That quote doesn't mean sh*t, they sold out to Batman and that new cartoon movie. Visa is just another corporation eager to use a jingle.

Who cares.

They got some good songs, doesn't mean that integrity is part of the package.

And they need to eat, sh*t, athletes make more money than anybody and they will whore themselves out for anybody and nobody gives a flying sh*t one way or the other.

And athletes have obsessive fans that study eerie intimate details about their idols. But they don't get all butt-hurt when their Blessed-Virgin-Marys take on that Doritos commercial or Bud Light opus. Take a cue from the creepy sports fans and just back off, music buffs.

Not that I sit around holding grudges against artists selling out, I do however have a soft spot for artists being totally against it, therefore giving me the pleasure of being the one choosing to listen to their work when i please, and not when someone has some soft drinks to sell, call me an old romantic. JD Salinger is a personal hero of mine, and it has nothing to do with his writings

HappyHarryHardOn: JD Salinger is a personal hero of mine

I take it you didn't see the new Doritos commercial.

Smashing Pumpkins remains one of the worst concerts I have ever seen.

I saw them in Birmingham, Alabama, and Billy Corgan spent most of the concert insulting Alabama and everyone that lived there. Never mind that those were the people who paid to see him that night.

Showed just how clueless about reality that Addams Family reject really is.

7of7: HappyHarryHardOn: JD Salinger is a personal hero of mine

I take it you didn't see the new Doritos commercial.

oh, Jeezz... no. What's in it now?

(bracing for the worst)

Confabulat: Smashing Pumpkins remains one of the worst concerts I have ever seen.

I saw SP in the early 90s and it still remains one of the best gigs I've ever seen. They had a special guest drummer (don't recall who) who came out and did a 20-25 min duelling drum set with Jimmy Chamberlin.

Then again, I was off my nut on weed at the time IIRC. I would have chilled to crickets at the time, probably.

/shrug

Wish I could have seen them back in their heydey. Don't want to see them now.

I guess Zwan and his books of poetry were not paying the bills.

eyehate: They got some good songs, doesn't mean that integrity is part of the package.

Since when has selling the fruits of your labors considered a sign of not having 'integrity?' Why do people place so much negative emphasis on artists who license their work in exchange for cash? Do people who feel this way and also work regular jobs accept that they have no integrity? I mean, they're trading their work and the fruits thereof for a paycheck, right?

Dude let them animate him on Guitar Hero World Tour. Who didn't see this coming?

snuff3r: I saw SP in the early 90s and it still remains one of the best gigs I've ever seen. They had a special guest drummer (don't recall who) who came out and did a 20-25 min duelling drum set with Jimmy Chamberlin.

Saw them in the late 90's, was a very good show.

On the article: Eh. This is how he pays his bills and how he makes his living. Who gives a crap?

Billy Corgan is a pretentious self-absorbed douche, i.e. your average musician. He's one of those artsy types who thinks his music is some message delivered from the gods, channeled through a mysterious connection to the ether that only his expanded consciousness can touch; his lyrics pure poetry of unparalleled beauty and depth; a soul so tortured with angst at the realization that no one anywhere at any time will ever understand the true nature and power of his genius.

/can relate

Confabulat: Smashing Pumpkins remains one of the worst concerts I have ever seen.

Sorry you had a bad experience. The ones that I saw were all some of the best concerts I have seen. Gish is still the bees knees.

The dude has to pay the bills, and the Pumpkins won't be the Pumpkins until they get one of the other two absentee members back. Preferably Iha.

I saw them in Providence a year or two ago when they did one of their come back tours. It was a great show musically. However, it was DEFINITELY the Billy Corgan is Jesus show.

/He can pretend to be Jesus all he wants, just keep making good tunes...

I have to second what Confabulat said. The Pumpkins headlined the '94 Lollapalooza and were easily the lamest, least rockin'est band of the day. Half the crowd left during their set, my party included.

After Gish everything else was just awful.

Confabulat: Smashing Pumpkins remains one of the worst concerts I have ever seen.

I saw them in Birmingham, Alabama, and Billy Corgan spent most of the concert insulting Alabama and everyone that lived there. Never mind that those were the people who paid to see him that night.

Showed just how clueless about reality that Addams Family reject really is.

Saw Smashing Pumpkins twice (1994 and 1996)... they sucked both times. Still dig their albums (in fact, I think they are getting better with age), but their live performances were worthless.

/That commercial pisses me off. Morgan Freeman and the Pumpkins, two of my favorites, hawking for Visa in the same ad. Lame.

alywa: Morgan Freeman and the Pumpkins, two of my favorites, hawking for Visa in the same ad. Lame.

I said almost the exact same thing to my wife when I saw that commercial this weekend.

Corgan actually lent his music to tna wrestling, just recently.

...because someone who reformed his better-known band on the heels of his solo album crashing screams artistic integrity.

akuma976: Corgan actually lent his music to tna wrestling, just recently.

I heard that. And at first I was upset, because it was the pumpkins, and there was all that posturing. Truth is, if I had a lick of talent and someone was going to pay me to sell out, I'd do it in a heart beat. The guy is still a dick, but money is money.

Stay Cool Babylon: Since when has selling the fruits of your labors considered a sign of not having 'integrity?' Why do people place so much negative emphasis on artists who license their work in exchange for cash? Do people who feel this way and also work regular jobs accept that they have no integrity? I mean, they're trading their work and the fruits thereof for a paycheck, right?

Depends on the work, I suppose. I mean, Eric Clapton wrote "Tears in Heaven" about his kid falling out of a window and dying, and used it as part of a film soundtrack. Althete's "Wires" was about the lead singer's child being born prematurely, and was released as a single. Corgan's said "Today" saved his life and gives him strong feelings when he plays it - but now he's ok with it being using to promote a credit card.

Very little of my programming work involves catharsis on the other hand.

I think it just goes to show how people's attitude's towards their work changes over time. In another ten years, he may regret this decision.

Now I know how my Dad feels every time that Who song "Bargain" comes on during that stupid car commercial.

I heard it the other day and got upset for a few seconds. Then I remembered I didnt give a shiat.

Good albums, I dont care to know what the guy is like personally, and certainly dont care if he makes some extra cash off his work.

Peaked at Siamese Dream. It's over Billy.

where the fark are his car keys?

/chilled w/bc back in the day
//complicated dude with a good heart

I saw this commerical, looked at my fiance, and said "this is the point where I can tell a whole bunch of people 'WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW?'"

/Like the song
//Ambivalent towards the band
///Annoyed by their fans
////Addicted to slashies.

Saw that Visa commercial last night. Is it just me or is using Today for some upbeat, "Go tackle the world" credit card commercial about like Wrangler Jeans using CCR's "Fortunate Son" a few years back, and just using it to the "Ooh they're red white and blue" lyric? Do these marketing people even listen to the songs they buy? Or, you know, do a Google for song meanings or something?

I burn my eyes out
Before I get out (of credit card debt)

palexc: Peaked at Siamese Dream. It's over Billy.

I liked the leftovers and B-sides they dropped on Pisces Iscariot and about half of Mellon Collie but I pretty much agree with you on this. Adore was the final nail in the Pumpkin coffin.

I used to like the Pumpkins. I even liked parts of Adore but Corgan makes the band hard to listen to. It is hard to get passed what a bag of D this fella is.

I like that they use a song about suicidal depression to encourage us to go spend more.

/Saw the pumpkins for Siamese Dream, Mellon Collie, and the latest. All were fantastic shows.

down4afall: akuma976: Corgan actually lent his music to tna wrestling, just recently.

I heard that. And at first I was upset, because it was the pumpkins, and there was all that posturing. Truth is, if I had a lick of talent and someone was going to pay me to sell out, I'd do it in a heart beat. The guy is still a dick, but money is money.

Hate to break it to you (I guess), but Billy's a wrestling fan from way back. There's no surprise that he sold some of his music to TNA - here he is in ECW about 10 years ago:



/haven't seen the commercial
//"Today" to sell Visa, huh? Gah.

jayhawk88: Saw that Visa commercial last night. Is it just me or is using Today for some upbeat, "Go tackle the world" credit card commercial about like Wrangler Jeans using CCR's "Fortunate Son" a few years back, and just using it to the "Ooh they're red white and blue" lyric? Do these marketing people even listen to the songs they buy? Or, you know, do a Google for song meanings or something?


First thing I noticed too. I had to listen closely to be sure that they were actually using a song about suicide as an inspirational soundtrack. Idiots.

So, as a musician matured he realized that he produces a product like anyone else?

It's not news, it's not Fark, it's....normal.

That ad just came on and it seemed very wierd
/great song anyway

I saw them in New Orleans in 1993(?) One of the best shows I've ever seen.

'Today' was filmed in and around my hometown, beautiful Taft, CA

just thought you might like to know

Tonight, Tonight was used in commercials for MLB playoffs about 4-5 years ago. Had one of the newer songs in a car commercial awhile ago (play artist: Smashing Pumpkins). There was a Smashing Pumpkins song in a Hyundai commercial during the Superbowl too.

These are just the three I can think of, I have a feeling there are more. Cognitive dissonance on Billy's part I suppose.

eyehate: And they need to eat, sh*t, athletes make more money than anybody and they will whore themselves out for anybody and nobody gives a flying sh*t one way or the other.

I don't think too many people care about the sellout so much as the hypocrisy. All sanctimonious-like, too.

2004 Billy Corgan: Man, it sure is sweet to still have all these Smashing Pumpkins royalties to live on. I think I'll do another Zwan album, or wait, a solo album! Hmm, maybe I'll just blow a couple hundred dollars on a full-page ad to get the Pumpkins back together?

2009 Billy Corgan: Dammit! Nobody bought Zeitgeist! Hello, Visa? Got a song for you!!!

akuma976: Corgan actually lent his music to tna wrestling, just recently.


He has a history of doing that. Allegedly, he considered buying ECW when it went under.

I'm a professional musician who used to consider having your music used in a commercial to be "selling your soul to the highest bidder" and now heads up the licensing department for an indie label distributor, so I'm reeeeally getting a kick out of these replies.

/Oh, The Tiiiiiiimes They Are A-Chaaaaaaangiiiiiiin'
//brought to you in part by Rolex

That commercial makes my ears sad.

/$ma$hing Pumpkin$

Didn't he do a Hyundai commercial too?



/makes baby Jesus sad...

The same song from the Visa commercial is in Grand Theft Auto 4 also (on one of the radio stations play list). Which is good.. because most of the music in GTA4 sucks.

Oh really Billy? Is that why you sold out to Hyundai, you mega-hypocrite wentz.

doschi: I'm a professional musician who used to consider having your music used in a commercial to be "selling your soul to the highest bidder" and now heads up the licensing department for an indie label distributor, so I'm reeeeally getting a kick out of these replies.

/Oh, The Tiiiiiiimes They Are A-Chaaaaaaangiiiiiiin'
//brought to you in part by Rolex

Indie music licensing? So I'm guessing you have Urban Outfitters on speed dial.

For the record, I don't care about where artists sell their music. Doesn't matter. I still love the albums.

and IMHO, Machina has some great songs (see "Stand Inside your Love"; "Wound"; and "Imploding voice")

ConnieLingus: doschi: I'm a professional musician who used to consider having your music used in a commercial to be "selling your soul to the highest bidder" and now heads up the licensing department for an indie label distributor, so I'm reeeeally getting a kick out of these replies.

/Oh, The Tiiiiiiimes They Are A-Chaaaaaaangiiiiiiin'
//brought to you in part by Rolex

Indie music licensing? So I'm guessing you have Urban Outfitters on speed dial.

Not yet. Just started recently. I'm gonna take your idea and run with it though. Hadn't thought of that yet ;-)