Billy Corgan recently opened up about the creative process behind Smashing Pumpkins’ latest album, Aghori Mhori Mei, revealing his intention to recapture the essence of the band’s early sound.
“I was just focused on writing riffs—no vocals, just riffs,” Corgan shared during an interview on Loudwire Nights with Chuck Armstrong. He explained how he and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin experimented with riffs reminiscent of their earlier albums like Siamese Dream, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, and Gish. “It was interesting; we were just playing around with the idea,” Corgan said.
As they worked on the album, Corgan found himself drawing parallels between what they were attempting and the work of Motley Crue in the ’80s. “I started talking about Motley Crue—especially their Too Fast For Love and Shout at the Devil albums,” he recalled. “They were trying to do glam rock like Sweet and early Bowie, but it came out as this raw, visceral version because they hadn’t really studied those records.”
This realization struck a chord with Corgan. “We couldn’t be Led Zeppelin, but we could do the Pumpkins’ version of Led Zeppelin or Soundgarden,” he explained.
Reflecting on the challenge of recreating the band’s earlier sound, Corgan noted the difference between the artist he was 30 years ago and who he is today. “You have to reconnect with what made you want to rock in the first place,” he said, citing influences like Black Sabbath and Dio. “Not the polished, 30-years-later version, but the kind of riff that would make you risk everything, get in the van, and drive all over America.”
Corgan’s commitment to channeling that raw energy and passion into Aghori Mhori Mei underscores his enduring connection to the roots of Smashing Pumpkins’ iconic sound.
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