Despite over 30 years of rage, we remain Rats in a Cage, thankfully with some low-dust bedding, fresh water, and an epic album from The Smashing Pumpkins to keep us company.
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The band has announced their plans to celebrate three decades of Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness, with a two-set show making its way across the country later this year. Frontman Billy Corgan checked in with KROQ’s Klein/Ally Show to give us details on the tour, their upcoming headlining slot at Lollapalooza, and of course, who would win in a wrestling match between the Pumpkins and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
“Oh, the Peppers,” Corgan said without hesitation. “Yeah, no doubt. They're all in good shape. They all dance around naked. No, it's the Peppers all day. We're going down.”
Back to the task at hand, Billy shared details of the "two shows for one" format of the Rats in a Cage tour. The first set is a 75-minute block of "all ‘Mellon Collie’ stuff," followed by a short intermission, and then a second set dedicated to "deep cuts and hits." Corgan views this demanding format as a way to push the band to "take it up another level" for their growing audience of "great young fans." He also explains that this approach was years in the making, as previous attempts to do a Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness retrospective were rejected because promoters wanted them to play the entire album straight through, which he felt was too much for the audience.
First, The Smashing Pumpkins will headline Lollapalooza in Chicago after more than 30 years, with Corgan revealing that prior offers were never for the headlining slot, which he found crazy for a band in their hometown.
“The offers would occasionally be there, but was never to headline,” he admits. “And I was like how do we come back and play Lolla in Chicago and not be a headliner.”
“So the stars are finally aligned in that. We're very grateful.”
For much more from Billy Corgan, check out the full conversation above.
Plus, who would win in a wrestling match vs. the Red Hot Chili Peppers?
Plus, who would win in a wrestling match vs. the Red Hot Chili Peppers?
