There are some venues out there that are absolutely magical. When you get to see one of your favorite bands and one of “those” types of venues, don’t hesitate, go see them there. It will be one of those shows in your memory that will always live on and be played in your head. The Santa Barbara bowl is a mystical place. The way it’s nestled inside the hill and the fact that it feels so intimate even being 1/3 the size of the Hollywood Bowl is just icing on the cake. Not to mention the sound at the venue is impecable. I’ve had the pleasure to see a few of my favorite bands there like Nine Inch Nails, Jane’s Addiciton, Stone Temple Pilots, Depeche Mode and now The Smashing Pumpkins.

Over the past few years (pre-pandemic) I rediscovered my love for The Smashing Pumpkins. I remember how it happened too. I was listening to the radio late at night after a long day and night, I couldn’t think of anything to put on so I just went with whatever the radio had on. At that moment, as soon as I turned to the pre-set on my car stereo, the beat for “1979” started and that was that. The song ended just as I got home and that set in motion what would make me fall in love with this band again.

Seeing The Smashing Pumpkins during their 2018 “reunion tour” was magical all on its own from the set list, the visuals, and then some. This night was different then that show. Not only did they pick one of the most absolutely perfect set lists, they were on fire all night long. Songs from the beginning till now made everyone in attendance singing along and dancing. It was amazing to look over the crowd and see how many people were enamored with the brilliance of The Smashing Pumpkins.

Starting off the set was “The Color Of Love” from their most recent and underrated albums in CYR (seriously, it will grow on you and the songs live sound amazing). Then they hit the crowd with “Bullet With Butterfly Wings.” From that point, it was on, the next blast of songs included “Today,” “Ugly (which I’ve loved for years. Even had a few tears of joy drip from my eyes during that one),” “Drown” and “Quiet.” Now I don’t know about you but, what a way to kick off the show. Throughout the night even more great songs were played including “Eye,” “Ava Adore,” “Zero” “Cherub Rock,” Stand Inside Your Love” “1979” “Disarm” and one of the best performances of “Tonight, Tonight” I’ve ever seen with just Billy and James Iha playing. They even played their cover of The Talking Heads “Once In A Lifetime” and that was tremendous. Towards the end of the show two more surprise songs got me good though. “Telegenix” from CYR was played and that just happens to be my favorite song on that album and to close out the night (due to curfew) “X.Y.U.” One of the most fun moments during the show was when Billy put down his guitar to sing and his dance moves were a bit contagious as he had many in the crowd following his moves. Maybe one day we can get some Jimmy Shimmy like in the CYR video.

The Smashing Pumpkins are officially back. Sure they had their ups and downs over the years just like any band does (theirs was a bit more public) but, this renewed sense of the band has them on absolute fire. I highly recommend going through their catalog and the b-sides and discovering all the greatness that is The Smashing Pumpkins. It’s truly amazing that a band like this who has been around for over 30 years can still put out quality music, shows and still be inspired. When The Smashing Pumpkins come back to your town, don’t hesitate, GO SEE THEM LIVE!!!

Set List:

01) The Colour Of Love
02) Bullet With Butterfly Wings
03) Today
04) Ugly
05) Drown
06) Quiet
07) Cyr
08) Once In A Lifetime (Talking Heads Cover)
09) Solara
10) Eye
11) Ava Adore
12) Tonight, Tonight (Acoustic: Billy & James)
13) Stand Inside Your Love
14) Cherub Rock
15) Zero
16) Telegenix
17) FOL
18) 1979
19) Disarm
20) If There Is A God
21) X.Y.U.

By: Brian Lacy

One of my favorite new, up and coming LA bands, Cowboy Destroy just released one hell of a rockin new song in “Dirty.” If you haven’t had the chance to see Cowboy Destroy live yet, I highly suggest it. Their music is a blend of garage rock, indie rock and the right amount of the 90’s. Live they are one hell of a fun band. Their energy is contagious and throughout their set you will find yourself eventually singing along and compelled to start dancing a bit. The video for “Dirty” is an extension of the bands humor and personality. What a great combination. Be on the look out for Cowboy Destroy shows!

