Jimmy Chamberlain

BANDS IN TV/FILM: THE SMASHING PUMPKINS ON THE SIMPSONS (1996)

Hullabalooza 1996 and The Smashing Pumpkins are headlining and playing their rifftastic song “Zero” when all of the sudden a giant pink pig balloon floats to the sky out of nowhere. Which of course happened at the hands of the Springfield’s own Homer Simpson, Homer was just being a good dad taking his kids Bart and Lisa to the music festival!

What a time! Season seven of The Simpsons is right around a perfect time for that show. Not only that it was a genuinely amazing time musically. The Smashing Pumpkins were on top of the charts and world with their second masterpiece, Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness. There’s a fun twist to the episode too in which Billy Corgan is animated with hair, which coincided with a real-life transitional period when he shaved his head around late 1995/early 1996. And who can forget the iconic line when they meet, “Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins.” Homer responds with the iconic, deadpan line: “Homer Simpson, smiling politely.”

Cheers to a great time of television and music coming together! Cypress Hill, Sonic Youth and Peter Frampton are featured on the episode too. And now, everyone go listen to The Smashing Pumpkins!

The Smashing Pumpkins on The Simpsons (1996):

Billy Corgan Discussing The Episode:

B SIDES: THE SMASHING PUMPKINS- STELLAR

The Smashing Pumpkins have always been a prolific band in terms of albums, live shows and songs. The songwriting and arrangements are some of the best ever. Billy Corgan has written so many great songs, sometimes it’s hard to keep up with them all.

Recently, I was revisiting the Pumpkins album, Zeitgeist. I distinctly remember when this album came out. It was one of those moments where one of your favorite bands return. Zeitgeist is a polarizing album with songs that now, almost twenty years later, ring more true than ever. There is a particular song though on this record that has always been a favorite of mine. And that song is “Stellar.”

“Stellar” is an absolute gem. There are shades of early Pumpkins on this song but, it doesn’t rely on that to shine. Clocking in at six and a half minutes, “Stellar” shoots you to the stars. The “big rock” sound that the albums production has too, showcases this song. The shoegaze vibe mixed with a bit of new wave and a dose of seventies era pop a la Cheap Trick is brilliant.

If you were lucky enough to see The Smashing Pumpkins 2008 on their European tour, there’s a good chance you might have heard this wonderful song. The live band during this run was fun to watch and hear. At the time of the release as well, if you bought the gray edition of Zeitgeist, which was a Best Buy exclusive, “Stellar” was found on this version along with “Ma Belle” and “Death From Above.” Zeitgeist is a hard album to find but if you find it in the wild, buy it, it’s so worth it.

Now enjoy these live versions of “Stellar.”

The Smashing Pumpkins- Stellar:

Billy Corgan (Solo)- Stellar:

COLLABORATIONS: YUNGBLUD & THE SMASHING PUMPKINS- ZOMBIE

Every so often a mainstream artist really surprises me. For a while now, I’ve had my hear and eyes on Yungblud. When I first heard him in 2018, I wasn’t too into what he was doing. Then as time went on and the evolution of Dominic Harrison grew, I could tell that there was more than what was happening at first. Deep down, you could tell he wasn’t going to sit idly by and let others dictate where he was to go. So instead, Yungblud/Dominic committed to his vision and went for it. The end result is the album Idols. Since I don’t believe in guilty pleasures anymore, I have to say this album is quite enjoyable and full of rather interesting songs that explore more than just a surface level that pop music usually does. Instead, digging into the bands and artists that fed into Dom becoming “Yungblud” makes Idols a great listen. The song “Zombie,” and no it’s not The Cranberries song or a cover, has really taken things to another level. The song is now nominated for a Grammy and has an all new, reimagined version that features The Smashing Pumpkins. Since this alternate version with The Smashing Pumpkins arrived last week, I’ve been stuck on it. The original version of “Zombie” already had a Pumpkins gloss to it and now, it’s fully realized with this collaboration. When Billy Corgan sings the lyrics and especially the second verse, the chills and goosebumps will appear! If you get the chance to, check out Billy’s interview show, The Magnificent Others, and watch the couple interviews he’s done with Dominic/Yungblud. They are great intereviews and gives a really good insight into who he is as a person and artist. This kid is the real deal and I’m quite interested to see what comes next! And who can forget his absolute stellar performance of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” at the Back To The Beginning concert!

YUNGBLUD and The Smashing Pumpkins- Zombie:

By: Brian Lacy

SONGS IN FILM: THE SMASHING PUMPKINS- 1979 in CLERKS 2

Today is a cold and rainy day in Southern California. When I woke up this morning and looked out my window and saw the rain falling, a song popped in my head and it was one of those “OH?!” moments. I’m not entirely sure what the “OH” was all about but the song that popped up was The Smashing Pumpkins “1979” from their amazing album, Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness. Still wrapping my head around that album being 30 years old now. Anyways, as “1979” played in my mind and I stared out the window it reminded me of this really poignant scene in Kevin Smith’s Clerks 2, that has Dante in a very deep contemplative state about his life. This is a perfect song for this scene and I can’t believe I forgot about it. Now I feel like watching all the Clerks movies again! Enjoy this scene and song because both are great!

