Smashing Pumpkins star Billy Corgan has criticized reunited rockers Soundgarden for staging a comeback, insisting the move must have been motivated by money.

The Black Hole Sun hit-makers regrouped last year for the first time since their 1997 split, and they are currently performing shows across the globe but Corgan wasn't impressed by the reunion.

He tells Philippines website Philstar.com, "There are those bands that are essentially coming back only to make money - playing their old albums, and maybe somewhere in the back of their minds they're thinking there might be a future..."

"I am not in that business, obviously. I condemn anybody who's in that business but doesn't admit (that they are) in that business. When Soundgarden came back and they just played their old songs, great. I was a fan of Soundgarden, but call it for what it is."

"They're just out there to have one more round at the till; same with Pavement and these other bands."