Billy Corgan Tells Off Younger Generation of 'Poseurs'

Smashing Pumpkins icon Billy Corgan isn't impressed with the new generation of 'poseurs,' reports Billboard. The 44-year-old singer -- far from hitting Grumpy Old Man territory -- ripped apart younger musicians during a SXSW interview Monday (March 12), claiming he'd have to set himself on fire on YouTube to get noticed in the music industry.

Never one to hold back, Corgan compared current-day musical success to prostitution, telling author Brian Solis that "[once you make that deal] you're just the fresh stripper."

"[Artists that break through now] have grown up thinking that being famous is the goal," he said. "Not to be respected -- not to be dangerous."

Despite his frustrations with the current state of music, Corgan conceded that his own success story was less than ideal, suggesting that he'd made a deal with the devil back in the day.

"I knew I was being exploited," he said, "but there was a Faustian bargain to be made."

Corgan was more forgiving when it came to mainstream sensation Lana Del Rey who received harsh reviews for her 'Saturday Night Live' performance in January. "It doesn't surprise me that she crashed and burned, because she wasn't ready for it," he said. "I didn't think it was that bad."

Corgan has released eight albums with the Smashing Pumpkins since 1988. The band are set to release their ninth record, 'Oceania,' this spring. The upcoming "album within an album" will be a part of their partially-released 44-track concept album 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope.'

Bottom line? "Don't call it rock and roll," Corgan said. "I was part of a generation that changed the world -- and it was taken over by poseurs."

Watch the Smashing Pumpkins' 'The Everlasting Gaze' Video