June 10, 2000-
Happy 36th Jimmy Chamberlin!
And a Happy 17th to me, the Shamed Webmisstress
May 25, 2000-
Billy Corgan is being sued.
Smashing Pumpkins Billy Corgan found himself on the receiving end of a breach of contract lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday (May 22), accusing the singer of stealing and allowing the commercial release of a video/documentary from 1986 entitled Video Marked.
Jonathan Morrill, owner of J.M. Productions, is alleging that Corgan stayed at his apartment in St. Petersburg, Fla. in 1986, at which time Morrill created a video/documentary of Corgan's pre-Pumpkins outfit, the Marked. Morrill claims only two copies of the video were made, a master and a backup, the latter of which he hasn't seen since Corgan's stay in 1986. The suit alleges Corgan "purloined the backup copy of Video Marked without permission or authorization." Video Marked, according to Morrill, was the express and exclusive property of Morrill and J.M. Productions.
In conjunction with the Smashing Pumpkins' 1994 B-sides compilation Pisces Iscariot, a video compilation, Vieuphoria was also released, unbeknownst to Morrill. Later, in 1996, Morrill claims to have approached Corgan about the possibility of releasing Video Marked and Corgan replied by stating "he did not wish for the old materials to be released and cited audio quality as a particular reason."
In 1999, Morrill, upon realizing Vieuphoria had been commercially released, allegedly discovered that it contained a substantial amount of work lifted directly from Video Marked uncredited to him or his production company. The suit reads, in part, "Vieuphoria is sold, distributed, and advertised, in part, based on exclusive materials lifted from Video Marked and Vieuphoria expressly refers to 'super secret super special extra stuff shot by the band'" which refers to Video Marked.
Morrill is suing Corgan, the Smashing Pumpkins, Virgin Records America, and Modivational Films for breach of contract, breach of confidence, fraud and deceit, negligent misrepresentation, declaratory relief, constructive trust, and injunctive relief.
taken from netphoria
May 23, 2000-
Billy Corgan has announced that the Smashing Pumpkins WILL BE spliting up by the years end.
The singer/guitarist says band hopes to stage farewell U.S. tour before packing it in at end of year.
Senior Writer Chris Nelson reports:
The Smashing Pumpkins said on Tuesday (May 23) they will break up at the end of the year, closing the door on an 11-year, seemingly cursed career that often found the band running counter to industry trends as they carried a torch for conceptual, artful rock.
"There's nothing wrong inside the band," founder and singer/guitarist Billy Corgan said on Los Angeles radio station KROQ-FM. "But the way the culture is and stuff, it's hard to keep trying to fight the good fight against the Britneys," he said, referring to Britney Spears and other teen pop sensations.
The band is on the West Coast leg of a U.S. tour that ends May 30. They play the Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City, Calif., on Tuesday. They are scheduled to spend the second half of June on a tour of Japan.
Corgan said the band hopes to stage a farewell U.S. trek before year's end.
He added that the group knew before they released MACHINA/the machines of God on Feb. 29 that it would be their last album before breaking up, but did not announce it for fear the news would overshadow the music.
"I feel like a weight's been lifted off our shoulders," Corgan told KROQ.
He called the band's decision to forge a career pursuing challenging music "exhilarating" but "wearying."
"It will be nice to let the music be now," he told the station.
In addition, there will be more music from the Pumpkins, Corgan said. The band has several songs left over from the recording of MACHINA/the machines of God that they plan to finish this summer and release with additional material. But he said he didn't know whether they would come out before year's end or "two years from now."
The band also will tape a session of "VH1 Storytellers" in August, he said.
taken from netphoria
May 1, 2000-
Happy Birthday D'Arcy
March 29, 2000-
The Pumpkins concert in Lewiston, ME, US has been cancelled. Refunds are available from the point of purchase. Check out the tour dates section for more updates on new shows.
March 26, 2000-
Happy 32nd James.
March 17, 2000-
Happy 33rd Billy and Happy 28th Melissa.