Cowboy Destroy- Dirty:

One band from the 80’s that I’ve always enjoyed is Australia’s INXS. I remember being a little kid watching MTV and seeing the video for “Need You Tonight” and really liking the song and wanting a leather jacket like Michael Hutchence had in the video. Their album KICK, is one of the best of the 1980’s and it still holds up quite well today. That album produced so many hit songs (“Need You Tonight, “New Sensation,” and “Never Tear Us Apart.”) and one in particular “Devil Inside” has always stuck out to me. Released as a single in Feb of 1988, it hit number 2 on the Billboard 100 for two weeks. The video for the song was directed by Joel Schumacher (The Lost Boys, Flatliners, Falling Down, Batman Forever). This song is incredible and it’s one of those that should always be played loudly.

INXS- Devil Inside:

In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been on one hell of a Smashing Pumpkins kick for a while. Soon, I will go into all that and explain why you really need to take the time and delve into the catalog of the Pumpkins as well as Billy’s solo work. Though, like I said, that’s for another day. Today however, I want to share a really cool cover that Billy did while a guest on The Howard Stern Show a few years back. It”s not easy to cover and do Neil Young justice but, Billy was able to and it feels right too. Take a couple mins and let this one soak in!

Billy Corgan (Neil Young)- After The Gold Rush:

It’s crazy to think that 25 years have passed since this now legendary debut album was released. There are lots of debut albums that I’ve heard that have stuck with me but, this one in particular is one that will always blow my mind every single time I put it on. I’m talking about the first Down album, NOLA. This album is one of the all time greatest debut albums EVER!

Before we get into the album itself, the history of the band should be discussed. Down formed back in 1991. The group was started first by Philip Anselmo and Pepper Keenan. Kirk Windstein and Jimmy Bower would join not long after along with Todd Strange. Their shared interests in bands like Black Sabbath, Trouble, St. Vitus and others would serve as the inspiration for the music they would soon begin to write. NOLA was written mainly by Anselmo and Keenan over the course of a few years and jam sessions. The band would record 3 different demos and then pass them around to friends asking if they’ve heard of this band “Down” without ever saying who was in the band. Eventually, the original demo tape was distributed throughout the United States and Down played a small concert in its home town. A record executive from Elektra Records was attending the show. When he found out who the members of the band were, he signed Down to a recording contract. Talk about a real grassroots way of getting the name out there. Now, on to the album.

The moment the first note plays there is absolutely no denying that what you are about to experience is pure and unrelenting. There is not one song on this album that feels out of place or doesn’t fit within the context of the vibe. The riffs alone on this album are astonishing. I could list all the songs but, why take away from the pleasure you’d get from listening and letting you take it all in. I’d like to take a minute and get into the overall vibe of the album. There is obviously a “metal” sound to it but, there is so much more. It’s got a southern charm to it as well as a bit of blues and a very cool sludgey sound and at times almost dare I say “grunge” sound too. The sum of all these parts not only makes this album a true standout but, one that has gone on to influence and inspire so many other bands. For all the heaviness there is also a wonderful element of ambience too. For example, just listen to the song “Jail.”

Down is a band that stands out not because of who is in the group but, rather because of the great music they created. Ever since I first heard Down in the late 90’s, I’ve been a fan. I take a lot of crap from people for this opinion but, that’s fine, Down is better than Pantera. I just think that Down is better. They have better riffs, songs, rhythm, and overall vibe. I read somewhere a long time ago back about the NOLA album and it said something to the effect of this is a landmark album that combines the talents of dedicated rock musicians, and should be included in any collection of heavy metal music. That statement is 100% true. Not only that but, this album should be in every record collection as well. Here’s to 25 great years of Down’s amazing debut!

 
Down- NOLA: