Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan lamented the state of alternative rock in a one-on-one conversation with writer Brian Solis at South by Southwest earlier this week, asserting that “posers” have replaced authentic artists. “[Artists who achieve breakthrough success today] have grown up thinking that being famous is the 
goal,” he said. “Not to be respected, not to be dangerous.” Corgan went on to say, “Don’t call it rock ’n’ roll. I was part of a generation that changed the world – and it was taken over by posers.”
In a subsequent interview, conducted at SXSW’s Samsung Blogger Lounge, Corgan talked about the impact social media has had on the music industry. “The music business is shamefully behind the curve as far as understanding the effects that social media has on the business,” Corgan said. “They just treated it like it was a curse and a plague upon them. And I was one of the first people to stand up and say, ‘No, this is a great thing.’”
Corgan had little to say about his new music with Smashing Pumpkins. The band’s new album, Oceania, is set to be released in June.
