Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, now going under the name William Patrick Corgan, has released his new silent film Pillbox on Youtube. The film is visual accompaniment to his latest solo release Ogilala. The film, written and directed by Corgan, was inspired by the hero’s journey and takes place along a non-linear storyline. Ogilala has also been fully included with Pillbox on YouTube, meaning that fans can listen to both at the same time, something Corgan undoubtedly intended by uploading the two together. Corgan has been working on creating his unique visual style for the album with Pillbox, as well as the release of the music video to the album’s first single, the visually stunning “Aeronaut.”
Corgan worked with the legendary producer Rick Rubin on Ogilala, record that sees him stripping down his layered guitar tones for more sparse production techniques. The album has received a warm response from the music community (you can check out mxdwn’s review here), and the record features a reunion with James Iha, who plays guitar on two tracks. Iha and Corgan were members of the most well-known lineup of the Smashing Pumpkins during their breakthrough in the 90’s before internal tension tore the band apart in 2000. While Corgan has reformed the band neither Iha or bassist D’arcy Wretzky were part of it, leading fans to clamor for reunion of the original lineup. Corgan has remarked recently that he would be open to the idea, but first, they would all have to work through their differences and make peace before anything could happen.
Corgan, also known for his outspoken political views and his feud with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, recently appeared on the Howard Stern Show to talk about the conflict and his views on conspiracy theories and his support of noted conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
You can watch Pillbox (and listen to Ogilala) in the player below.
Photo credit Raymond Flotat
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