The Smashing Pumpkins- 1979 in Clerks II:

DREAM TOUR AND SET LIST: THE SMASHING PUMPKINS & STONE TEMPLE PILOTS

The other day I was listening/watching an interview Billy Corgan did with Robert and Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots. If you haven’t seen the interview, it’s quite a good one. Billy asks really good questions and the history they all go into is rather fascinating. While I was listening, I had an idea and I started to put it all together. What if in 2026 there was a tour that had The Smashing Pumpkins and Stone Temple Pilots together? Personally, I think it would be one hell of a tour and each night it would be pretty magical. So, with that in mind, I put together what I think would be 2 great set lists for both bands. Also, check out the interview too!

WHO: The Smashing Pumpkins and Stone Temple Pilots

WHERE: Forum- Los Angeles

SET LISTS:

Stone Temple Pilots Set List:
01) Down
02) No Memory
03) Sin
04) Pop’s Love Suicide
05) Meadow
06) Vasoline
07) Big Bang Baby
08) Crackerman
09) Trippin’ On A Hole In A Paper Heart
10) No Way Out
11) Lounge Fly
12) Adhesive
13) The Art Of Letting Go
14) Big Empty
15) Where The River Goes
16) Plush
17) Interstate Love Song
ENCORE:
18) Meatplow
19) Silvergun Superman
20) Atlanta


The Smashing Pumpkins Set List:
01) Tales Of Scorched Earth
02) Doomsday Clock
03) Zero
04) Quiet
05) Stand Inside Your Love
06) Panopticon
07) Sicarus
08) Siva
09) Bullet With Butterfly Wings
10) Cherub Rock
11) Purple Blood
12) Perfect
13) Wound
14) Empires
15) One And All
16) Bleeding The Orchid
17) Ugly
18) Set The Ray to Jerry
19) Shame
20) Muzzle
21) Drown
22) Bodies
23) Violet Rays
24) War Dreams Of Itself
25) Jellybelly
26) Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)
27) An Ode To No One
28) Thirty-Three
29) The Everlasting Gaze
30) X.Y.U.
31) 1979
ENCORE:
32) Mayonaise
33) Silverfuck

The Magnificent Ones Interview with Robert & Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots:

Cover Song: The Smashing Pumpkins (Neil Young)- Cinnamon Girl

Cinnamon Girl (Ignoffo Sessions / 2012 Mix) - YouTube

One of the best things about going back through a band’s catalog is finding all the things you forgot about. Over the last couple years, I’ve rediscovered my love for The Smashing Pumpkins, and through my journey, I keep finding so many wonderful gems. For example, in the deluxe edition of Pisces Iscariot, there are so many great songs on the bonus disc. This cover of Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl” was one I forgot about. It’s really a very cool cover with a different vibe, a la 90’s. The Type O Negative cover of this song is still the best but, the pumpkins sure do a damn good job with it.

 

The Smashing Pumpkins- Cinnamon Girl:

 

 

Collaborations: The Smashing Pumpkins with Chino Moreno

 

Smashing Pumpkins Joined By Chino Moreno, Davey Havok, Courtney ...

This isn’t necessarily a “collaboration” but, it did happen and it was pretty magical. A couple years ago, The Smashing Pumpkins did a few shows to celebrate them being a band for 30 years. They invited a few people to come join them on stage, Chino Moreno of Deftones fame being one of them. They performed two classic Pumpkins songs that evening, “Bodies” from Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness and “Snail” from “Gish.” It’s almost like Chino was meant to sing “Bodies” and “Snail”when you listen to him sing them. I’d love to hear the soundboard audio of these songs but, these versions are pretty good.

 

The Smashing Pumpkins with Chino Moreno:

Bodies:

 

Snail:

Memorable TV Performances: The Smashing Pumpkins on The Tonight Show

Smashing Pumpkins

Way back in the year 2000, The Smashing Pumpkins, released the second part of their (then) swan song, Machina II: The Friends and Enemies of Modern Music. This album never fully got the proper release and instead released for free on the internet on September 5, 2000. Plans for a standard physical release, bundled with the first part Machina I: The Machines of God,  was supposed to happen in 2013 but was postponed due to legal setbacks. In a recent Q&A on Instagram, Billy Corgan revealed that all legal issues had been resolved. The two albums are said to be remastered and released as one in 2020. That being said, The Smashing Pumpkins did do some promotion for the album back in 2000 with a very memorable performance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, which also ended up being the band’s final television appearance until their 2007 revival.

