Why he chose to go on with the Pumpkins name: "The simple answer is that when I decided to write and record again under the name the Smashing Pumpkins in 2005, I committed myself 100 pct. 100pct of my mind-body-soul to come back and make the band really be great again, and I feel in tune to SP in a way I haven't felt in tune probably since 1995 or 1996. As they say in No Limit Poker, I'm 'all in.' I'm not going to back out of the challenge in front of me now."

On his misunderstood method acting: Corgan describes his many onstage personas (zero, the white spider, the sad guy, the vampyre) as akin to characters in a TV show and notes that he doesn't think it's inauthentic to play-act while performing. "That to me IS what rock and roll is about," he wrote. "But many lack the sophistication to appreciate that just because I play a baby-faced killa upon the darkened stage that it doesn't come close to who I really am. I would point very gently to the diversity and complexity of my artistic work to give you some sense of who Billy Corgan really is (that is a joking 3rd person by the way). Part-alien, part-human, part-robot, part-star-crossed lover and part-mercury filled apparently if one was to read the songs in that way."

More bands!: Corgan said he is contemplating starting two other bands and releasing more solo work, but he's keeping them under wraps until he can secure the appropriate Web site domain names first. "The general idea is the work of the other groups and solo may intertwine with the SP album as far as a release schedule would go. But I'm all ready ahead of myself there."

New drummer: While never once mentioning good pal and former drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, Corgan says he's gotten more than 1,000 applications to date for the first round of drummer auditions slated to take place on April 14, during which he'll play bass with the auditioners.

A new way to release albums: Corgan, who has said he doesn't plan to release an old-fashioned album again, explained that he would like to release one song at a time over a period of two to three years, adding up to a box set that would also include an "art movie" of the album. "My thinking is that if I focus on one song at a time I would approach them as beautiful, distinct paintings that would each require the attention they deserve," he said. "This would also mean I would choose what I am recording quite carefully as there would be tremendous internal pressure to get it just right, and that is the kind of pressure I like, which is to make the most beautiful thing possible." The first song could hit in September.

That whole ranting-at-shows thing: "If you see BC out there griping, it is only because I have failed to set the proper conditions to be in the love and light with you," he said. "The fan is NOT responsible in any way, shape, or form for my happiness or my ability to do my job. (Nor have they ever been.) If I have given that impression to any of you through the years I am sorry about that. That was an error on my part. When a fan comes to an SP show we owe it to you to put on the best show possible, rain or shine. I believe the days of standing on a stage somewhere in the world feeling torn about why I am up there are over." From now on, he promised, Pumpkins shows will be all about "peace from this day forward." 

So I heard you're looking for a new drummer. And in a manner befitting of a guy who called his last album Zeitgeist, you've taken to the Internet to find this person. This is a very big deal to me, as I have always been a die-hard Smashing Pumpkins fan (despite writing this column in 2007 ), which is why I'm here to help you in your search.

I don't know if you're aware of this or not, but there are lots of drummers on the Internet. And most of them are probably going to be emailing you their "resume, photograph/headshot [and] any music/audio showcasing [their] talents," like it says on the Pumpkins Web site. Most of these drummers are totally not fit to carry Jimmy Chamberlain's timpani mallet … amateur bashers who just want the fame and glory that comes with (maybe) playing on an upcoming Pumpkins' album.

But there are some who are worthy. And since I care so deeply, I've trolled through thousands of hours of clips to find five of them. After the jump, you'll find your next drummer. I promise.

1. omnip0tent1: Not only does this kid have an awesome YouTube name, but he's "been playing drums ~6 months" and he sort of rocks on "Bullet With Butterfly Wings." He plays in shorts, just like Travis Barker. Also, check out the sweet tapestry behind him. That should make him a mortal lock for the gig.

2. techfreakazoid: He looks like your accountant's son, he plays on an electric kit and he's not old enough to remember Adore. Sign this kid up immediately. At the very least, he can do spreadsheets for you.

3. Joshua Hui: The so-called "five-year-old rock star." He can handle business on "Sweet Child O' Mine." And he will totally up the cute-factor of the band, something that's been sadly missing since Melissa Auf der Maur departed. If he's late for practice, you could totally send him to time out. Could also take over some of the "on-stage temper tantrum" duty for you.

4. austinhostetter: As he puts it himself, "this is honestly the worst drum playing I've ever done, but I had fun." Ringo Starr has been getting by on this logic for almost fifty years now.

5. The Cadbury Gorilla: This dude is already an Internet sensation, and he positively kills Phil Collins' "In The Air Tonight." Plays with passion, power and finesse. Also, let’s face it, dude, you probably need a simian in the band at this point.

