Billy Corgan, frontman of Smashing Pumpkins, has given a new insight into the band’s forthcoming LP Oceania. In an interview with Sterogum, Corgan stated that on the album, “It is the first time where you actually hear me escape the old band”. He claims that the LP is their best since their chart-topping Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
Corgan continues to describe the highly positive responses that the LP has received from those who have heard it: “… they’ve basically patted me on the back and said ‘You’ve actually done it. You got off Planet Pumpkin onto something else'”. However, in a previous interview with Billboard, Corgan said that “I think if (‘Oceania’) basically hits the same wall a lot of the other stuff has hit, we’re going to have to step back and really evaluate where we’re going, because it’s a tremendous amount of energy to put out to just feel like you’re throwing a pebble in the ocean.” Essentially making it make or break for the Smashing Pumpkins.
Meanwhile, Corgan also commented on the future of the music industry globally, saying that “there may not even be a place to play next year. Anywhere.” Which leaves a somewhat bleak outlook on the year ahead for live music.
The Smashing Pumpkins, who are currently touring, have nearly finished mastering Oceania and it is set for release early 2012. Here’s a sneak peak at the album, recorded in Detroit on the 15th of October
