We had to build our own internal confidence, and there's something that happens sometimes. Even the people I've known twenty years with the best of intentions will walk in and just say the wrong thing."
Corgan says the group is transparant and places the need for good music above money.
SOUNDBITE: Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins, saying (English):
"Many bands will actually, the most talented person in the group will compromise their earning power to try to keep the peace, which you can imagine the level of resentment that's created. At one point I tried that, and I had a tremendous amount of resentment, because I'm thinking 'well, I'm working and you're on the phone and you're out snorting heroin,' so I had to get out of that."
"Oceania" was released on June 19.
Alicia Powell, Reuters.