Pitchfork: Billy Corgan Announces Tour Plans

Billy Corgan is about to embark on an extensive tour in support of his upcoming solo debut, TheFutureEmbrace. A post on his website proudly proclaims, "Fans should expect a vibrant aural and visual experience that reflects the panoramic sound and push-and-pull tension of TheFutureEmbrace album." Hey, stop snickering.

As previously reported, the record arrives June 21 on Warner Brothers, preceded by a single for "Walking Shade", and features a handful of notable guests, including Robert Smith (backing vocals on the Bee Gees cover "To Love Somebody"), and longtime ally Jimmy Chamberlain, who drums on "DIA". Though Corgan's last album of new material-- 2003's lone Zwan LP, Mary, Star of the Sea-- left some of us wondering whether the one-time grunge prince was destined for a life of lukewarm Pumpkins rehashes, an April 13 post from Corgan conveniently assured, "All who have heard the album have really enjoyed it, which is a wonderful surprise :)" Yes, Billy Corgan uses smiley faces. We're as upset as you are. Tracks:

01 All Things Change
02 Mina Loy (M.O.H.)
03 TheCameraEye
04 To Love Somebody
05 A100
06 DIA
07 Now (and Then)
08 I'm Ready
09 Walking Shade
10 Sorrows (in Blue)
11 Pretty, pretty STAR
12 Strayz

Though the site promises an eventual eight-week trek through 10 European countries and the U.S. (including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago), right now only two weeks of European June shows are confirmed.

06-01 Lisbon, Portugal - Aula Magna
06-04 Barcelona, Spain - Apolo
06-06 Milan, Italy - Alcatraz Club
06-08 Gent, Belgium - Vooruit
06-09 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
06-10 Paris, France - La Cigale
06-11 Cologne, Germany - Live Music Hall
06-15 London, England - Forum
06-16 London, England - Forum
06-17 Dublin, Ireland - Ambassador Theatre

Meanwhile, over the past few weeks Corgan has started posting an autobiography of sorts in blog-like form elsewhere on his website, offering a typically emotional assessment of his musical journey-- including juicy Pumpkins/Zwan gossip-- as well as glimpses into his family history. As Corgan explained to the Chicago Tribune this April, "There is a point to making a public confession. People from the outside would look at me, and say, 'What's his problem? Why's he such a jerk?' I feel if I tell the whole story, most people will understand why I did what I did. Why wait? I could die tomorrow."