Since using a US concert to recount the story of a 2007 confrontation with Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, Deerhunter‘s Bradford Cox has issued a statement retracting his comments and apologising to Corgan for recounting the story shortly after the death of his friend, Scott Weiland.
In his statement (via Pitchfork), Cox says his recent 15-minute recounting of his confrontation with Corgan, in which he said the muso has a “fucking anal mouth”, was not meant to defame.
“What I did was open my big fucking mouth and go off on one of my usual tangents. Some people call this ‘stage banter’,” Cox says.
“I do not need, or seek any attention, and in fact was embarrassed that this ended up being uploaded to Youtube, and then considered a news story.
“I will be the first to admit that there are two sides to every story and it is unfair that I gave mine without the other party being there to counter.”
Cox goes on to say that after Deerhunter’s recent show in Asheville, North Carolina, he went to the tour bus and read about the “tragic” death of former Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland, who died earlier this week aged 48.
Cox says he happened upon Corgan’s “very moving and heartfelt tribute to his deceased friend”, and adds that he doesn’t find any humour in “kicking someone while they are down”.
“Bringing up a half-remembered interaction from so many years ago was not beneficial to anyone, especially if it causes someone who is already going through a dark moment to feel slandered or attacked,” Cox says. “I feel very insensitive and stupid in that regard.”
Cox says he was sharing his recollection of the altercation with Corgan, and categorically retracts his statements “out of respect”.
“I respect anyone who has worked hard playing music for decades, seen their band fall apart because of things out of their control, continued to try to pursue artistic interests and had ups and downs,” Cox says.
“It would be completely hypocritical for me to imply that I have never been just as much of an asshole to people around me than I accused Corgan of being. Who am I to cast stones in a glass house?
“In all earnestness I offer Corgan my apologies and my empathy during what I imagine is a difficult time with the loss of his friend.”
Catch Cox’s full statement below, and watch him recount the 2007 water bottle confrontation at the centre of it all right here.
Bradford Cox’s Statement Apologising To Billy Corgan
Firstly, I would like to say that my intention was not to defame Billy Corgan. What I did was open my big fucking mouth and go off on one of my usual tangents. Some people call this “stage banter.” I do not need, or seek any attention, and in fact was embarrassed that this ended up being uploaded to Youtube, and then considered a news story. The story I told was just a contextual rap about something that happened at the venue we were playing – 8 years ago. I will be the first to admit that there are two sides to every story and it is unfair that I gave mine without the other party being there to counter.
The thing that bothered me most about this incident was that after I got off stage I went to the bus and was reading about Scott Weiland’s death (which I find very tragic) and happened upon Corgan’s very moving and heartfelt tribute to his deceased friend. I do not find any humor in kicking someone while they are down. Bringing up a half-remembered interaction from so many years ago was not beneficial to anyone, especially If it causes someone who is already going through a dark moment to feel slandered or attacked. I feel very insensitive and stupid in that regard.
As far as what was said at the show, I prefaced it all by saying it was my recollection of the events. As Corgan’s management has confirmed, it is all on video. I would like to avoid any further drama by just categorically retracting my statements out of respect. I respect anyone who has worked hard playing music for decades, seen their band fall apart because of things out of their control, continued to try to pursue artistic interests and had ups and downs. Perhaps I met Corgan and his crew at an especially difficult time for him. It would be completely hypocritical for me to imply that I have never been just as much of an asshole to people around me than I accused Corgan of being. Who am I to cast stones in a glass house?
I don’t know Billy Corgan other than a 5 minute interaction that left a definite impression on me. I have no doubt there are many sides to his character. My statement was my recollection of the events mixed with some humor. It was meant to be taken as casual stage banter. Not defamation or slander. The easiest thing for me to do to kill this story and hopefully avoid anymore drama is to admit it now. I was tacky and I retract my statements. If the video from 2007 ever does surface I will be very interested to see how my memory matches or contradicts reality.
In all earnestness I offer Corgan my apologies and my empathy during what I imagine is a difficult time with the loss of his friend.
