Billy Corgan admitted that he paid a hacker a ransom so he won’t leak several songs from Smashing Pumpkins’ “rock opera” album.
In an interview with KROQ’s Klein/Ally Show, Corgan revealed that while forwarding the tracks to the mixers and masters, they fell into the wrong hands. As a result, the hacker had nine songs and was ready to leak them. He was able to find the hacker and stop the leak because of the FBI.
Corgan said these songs were the most “catchy single-y, type songs.” He added that leaking those records was “essentially giving away the record before you even have a chance to have your feet on the ground.” With the help of the FBI, they tracked down the threat actor who was selling the files for cash and pay him off to prevent any further leaks.
Billy Corgan Paid out of his Pocket
The American singer added that he paid the ransom out of is own pocket. Reiterating the need for swift action on is part, he added that paying up was the only way to prevent a large-scale leak. The was a “mercenary who hacked a member of the production team.
The hacker also had other information from other artists. Despite not knowing the “end result” of the probe, Corgan claimed that the mercenary hacker had access to more “shocking” leaks, such as “classic stuff from past bands probably doing reissues.”
Corgan concluded that fans and other informants provided information to the FBI. Due to this, the security agency found the hacker.
In other News
The last act of ATUM (pronounced “autumn”), which was released today, May 5, was issued independently of the others. It is the follow-up to the Smashing Pumpkins album CYR from 2020. Along with Stone Temple Pilots and Interpol, Corgan will start “The World is a Vampire Tour” in August. Through StubHub, orders come with a 100% guarantee thanks to the FanProtect Program.
