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Pumpkins to Virgin -- You Sold Us Out!

Posted Mar 25th 2008 9:55AM by TMZ Staff

Billy Corgan The Smashing Pumpkins are slamming Virgin Records in a lawsuit, claiming that the label killed their credibility with fans to help sell sugar water.

In a breach-of-contract lawsuit filed in L.A. Superior Court, the band alleges that they've "worked hard" over two decades to build cred with their fans, and that Virgin's use of the Pun'kins in a "Pepsi Stuff" promotion with Amazon.com and Pepsi Co. is damaging their "artistic integrity." The SP's "That's The Way" was recently featured in a Ford Focus commercial.

The band wants the profits from the promotion, and asks for an injunction against using their name or music in the future.

Virgin did not return calls seeking comment.

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1. That's what happens when you sell your soul to the corporate devils!

Posted at 10:07AM on Mar 25th 2008 by JRS

2. Nothing worse than a virgin pumpkin. I wouldn't trust one.

Posted at 10:07AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Kelli

3. Memo to all rock bands once you sign a contract with the devil he can do anything he wants with your music!!!!!!!

Co-branding: Hooking up with one company to promote multiple products at once. Example Pesi+ Smashing Pumpkins= Virgin Music and Virgin Mega Store and Virgin Airlines. ---Marketing is a b*****

Posted at 10:14AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Fergiebear

4. That's true JRS but if they still used their image in a commercial without authorization then they deserve every penny!

Posted at 10:13AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Brianna

5. OMG, is that whiny B*tch ever gonna stop complaining! He thinks his life if so hard and so awful all the time! Yeah, I'm sure it is Billy. All the girls and cars and money must be so terrible. Get over yourself!!!

Posted at 10:15AM on Mar 25th 2008 by CC

6. Smashin' who?

Posted at 10:15AM on Mar 25th 2008 by CrabbyPantz

7. Are those people the Pepsi dudes? Don't tell me they started a band and trying to make money off those Pepsi ads............What next

Posted at 10:18AM on Mar 25th 2008 by CrabbyPantz

8. They just need to change their name gradually; before long, the fans will be diggin' the tunes while refreshing themselves with a certain brand of soda-pop: Smashing Pumpkins...Smashing Pepsi...Sipping Pepsi. And most importantly, the suits will be happy.

Posted at 10:20AM on Mar 25th 2008 by wasted days and wasted nights

9. Oh get over yourselves Pumpkins. This is what it means to be owned by a Label.

Posted at 10:21AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Kacky

10. CC-You obviously do not know what Billy Corgan is about or the Smashing Pumpkins. In all these years, he has kept his trap shut about many issues, now he speaks up and you call him a whiny bitch? You need to get over YOURSELF. Better yet, put in one of the Smashing Pumpkins platinum selling albums. The songs speak for themselves.

PS-Girls, cars, money? This is Billy Corgan, not Bret Michaels!

Posted at 10:22AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Chicago

11. Type o pepsi. i don't want the spelling police to come and get me!!! Believe me when I tell you they might not see a dime it is all in the contract baby!!! Read the Fine Print.... Page 1 of the Rock Star Handbook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read the Fine Print!!!!!!! Always!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 10:22AM on Mar 25th 2008 by fergiebear

12. Who cares? They suck bad anyways. They should do a commercial for lollipops.

Posted at 10:38AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Nony

13. this is funny to me. Sorry there bud, but if ALL you care about is music and getting your music out to the world...you gave up as soon as you signed that contract. Right then you proved that you want the name and the money too.

If you really just wanted to play your music, you would have stayed in the "i play shows at bars" scene and NOT sold concert tickets for a show at a huge arena.

so...you tainted your own image. Invite someone else to your pity party, im not attending

Posted at 10:49AM on Mar 25th 2008 by iowa girl

14. Waah. He needs to call a waaaaambulance. He should be glad anybody is even interested in his music anymore.

Posted at 11:34AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Michelle

15. Smashing Pumpkins are a fantastic band.

Posted at 11:04AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Shasta D.

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