Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan Defends Occupy Protesters

Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan Defends Occupy Protesters

2011-11-21

Story by Anne Erickson

Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan goes to Twitter to support Occupy protesters

Smashing Pumpkins main man Billy Corgan is joining socially aware musicians such as Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello and Zack de la Rocha by defending the Occupy protesters. In a Tweet sent from his official account on Nov. 19, Corgan expressed his distaste for the violence that’s breaking out in some participating cities, including how some members of the police are using force to break down the demonstrations.

Corgan Tweeted, “I ask kindly that those protesting with Occupy be treated with dignity. To preach about freedom we must lead by example / NO VIOLENCE!” He then tweeted a YouTube video of police spraying students with pepper spray to move out of the way at a protest, with the comment, “NO NO NO.” Lastly, Corgan commented on the video, stating, “If i write NO VIOLENCE that goes all ways / violence against the cops won’t solve anything/nor will violence against protestors / CLEAR ENOUGH?” So, Corgan is undoubtedly on the side of the protesters and passionate about it to boot.

As for the musical side of Corgan and the Smashing Pumpkins, the band are set to reissue 1991’s Gish and 1993’s Siamese Dream on Nov. 29. Both feature re-mastering by Bob Ludwig and present all of the songs from the original albums, plus a second CD choc-full of rare and never-before-released material. Deluxe editions offer DVDs of concerts filmed at Chicago’s Metro from August 1990 and August 1993. The set is a must-hand for any Smashing Pumpkins fan on your Christmas list, and it should hold over fans until the band’s long-awaited, upcoming album, Oceania, reaches stores and online in 2012. (Featured image: Smashing Pumpkins via Facebook.)

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Anne Erickson

Meet the expert - Author, writer and editor Anne Erickson is a Detroit-based reporter and radio host. She has written for the USA Today Network, Consequence.net, Blabbermouth.net, and many more. Anne holds a master's degree from Michigan State University. Contact Anne at anne@audioinkradio.com.

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