Anthrax’s Charlie Benante Backs Billy Corgan’s Theory That Rock Music Was Pushed Aside In The Late ’90s

Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante has weighed in on a recent debate sparked by The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, agreeing with the musician’s controversial belief that rock music was intentionally sidelined by the music industry in the late 1990s.

Earlier this year, Corgan discussed the topic on his podcast The Magnificent Others, suggesting that rock and metal’s cultural presence didn’t simply fade naturally, but was deliberately reduced as industry priorities shifted toward genres viewed as more commercially controllable and broadly marketable, including pop, rap, and country.

Corgan pointed to what he described as a noticeable turning point during the late ’90s, particularly around MTV’s programming changes, where rock programming rapidly declined despite the genre’s popularity at the time. While acknowledging that successful and influential artists emerged from the shift, he argued that rock artists gradually lost their cultural voice despite continuing to dominate ticket sales globally.

Benante recently shared his own thoughts during an interview with Hot Metal, revealing that he largely agrees with Corgan’s perspective — and believes structural industry changes played a major role.

“That’s something I’ve been saying for the longest time. He just said it in a more eloquent way, but these gatekeepers who still prevent our type of music from reaching the masses… they don’t give us the chances that they give other music.”

While clarifying that he respects other genres, Benante suggested that rock music has faced long-standing barriers to mainstream exposure compared to pop and country, which he feels receive broader institutional support.

“Rock music still has a voice, there’s a movement. People need to recognize it again for what it is.”

He went on to describe the late ’90s industry shift as a decisive turning point.

“There was a coup.”

Benante also pointed toward consolidation within the radio industry as a potential catalyst, referencing the disappearance of influential rock stations and changing broadcast priorities that reduced exposure for heavier music nationwide. He additionally cited MTV’s move away from rock-focused programming as another major blow to the genre’s visibility.

The discussion arrives amid ongoing conversations about rock’s place in modern culture. While rock and metal tours remain among the strongest ticket sellers worldwide, the genre’s presence in mainstream media, awards shows, and pop culture coverage continues to lag behind its live-performance success — fueling debates like the one now shared by both Corgan and Benante.

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