Billy Corgan Blasts Faceless Posers And Plastic Pop Stars In 'Playback' Interview

The internet is buzzing yet again after Smashing Pumpkins main-man Billy Corgan said he would have punched Kanye West if the rapper had tried to ruin one of his Grammy moments. Speaking on an Australian morning news show, Corgan said “I’ve stood at that podium too, and I’ll tell you what— if somebody got up on my stage, I would knock them out. I don’t care who it is." Such outspokenness, however, should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the guitarist, as he has never shied away from saying what's on his mind. In a brand new Playback interview feature, Corgan says exactly what he thinks is wrong in today's musical climate."

"Plastic pop stars," "faceless posers," and cat videos, yes, even cat videos, are all targets of the grunge rocker's rage. And along the way he also talks about his earliest musical influences, why the Smashing Pumpkins faced criticism for being "too good" and how Generation X had no central values. But contrary to sounding like the harangues of a cranky old man, Corgan, who has always placed his musicianship and music above all else, delivers a sobering critique of where music is headed in the 21st century. Hear what Billy Corgan has to say and keep an eye out for future installments of Playback, where music's greatest talents reflect on their artistic evolution, and offer insights into the creative process.