FYI: Smashing Pumpkins

For now check out enjoy old school Pumpkins with the video for “Rhinoceros”, which is still one of my favorite Pumpkin songs:

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Corgan is suing Virgin because the label used the band’s name in a Amazon and Pepsi promotion, which is understandable.

However, Corgan then contacted the press from Australia, where the Pumpins are currently on tour.

Check out what Corgan had to tell Billboard about the feud with Virgin.

And, check out his interview with Rolling Stone where he discusses the obvious state of the music industry.

I do actually agree with most of what he has to say, but since it comes from Billy, I can’t but help hear the voice of Eric Cartman ringing in my ears as I read the interviews.

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The EP will feature four new tracks, which are entitled “The Rose March”, “Pox”, “Again, Again, Again (The Crux)” and “Sunkissed”. The songs were recorded during a break on the Pumpkins latest tour.

The EP will be released digitally here in the States for now, but a physical version will hit the shelves in international markets sometime in the future.

While I am somewhat interested, Zeitgeist was so unbearable to listen to that I’m probably forced to ignore this release.

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• The Pumpkins first show was on July 8, 1988 at Chicago 21, which featured just Billy Corgan and guitarist James Iha. Bassist D’arcy Wretzky joined next, followed by drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.
• The band sold cassettes of demos at their shows, the series of demos became known as Early 1989 Demos.
• The Pumpkins made their first vinyl appearance on on the Light into Dark, which was a compilation of Chicago alternative bands. They contributed the tracks “My Dahlia” and “Sun”.
• “I Am One” was their first released single in 1990 on Limited Potential.
• “Tristessa” was the band’s second single released  in December of 1990 through Sub Pop.
• The Pumpkins debut album, Gish, was released on May 28, 1991 on Caroline and was reissued by Virgin in 1994.
• The song “Rhinoceros” originally appeared on the Early 1989 Demos; it was part of the Lull EP, as opposed to a CD single.
• The Pumpkins opened up for Guns ‘N’ Roses, Jane’s Addiction and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
• The band contributed the track “Drown” for the Singles soundtrack.
• Siamese Dream was released on July 27, 1993 and has sold over six million copies worldwide.
• A heavier version on “Disarm” can be found on Vieuphoria, which is the band’s VHS of live preformances from 1994.
• The Pumpkins replaced Nirvana as the headliner for the 1994 edition of Lollapalooza, which also featured the Beastie Boys, George Clinton & the P-Funk All Stars, The Breeders, A Tribe Called Quest, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, L7, The Black Crowes, The Flaming Lips, Cypress Hill and Green Day (for only the second half of the tour).
• Pisces Iscariot was released on October 4, 1994 and is a compilation of b-sides, demos and outtakes.
• The band’s double disc, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, was released on October 24, 1995.
• “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” was placed on Clear Channel’s list of possible inappropriate songs after September 11, 2001.
• “Tonight, Tonight” features the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
• Drummer Jimmy Chamberlin was fired during the band’s 1996 after he overdosed with touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin; Melvoin unfortunately passed away.
• The band contributed the track “The End Is the Beginning Is the End” for the classic 1997 flick Batman and Robin.
• Adore was released on June 2, 1998 and only sold just over one million copies.
• Jimmy Chamberlin returned to the band for the 1999 “The Arising” tour.
• Bassist D’arcy departed the band in September of 2000 and was replaced by Hole bassist Melissa Auf de Maur.
• Machina/The Machines of God was released on February 29, 2000.
• On May 23, 2000 Billy Corgan announced on KROQ in L.A. that the Pumpkins were breaking up.
• Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music was released on September 5, 2000 via the internet, and for free.
• The band played a farewell show at the Metro in Chicago on December 2, 2000.
• On April 20, 2006 the band announced it’s reunion, but with just Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin.
• Zeitgeist was released on July 6, 2007 and debuted at number two on the Billboard charts.
• The song “Doomsday Clock” also appeared on the Transformers soundtrack.
• Corgan and Chamberlin plan to record a new album after the band’s tour wraps up.

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Among the new dates are an additional show in Philly, as well as stops in Athens, GA, Greensboro, NC, Columbia, SC, and festival appearances in New Orleans and Miami.