February 23, 2000-
Smashing Pumpkins sue manager
FEBRUARY 23 - The Smashing Pumpkins filed suit against former manager Sharon Osbourne and her Los Angeles-based management company on Tuesday (Feb. 22). The band is alleging breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and fraud in the suit, which was filed in California Superior Court.
The suit claims Osbourne "reneged without notice or any warning" on her agreement to manage the band, calling her public exit from the position "a calculated, vindictive attempt to damage the group both emotionally and professionally." The suit seeks general damages, as well as punitive and exemplary damages.
In January, Osbourne, who also manages the career of her husband Ozzy Osbourne, said in a statement, "It was with great pride and enthusiasm that I took on management of the Pumpkins back in October, but unfortunately I must resign today due to medical reasons… [Pumpkins leader] Billy Corgan was making me sick!!!"
The statement went on to say she was "saddened" that she will not be able to work with the other band members, James Iha, Melissa Auf Der Maur, and Jimmy Chamberlin, adding, "I wish them much love."
Also at issue in the suit are allegations that Osbourne "misappropriated" a $150,000 advance, and that she encouraged the Smashing Pumpkins's tour accountant/manager to quit just before the band launched its European tour. Calls to Osbourne for comment were not returned at press time.
The Smashing Pumpkins are currently in the midst of a "secret" tour of the U.S. that finds them finds them signing autographs in record stores, and playing the odd small-venue show in support of their forthcoming album, Machina/the machines of God, due out on Tuesday (Feb. 29).
- Barry Jeckell
February 9, 2000-
The Smashing Pumpkins have created two EP (extended play) CDs which are
being given away free!
A seven track EP is being given out free with pre-orders for"Machina/the
machines of God" at select in-store performances across North
America. The track listing is as follows:
- The Everlasting Gaze (from "Machina/the machines of God")
- I Am One
- Disarm
- Starla
- Bullet With Butterfly Wings
- Medellia Of The Gray Skies
- Waiting (previously unreleased)
A five track EP will be given out as a bonus when you purchase "Machina/the machines of God" at Best Buy in the US, and at HMV in Canada and other select countries. This CD has the following track listing:
- Hope (previously unreleased)
- Not Worth Asking
- Apathy's Last Kiss
- Blissed and Gone (previously unreleased)
- Glynis
Please contact your local Best Buy or HMV location for details in your area.
Further to our message about the "Stand Inside Your Love" single to be released in the UK: The single will be released in other select countries around the worldon February 21st as well. Unfortunately, we don't have listing ofcountries, but we've heard word that Germany and Australia will be amongst them. However, as we already stated, a North American release is notplanned.
The video for "The Everlasting Gaze", the first radio single released off of "Machina/the machines of God", has been placed into rotation on music video stations across North America.
February 4, 2000-
More new tour dates have been added.
January 21, 2000-
this is from spifc
Just to clear up various rumors that have been floating around the Internet recently:
- Sharon Osbourne Management is no longer representing the SmashingPumpkins.
- The band is *not* in the process of breaking up. They are currently in the process of a world tour, and will be releasing their new album on February 29th, 2000 in North America, February 28th, 2000 elsewhere. Until the band officially calls it a day, any statement about the Pumpkins breaking up is simply a rumor.
- Billy has come down with a throat infection. This has forced the cancellation of the Brussels, BE and Manchester, UK shows. He is currently resting, and is looking forward to performing at the upcoming London, UK show.
The SPIFC thanks everyone for their letters of concern. If there areany updates, we will attempt to get them out as soon as possible.
January 17, 2000-
dotmusic can exclusively reveal that Smashing Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan intends to split the band following the promotion of their forthcoming album.
'MACHINA/The Machines Of God' is set to be the last studio album by the multi-platinum act when it is released in late February.
Speaking to dotmusic, fellow Chicago rockers, and close friends of the Pumpkins, Filter revealed that it is only a matter time before Billy calls it a day.
"Billy expressed to me that this is it - this is the last time he will go out as the Pumpkins - and he wants to conquer the world, do it one last time and go out with a big boom" says Filter guitarist Geno Lenardo.
