August 24, 2007 12:48

Trent Reznor slams Smashing Pumpkins ahead of festival link-up

Bands come face to face at Carling Weekend: Reading And Leeds Festivals

Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor has slammed Smashing Pumpkins’ comeback – just before the bands share a bill at The Carling Weekend: Reading and Leeds festivals.

Reznor’s outfit are second on the bill to the grunge titans in Leeds tonight (August 24) and in Reading on Sunday (26).

The Pumpkins headlined the bash back in 1995, at the height of their commercial success. Frontman Billy Corgan split the band in 2000, but they reconvened last year and released a new album, 'Zeitgeist', in July. However, along with Corgan, the only other previous member of the group who remains is drummer Jimmy Chamberlain.

Reznor told NME.COM: “I was never a big Smashing Pumpkins fan back when they were the Pumpkins, not to shit on Billy (Corgan) or anything but I don’t hear anything that would make me want to care.

“I think trying to resurrect the name Smashing Pumpkins ………its all a bit corporate for me.”

And Reznor admitted he wasn’t overly impressed with the line-up on the day his band are playing, though he did have positive comments to make about the festival in general.

He commented: “I heard the line up for another day and that sounded a lot better than the line up on the day we are playing, so I doubt you will see me on the side of the stage for Fall Out Boy!"

He added: “But it's (Carling Weekend) always seemed the crème de la crème of festivals. This is the definitely the highlight of our tour when it comes up.”

NME.COM will have be bringing you news reports, gossip and blogs throughout the day, so keep checking back for the latest from both sites.