Singer calls Radiohead 'pompous' as band stream their Oceania album online
David Renshaw

12:07 12th June 2012

Billy Corgan has slammed Radiohead, calling them out for what he perceives as 'popmposity' and criticising guitarist Johnny Greenwood for being overrated.

The Smashing Punpkins frontman has a long list of musicians who he has criticised, today adding Thom Yorke's band to the list. Speaking to Antiquiet about his reputation for criticising others, the lead singer reportedly said:

” I can’t think of any people outside of Weird Al Yankovic who have both embraced and pissed on Rock more than I have. Obviously there’s a level of reverence, but there’s also a level of intelligence to even know what to piss on. ‘Cause I’m not pissing on Rainbow. I’m not pissing on Deep Purple. But I’ll piss on f*ckin’ Radiohead, because of all this pomposity. This value system that says Jonny Greenwood is more valuable than Ritchie Blackmore. Not in the world I grew up in, buddy. Not in the world I grew up in. "

Getting into things, Corgan continued:
 
“So I find myself defending things. Is Ritchie Blackmore a better guitar player than me and Jonny Greenwood? Yes. Have we all made contributions? Yes. I’m not attacking that. I’m attacking the pomposity that says this is more valuable than that. I’m sick of that. I’m so fucking sick of it, and nobody seems to tire of it.”

Meanwhile, The Smashing Pumpkins are streaming their new album 'Oceania' online via iTunes. Released next week (June 18) the album can be heard here now.


Photo: WENN