As I continue to work through the haze that was Tuesday night’s Pumpkins concert in Chicago, I am discovering that Billy’s antics just may have been intentional by design.
Reports from each of the cities that the new “Smashing Pumpkins” have all been the same, Billy tweaks in the end.
So, is Billy a marketing genius? Because the Pumpkins have been out of the limelight for so long, is he bum-rushing the fans with angst, hate, and self-loathing in hopes of regaining the respect of his fans? Is he going over-the-top alter-punk-asshole so that he can show that he has not sold out? Or, is he just going out with a bang, spitting on the very people that have enabled him to reap the rewards of super stardom and then riding off into the sunset as the uber-punk? I don’t know, but if I had to guess, I would say he is a marketing genius. Nothing stems curiosity more than angst and controversy. Fans want to be appreciated, or do they? They most likely like to be spit on.
Regardless, Billy has re-launched his brand and the Internet is bursting with Smashing Pumpkins news, blogs, and comment threads since his tour started. Time will tell if the new “asshole” status will convert into record sales. Stay tuned…
In the meantime, wanna see some "real music" I found? Check out Adam Stern's new video, War...this is some hot stuff coming out of Cali!
You really gotta admit - Asshole Corgan is not a new thing. True, this ranting and raving is not something we've seen for some time. He really mellowed out on the last tour and all that Zwan bullshit was nothing but God shooting loving rainbows out his ass. Yelling and cussing at the audience? Welcome back, 1994.
Posted by: Constance | November 20, 2008 at 10:10 AM
I just have not seen Billy like this before. In reality, he is a mellow dude, so to see him bitch about what people think is a surprise and leads me to believe that it is a marketing ploy to remind fans that he is Billy from the 90s.
Posted by: Mark Murrell | November 20, 2008 at 10:29 AM
"Fans want to be appreciated, or do they? They most likely like to be spit on."
I'll need a little more proof that fans really want to be spit on. I'm going to the Pumpkins show this Wednesday in St. Louis, not because of this "controversy" but because I love the Pumpkins music, and I really love Billy's guitar playing. If I get to hear some of their old hits that I used to love, as well as some long, loud and fast guitar solos, I will be happy.
But, if Billy does go into a huge rant fest by the end, I will NOT buy another ticket to see them.
Posted by: Will | November 21, 2008 at 12:45 PM