Billy Corgan, Alex Jones Discuss Occupy, Media, Music Business

By Chris Bentley in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 28, 2012 4:40PM

Billy Corgan stopped by libertarian radio talk show host Alex Jones’ studio for an “explosive” interview in which the Smashing Pumpkins frontman critiqued the corporatization of the music business, discussed Occupy Wall Street, and bemoaned his portrayal in the media.

“Music no longer has that special place in culture,” Corgan said. “The corporate aspect of it and the message behind it have really alienated people.”

Corgan said he’d been categorized and demonized in the ’90s, a situation he called "Kafkaesque" and likened to the Occupy movement’s treatment in the media. He welcomed Occupy’s voice of dissent, though he was quick to point out he doesn’t want his wealth redistributed.

“Everything I’ve earned in life I made myself, with songs that I wrote,” Corgan said.

The two went on to discuss social media, globalization and climate change, among other topics.

“Somebody’s going to watch this and say, ‘He’s just a singer, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about,’” Corgan said. “I don’t know what I’m talking about, but I do know this much: If you don’t have a rigorous debate around any issue, that’s a red flag.”

Where this conversation falls on that scale may depend on your definition of “rigorous,” though the two covered enough ground to raise eyebrows across the political spectrum.