Billy Corgan Blog and Journals

Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan is speaking out about the lawsuit he filed against Virgin Records last week. The label is not.

As previously reported, Corgan claims that his band was placed in a promotional campaign with Amazon.com and "Pepsi Stuff" without the Pumpkins' consent. "I'm sure they indicated to Pepsi that they had a right to do this, full well knowing they do not have the right," he told Billboard. Corgan says the group has the final say over promotional matters and that Virgin breached contract. A label spokesperson reportedly said the company does not comment on pending litigation.

Corgan went on to say he has been fighting with Virgin for years over the management of the Pumpkins' legendary catalog, but that the Pepsi/Amazon.com promotion "crosses the Rubicon. You're going to see more of this playing fast and loose with the rules, hoping they don't get caught. At face value, it's not a huge deal. But in terms of precedent, it is, because there will be much more of this coming."

Is Virgin completely out of line? According to the contract the Pumpkins renegotiated with the label in the late '90s, both parties are partners regarding their back catalog. Corgan claims he's made frequent offers to Virgin about releasing expanded editions of older albums and archival material, but has been denied every time. In an industry where major labels are falling apart at the seams you can't blame Virgin for being stubborn about the contract.

That won't stop the band from offering unreleased music to fans though, just ask drummer Jimmy Chamberlain. Potentially in the works are ultra-rare early Smashing Pumpkins performances, studio cuts that have never been released, and alternate versions of songs from Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Who would have thought that the band had any more material to spare from the double-album Mellon Collie sessions? Regardless of what happens in court, it sounds like Smashing Pumpkins fans will get to hear some new material this year.

Now that we have more facts about the lawsuit do you still agree with Corgan's decision or with Virgin?