Known for not mincing his words, Billy Corgan was in true form this morning (Dec. 9) during an interview on ‘The Howard Stern Show.’ The Smashing Pumpkins frontman discussed everything from the current state of the record industry and Pearl Jam as an inferior band to ex-girlfirend Courtney Love and, of course, the Pumpkins' brand-new album, ‘Monuments to an Elegy.’

‘Monuments’ -- the second installment of the band’s ongoing album cycle -- dropped today, and the Chicago alt-rock singer conceded, “I don’t even know why I’m putting out an album.”

Corgan is, of course, referring to the present state of the record industry and a decreased value in albums and overall music sales. But it’s not just any album -- it’s the Pumpkins’ ninth album in their 15-year career.

When Stern asked why, then, the singer-songwriter bothers to continue putting out new music, Corgan said it’s because he loves making music, but also because he loves the competition of the record industry and producing music alongside his contemporaries.

In the interview, Corgan included Nirvana among those contemporaries, but what about Pearl Jam?

“No, not even close,” the singer replied, adding that the Eddie Vedder-fronted band is “absolutely” derivative.

“I think if you stack my songs up; Cobain’s songs up and [Pearl Jam’s] songs, they don’t have the songs,” Corgan explained.

Corgan applauded Pearl Jam for continuing to maintain such a monster arena act over the years, but when Stern asked if the Pumpkins frontman was still friends with Vedder, Corgan said no.

“I haven’t been in a social frame with the guy,” he said.

Corgan went on to say that two singers’ friendship shifted as a side effect of fame. “I think a lot of people are transformed by fame,” he told Stern. “I knew one person and then there was another person.”

When asked whose songs he does admire, Corgan cited Kurt Cobain, but admitted their shared romantic involvement with Courtney Love complicated their relationship.

“He was living with my ex-girlfriend,” Corgan remarked. But did the Nirvana frontman “steal” Corgan’s girlfriend?

“No, I threw her out of my apartment,” the singer laughed.

Listen to the revealing interview in its entirety in the video above, and you’ll also hear the Pumpkins perform ‘One and All’ from their new album, along with a cover of David Bowie’s ‘Fame.’

And if you want more of Corgan’s fascinating details of life in the ‘90s grunge limelight, the frontman says he’s in the midst of writing a “massive” memoir.