The Smashing Pumpkins have returned to their alt-rock roots with new album Monuments To An Elegy, and it seems ringleader Billy Corgan is enjoying the regained interest in his band. In a new interview, Corgan says the Pumpkins’ next album, Day For Night, previously meant to be an “experimental” companion to Monuments To An Elegy, will now be a more rock-oriented affair.
Monuments To An Elegy has been well received by fans and critics alike. Our own review described the record as a “welcome and wholly unexpected return to the band’s pop-infused alt-rock origins”. Now, speaking with NME, Corgan has said the aftermath of the Monuments… release has influenced the band’s new direction.
“Before Monuments To An Elegy was released, the plan was to take Day For Night in an experimental direction,” he said. “I was thinking ‘I’ll make a pop record, then I’ll make a weird, arty record.’ But, seeing Monuments… come out and going to back the Day For Night demos, I feel that The Smashing Pumpkins shouldn’t be an arty band anymore.”
He continued: “I think the 14-year-old me would say that Monuments… is a little bit too comfortable. Day For Night is going back to something that would appeal to my teenage self. Monuments… is really cool and I love having re-embraced my pop leanings. But is that why I really started the band? Is it what drove me forward? Not at all.
“Monuments… is me solving a problem of how to get The Smashing Pumpkins back into the mainstream. I had to solve that problem before I can solve problem two, which is where Day For Night comes in. That’s why I’d thought ‘I’ll do the thing I should do, then I’ll do the thing I want to do.’ But now what I want to do is kick people out of the way.”
Australian fans preparing to catch the band at Soundwave Festival next year should count their blessings, as Corgan also revealed to NME that he has been approached by numerous festivals only to turn down their “disappointing” offers.
“The funny thing is, the more that Monuments… is kicking in, the more phone calls we’re getting,” Corgan said. “We’re getting calls asking for us, because they ain’t selling tickets. But how is it that The Smashing Pumpkins still sell tickets, but you’re offering me this poor slot? It’s disappointing.”
Day For Night, the final record in The Smashing Pumpkins’ Teargarden For Kaleidyscope triptych, is expected to be released in 2015. Smashing Pumpkins is currently officially comprised of Corgan and guitarist Jeff Schroeder, with Killers bassist Mark Stoermer and Rage Against The Machine drummer Brad Wilk completing the touring lineup.
Listen: The Smashing Pumpkins – Anti-Hero
