Today is the lamest
Recently re-formed rock band The Smashing Pumpkins haven’t released an album for seven years, but that doesn’t mean front man Billy Corgan hasn’t been following the political pulse of our nation.
| AP |
“I feel like I’m drowning in a bunch of crap,” said the infamously bald crooner at an intimate gig recorded at XM Radio’s D.C. headquarters before only 40people on Tuesday afternoon. “I was basically an obsessive news watcher because I kinda like the drama. But it got to a point where I had to avoid all politics completely. It’s a sort of a shell game for fools.”
The band’s new album, “Zeitgeist,” has a more politically motivated slant than any of the past Pumpkins releases, with songs like “United States” and “For God and Country” spouting off anti-war phrases and asking listeners to “lay down your arms.” The album art features the work of controversial artist Shepard Fairey, creator of the anti-establishment Obey movement. Stuck on the front cover of the album is the Statue of Liberty standing in an ocean of blood.
Of course, the band couldn’t resist a satirical comment on pop culture, pasting a picture of today’s most annoying hotel heiress Paris Hilton atop a growing mushroom cloud.
“Some people hear her name and think it’s funny, some people just go to immediate anger — I think that’s perfect for us,” Corgan said.
The Pumpkins finished their D.C. visit with a gig at the 9:30 Club Tuesday night.