The Pumpkins kicked off their North American tour in Montreal on September 8 and will remain on the road until November 11.

For a full list of dates and ticket information, check out their official site.

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The Inland Invasion will feature The Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, Velvet Revolver, Kid Rock, Chris Cornell, Satellite Party, Cypress Hill, Hot Hot Heat, Against Me! and Paramore.

Tickets are very reasonably priced at $35, $65 and $85. What a deal.

If I lived in the L.A. area I would be at this show in a flash. Seriously, The Pumpkins, Foos, VR, Cornell and Satellite Party in one day, it’s too good to be true. Sure, you may have to put up with Kid Rock, but nothing is perfect.

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The Pumpkins have already toured Europe, as well as some shows here in the States; including residences in Asheville and San Francisco and festival appearances at Live Earth and Virgin Festival in Baltimore. The band will take a week off before heading to Sweden on August 12. Their North American tour will kick off on September 8 in Montreal and wraps up in Nashville on November 5.

The tour will mainly be at festivals and theatres. With no scheduled shows in cities such as New York or L.A., they could be adding more dates or planning to do a bigger tour some time next year. While I’m not too fond of the new album, the shows may be worth catching if you have the extra cash and nothing better to do.

Also, some of these shows have already sold out, so check out the Pumpkins site for more info and the full itinerary. 

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This year the Smashing Pumpkins will headline the radio station sponsored show, which is a stop on the band’s fall reunion tour. Also on the bill will be the legendary Social Distortion, Perry Ferrell’s new project Satellite Party, The Used and the fantastic Bright Eyes. For Bright Eyes this is only one of two scheduled in the States; the other show being at the Hollywood Bowl on September 29. Besides the main-stage, there will also be the What’s Next Stage and The Young and Restless Local Stage.

Tickets are a steal at only $39.50 a piece. As if Seattle wasn’t cool enough the city gets a great show too. So, if you live in Seattle or looking for a little get away, I would check this festival out, it should be a good one.

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The first problem is Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin going White Stripes style and becoming a duo on Zeitgeist. There is no depth in the music without any other musicians and Corgan’s guitar solos get stale real fast, as well as, his back up vocals which generate an unpleasant annoyance. In fact, the album gets boring about half way through.

The second problem is the band is trying to please fans from every era, which creates an album with no originality. While everything from Adore and on may have not been fantastic, at least the band was trying something different, while most of their peers relied on familiar music. Zeitgeistat times sounds like Billy trying to rekindle the spark that put the Pumpkins on the map, but it seems tried and flat. In fact, it even sounds as if Billy is trying to rip off other artists with the songs “Starz”, which as lines similar to Moby’s “We Are All Made of Stars” and the last track “Pomp and Circumstance” that reminds me of the Flaming Lips’ “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song”.

The third problem is Billy’s lackluster attempt at trying to make social or political statements. For example, the track “United States” which is 9:52 too long. Billy should write songs that focus on his own tormented soul before making music that should be left up to bands like Pearl Jam.

Of course, there are still some decent tracks on Zeitgeist. The opening track “Doomsday Clock” is pretty good and the first single “Tarantula” could be the best song on the album. Other standouts include “That’s The Way (My Love Is)”, the semi-loungy “Neverlost” and the unique “For God and Country”.

It’s great to the Smashing Pumpkins releasing new music, but let’s face it, Billy Corgan’s ego has officially sealed the fate of one of the greatest bands from the 90’s.

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So, “Doomsday Clock” has been floating around the web for bit, so maybe some of you have heard it. It seems to be getting mixed reviews from fans, some love it and others can’t stand it. I think it’s a pretty solid rock track and honestly what would you expect from Billy Corgan? Was he ever really that great? Sure, I like most of the Pumpkins music, but nothing was ever classified as a musical masterpiece. It was just typical Pumpkins, not awful but not amazing.

And that’s what “Doomsday Clock” is, a loud track with a grown up Eric Cartman leading the way and there is nothing wrong with that. Because so far the two tracks that I’ve heard from Zeitgeist aren’t that bad and the album could be Billy’s best since Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Without high expectations “Doomsday Clock”, and the album, could actually surprise you. And I’ll admit it, this song kind of makes me look forward to Zeitgeist.

Judge for yourself.

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