The Smashing Pumpkins- Cash Car Star (on Tonight Show with Jay Leno):

 

Great Music Videos: The Smashing Pumpkins- Stand Inside Your Love

R-7949519-1480541012-6437.jpeg.jpg

Yesterday while I was at work, I had a song pop into my head and it sent me on a dive back to an album I hadn’t listened to in a minute. The song was “Stand Inside Your Love” by The Smashing Pumpkins from their highly underrated album Machina. It’s always been one of those songs in the bands catalog that has given me chills. I was sort of daydreaming while listening to the song and letting it take me away. It’s truly a beautiful song and one of Billy Corgan’s best too. It’s been said that the song was written about a then girlfriend. Billy once said in an interview about the track “‘Stand Inside Your Love’ is one of those rare songs that seems to write itself really quickly… As far as the song goes, it’s sort of a love song that rocks, which is pretty rare, even for me. And I even got my girlfriend dancing in the video, so it’s all a tribute to my girlfriend, I guess.”

The video itself is pretty stunning. It’s a tribute to the play Salome by Oscar Wilde. The look of the video is heavily influenced by the original Salome illustrations by Aubrey Beardsley. You might recognize Ken Davitian (from Borat) in the video. Billy’s then girlfriend also appears in the video. 

Something else that I find interesting is that “Stand Inside Your Love” was originally supposed to be the first single from Machina but, at the last minute it was changed to “The Everlasting Gaze.” Either way, “Stand Inside Your Love” is one hell of a great song and the video is interesting, intriguing and artful.

 
The Smashing Pumpkins- Stand Inside Your Love:

 

Album Review: The Smashing Pumpkins- Shiny and Oh So Bright Vol. I

SmashingPumpkinsAlbThe Smashing Pumpkins came back in 2018 with a vengeance. Their “reunion” tour was outstanding. The 3 hour set of nothing but songs from the beginning of their career till Machina was something special. Everything about it was spectacular. William Patrick Corgan sounded marvelous and having Jimmy Chamberlain and James Iha back with him along with long time cohort, Jeff Schroeder and new comers Jack Bates and Katie Cole added to the truly great experience. When it was announced that the Pumpkins were coming back, WPC, mentioned that there would be new music, and that day is upon us. Shiny and Oh So Bright Volume I is here and it’s a delight. It’s everything you’ve ever loved about The Smashing Pumpkins and more.

Starting the album off with “Knights Of Malta” was a superb choice. The song not only sets a tone but it features a groove and melody that will have you swaying and singing along in no time. I have a feeling that this song will fast become a fan favorite and a live staple for years to come. “Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)” is a pure classic Pumpkins song. Parts of it hark back to the Siamese Dream era but, it’s modern and current without relying so much on nostalgia. WPC sounds dreamy on this song, and Jimmy Chamberlain’s playing is subtle yet commanding. The riff and melody to this song is something that will stay in your head for years to come. “Travels” is a sweet mid tempo song with introspective lyrics. The guitar melodies on this song have a warming and calm tone which gives this song more depth. “Solara” is another classic Pumpkins song. This track is a beast and live it kicks even more ass.  “Alienation” is one of those “deep cut” songs that will have audiences wanting for it live. It’s a beautiful song through and through. “Marchin’ On” kicks the moment it comes in. It’s got an anger and urgency to it just as “Zero” did when that song was first released. This is another that is sure to be a fan favorite. “With Sympathy” has a delicate nature to it. The guitars glisten along with WPC’s vibrant vocals and words. Closing out this volume is “Seek and You Shall Destroy.” This track has a very cool mid 90’s Pumpkins vibe to it but, again isn’t retreating to the nostalgia of it all. Seek sounds like the band in today’s world without losing the roots of what the band is about.

 
All in all Shiny and Oh So Bright Volume I is a terrific collection of songs. I wouldn’t say it’s an “album” per say but, it was sequenced in a way that does flow in a way as an album. Having Jimmy and James back in the band is a welcome return. The songs sound like Pumpkins songs because of how they play and treat the songs. Over the years Jeff Schroeder has been able to tap into that “style” and on this album, he’s right there along with James and WPC to make the songs even bigger. This is a welcome return to form for WPC and company. Shiny and Oh So Bright is full of songs that as I mentioned will become fan favorites and live staples for years to come. The Smashing Pumpkins have never been a band that has needed to resort to rehashing the past and this album solidifies that. I can’t wait for the next tour they do so I can hear these songs live. If you ever gave up on The Smashing Pumpkins, Shiny and Oh So Bright Volume I, will bring you back into the fold and you’ll fall in love with the band all over again.

 
Overall Rating: 9/10

 
Knights of Malta:

 

 
Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts):

 

 
Travels:

 

 
Solara:

 

 

 

Alienation:

 

 
Marchin’ On:

 

 
With Sympathy:

 

 
Seek and You Shall Destroy: