Corgan Talks About Work On Manson, Hole, Pumpkins Albums
MTV
January 12, 1998

Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan called MTV News on Friday to discuss his involvement with Marilyn Manson's upcoming album, to talk about his progress on the next Smashing Pumpkins record, and to clarify his role on Hole's next project, on which he was previously their executive producer.

"I took myself out of the picture," Corgan told MTV News of the Hole project.

Corgan said that after suggesting the band find "a real producer," he helped the group choose Michael Bienhorn (Soundgarden, Ozzy Osbourne, Red Hot Chili Peppers) for that task.

"I came in at the beginning to help them get the record off the ground. I played bass on one song and helped write seven songs," Corgan told MTV News.

Meanwhile, Corgan has also been lending a hand on the next Marilyn Manson album, but told MTV News his involvement on that project is "strictly casual. I'm helping them on their record as a friend."

Corgan added that the Manson album had a "more funky, more rhythmic" feel with a "cold weirdness" to it.

"Brian (Warner, Marilyn Manson's alter ego) is very intent on going in a different direction," Corgan explained.

Speaking in broader terms about his work with both the Hole and Manson records, Corgan said, "It's been interesting coming in from the outside and helping to steer the ship a little."

Corgan also went on to predict of the next offerings from Hole and Manson, "Both records are going to be fantastic."

It might seem that all these other duties might mean less time for Smashing Pumpkins, but Corgan said that the next record from that group is two-thirds completed. Corgan said that Flood is on hand for the mixing process, and the record should be out by May or June.

Corgan promises that the next Pumpkins opus will be "a strange hybrid. A very song-y record. Light, not heavy. Not hard rock. The root of the record is based on Americana music. We don't have a drummer, and that's been the biggest influence on the record."

If you can't wait until the Pumpkins finish off their next album, Corgan pointed out that guitarist James Iha will release his first solo offering next month.

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