Almost from the moment they burst out of the fertile early 1990s Chicago alt-rock scene, the whispers about the Smashing Pumpkins were that they were a one-man show. Despite guitarist James Iha's considerable chops and pop songwriting sensibility, bassist D'arcy Wretzky's charismatically stoic persona and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin's jazzy yet muscular touch, the Pumpkins were and always would be singer/songwriter Billy Corgan's baby.

Now, thanks to this weekend's unexplained ouster of Billy's longtime foil and last fellow original member, Chamberlin, Corgan is truly the Axl Rose of alternative rock. He's the Trent Reznor of overblown guitar bands. The ... oh, you get the point.

Fans had already been a bit iffy about Corgan reuniting the "band" three years ago when he announced that he and Chamberlin would be touring (and recording) under the venerable group's name. But with at least 50 percent of the original members on board, many seemed willing to overlook it.

(Take a look at how the Smashing Pumpkins have changed over the years.)

Still, a number of them commented on the new 25 percent rule on the Pumpkins' official Web site and, well, except for the ones who thought it was an elaborate April Fool's Day plot, they were mostly not happy. "Saw the pumpkins sans Jimmy (after his drug fiasco) and then saw them later without D'arcy," wrote lockchuk. "This seems very different though as Billy is technically solo. You do not see Chris Cornell trying to tour under the Soundgarden name. ... A band consists of people making music together. Each leaves their own fingerprint (style of drumming, edge of guitar. etc.). Love the Pumpkins but I will now see this as Billy solo until the band starts making music together again."

The message was a bit more obscure from ludvig_steen, who wrote, "It really is time for Billy to call the band quits but it would be a true shame if he would retire from music. My suggestion is that he would take some inspiration from Swedish national icon and Rock legend Joakim Thå'ström (I know you have never heard of him and neither has Billy but bare with me on this one). The similarities between the two and willingness to change is rather striking. This guy has been in 4 nationally iconic outfits (ranging from industrial to punk to alt rock). Today at the age of 52 he releases records in his own name (still truly cutting edge and doing what the f--- he wants) and takes all of his songs (this is were it gets interesting) on the road. This means that he has the freedom to pick songs from over 30 years of recording."

Others, like Darcio, seemed untroubled by the news, reminding Corgan that he can make great songs on his own and using the band's iconic Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness double album as an example of a work (allegedly) recorded almost entirely by the frontman.

And then there was Ugly66, who explained, "A band is a group of individuals. One person is a solo act. This is very simple math here, people."

After a tour that included Corgan frequently clashing with fans and lashing out in unpredictable ways, the Great Pumpkin is heading back into the studio in the spring with his current roster of anonymous backup musicians to record the first album from Pumpkins 3.0. Perhaps Corgan said it best in a rant he posted on December 9, explaining to those fans complaining about not hearing the old hits, "Our message has been consistent: don't ask us to do or be anything that will once again lead to the death of the band. The band's survival comes first. ... We are here to stay."

Whatever you say, Billy. After all, you are the boss.

Do you think the Smashing Pumpkins are still the Smashing Pumpkins, or should Billy pick a new name?

"For years, we always dealt with this idea that some guy in some office somewhere was going to make a decision we wouldn't have any control over, and now, that's not a problem anymore," Corgan said about being free from the shackles of the majors. "I never gave a sh--, but when they gave a sh--, it was a problem."

According to Chamberlin, the freedom hasn't affected the band's creative output, but being under a label did. Chamberlin said the band is constantly writing material and plans to release its eighth album in the not-so-distant future. First, though, the Pumpkins have their tour to take care of. Corgan said they'll be playing the new single a lot on this upcoming run, because when they played the track on their last tour, "People tore their hair out."

But this tour will be unique, since the Pumpkins plan to play some of the biggest cities on their itinerary more than once. "We're playing two nights in some of the big cities, and we'll be playing two different shows, with two different sets," Corgan said. "Forty-five songs spread out over each set. The first night's set will be darker and heavier, and the second night will be lighter and transcendental."

The tour kicks off November 1 in Cleveland and hits Toronto; New York; Boston; Atlantic City; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; St. Louis; and San Diego, before wrapping in Los Angeles on December 3.

According to NME.com, Corgan's suit claims Lester Cohn's work wasn't up to snuff, and that the filmmaker's holding the footage hostage until he's paid for his time.
Corgan's suit seeks more than $100,000 in damages. Cohn was hired from 2003 to 2005, to document the band's return, but Corgan insists the end result was "completely unsatisfactory and not completed in a professional, workmanlike manner in accordance with the standards of a music filmmaker."