Billy Corgan Infinitely Sad About Pavement Drama

Smashing Pumpkins and Pavement are scheduled to perform at “Planeta Terra Festival” at the Playcenter in Sao Paulo, Brazil, this Saturday. Corgan is not pleased about the lineup, which also features Of Montreal, Mika, Hot Chip, Yeasayer, Phoenix, Passion Pit, Girl Talk and Empire Of The Sun.

“Just found out SP is playing with Pavement in Brazil. It’s gonna be 1 of those New Orleans type funerals,” Corgan tweeted Friday. “I say that because they represent the death of the alternative dream, and we follow with the affirmation of life part.

“Funny how those who pointed the big finger of ‘sell out’ are the biggest offenders now … Yawn. They have no love. By the way, we’ll be the band up there playing NEW songs because we have the love xx”

Pavement broke up in 1999 then reunited earlier this year for a world tour that kicked off in March in New Zealand.

Corgan’s issue with the band dates back to the release of Pavement’s 1994 album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. The album’s third single, “Range Life,” name-drops the Pumpkins with the following lyrics:

“Out on tour with the Smashing Pumpkins/Nature kids, They don’t have no function/I don’t understand what they mean/And I could really give a f**k”

Corgan was reportedly so upset about the tune that he convinced Lollapalooza festival organizers to kick Pavement off the 1994 lineup.

“We were up for Lollapalooza in ‘94 and Smashing Pumpkins said, ‘No, if Pavement does it, we’re not doing it.’” Pavement guitarist Scott “Spiral Stairs” Kannberg told WildWeb.com in 1999 (via Spin.com).

In another 1999 interview Pavement singer Stephen Malkmus told NY Rock magazine that the band wasn’t trying to diss the Pumpkins.

“I only laughed about the band name, because it does sound kinda silly … And well, their status, that they were the indie darlings, the heroes of the indie scene. I never really dissed their music. I like their songs – well, most of their songs anyway. Especially ‘1979,’ that’s a cool song. As I said, I never dissed their music. I just dissed their status. I never really cared for the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle or being ‘indie.’”

Pollstar readers – what are you thoughts on the feud?

Personally I’m all for holding a grudge when warranted but Corgan needs to get over it. Besides, “Range Life” is such a great song. Maybe Corgan is just upset that he no longer has the power to kick Pavement off of a festival lineup. And should Corgan really be complaining about another band’s reunion tour when he’s the only original member of the Pumpkins left in the group?

Click here for Billy Corgan’s Twitter page.

Click here for the Spin.com story.