Filter singer and one time Nine Inch Nails guitarist Richard Patrick also explained to us the reasons behind D'arcy quitting the group:
"She really, really wanted a break from the whole music industry. She's tired of how competitive it is. She's just like 'hey, I want to be an actress'. She is a very competitive person but she's just tired of the music industry. She's really over it. She just wants to do something new and she should. She should be happy."
Sharon Osbourne sensationally resigned as manager of the Smashing Pumpkins last week 'due to medical reasons'. It seems someone in the band was making her feel sick.
"Billy is a very heavy handed… he knows what he wants. Most genius' or successful men know what they want. It's his way or the highway. You either get it or you don't. He goes through personal assistants like they are underwear. I could see him being pretty authoritative" adds Patrick.
"We know her and we know Ozzy. She is a sweetheart. She embodies what I think makes a great manager. She would take a bullet for the bands she wants to work with".
As a friend of both Corgan and Osbourne, Patrick assures us it isn't a major issue between the two parties, "I'm sure it's not a personal issue but I think it's probably that they couldn't click".
January 12, 2000-
Tuesday January 11 11:14 PM ET
Sharon Osbourne sickened by head Pumpkin
LOS ANGELES, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Being the wife of Ozzy Osbourne is apparently easier than managing the Smashing Pumpkins, as Sharon Osbourne has just found out.
The English native announced in a statement late Tuesday that she has resigned as manager of the Chicago-based rock group after only three months in the job, because of problems with band leader Billy Corgan.
``It was with great pride and enthusiasm that I took on management of the Pumpkins back in October, but unfortunately I must resign today due to medical reasons -- Billy Corgan was making me sick!!!''
Osbourne added she was ``saddened'' that she would no longer be working with Corgan's ``great and talented'' bandmates, guitarist James Iha, new bass player Melissa Auf Der Maur and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. ``I wish them much love,'' she said.
The announcement was news to a spokeswoman at the Pumpkins' Virgin Records America label, and she declined comment. Osbourne's spokeswoman, Lisa Vega, was unable to elaborate on the statement.
The Smashing Pumpkins split from the New York-based management powerhouse QPrime in late 1998. In announcing that she had signed the band, Osbourne told the Los Angeles Times in October: ``Billy talked to every manager in the industry, I think, and he liked me best. And I can't blame him.''
The Smashing Pumpkins are scheduled to begin a world tour in Europe this month, ahead of the Feb. 29 release of their fifth album, ``MACHINA/the machines of God.''
Osbourne, the estranged daughter of music impresario Don Arden, has overseen her hard-living husband's career since his Black Sabbath days in the 1970s. They married in 1982.
Reuters/Variety
January 2, 2000-
Smashing Pumpkins played a Millers Genuine Draft Blind Date promotion in Dublin, Ireland on Wednesday Dec. 29. The show included selections off the up and coming album Machina, also hits such as 1979, today, and bullet with butterfly wings. The show was the second show with new bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur.
December 22, 1999-
The Pumpkins showcased new bass player Melissa Aurf Der Mar at the two shows @ the Metro in Chicago the past two nights. Though the bass player obviously needs more practice, she had the music on a stand in front of her and was frequently looking at it. The Pumpkins played songs from all eras, concetrating on the newer stuff. Billy apologized for not being "perfect" but they played their hearts out for the hometown.
December 18, 1999-
Virgin records will be releasing 1991 - 1998 The Greatest Hits, here is the tracklisting of the CD:
1. Bullet With Butterfly Wings
2. Ava Adore
3. 1979
4. Landslide
5. Cherub Rock
6. I Am One
7. Perfect
8. Today
9. Tonight, Tonight
10. Mayonaise (acoustic - previously unreleased)
11. Siva
12. Eye
13. Zero
14. Pug
15. Drown
16. Thirty-Three
17. Rhinoceros
Expected release date sometime in January, maybe a bit before then.
December 10, 1999-
Well as was expected the two shows at the Metro are sold out, who ever got tickets is very fortunate, because they were gone in 90 seconds, and unfortunatly I was not one of the two thousand to get tickets :(
December 9, 1999-
The Smashing Pumpkins will be playing two warm up shows at the Metro in Chicago on December 20, and December 21. If you bring in two cans of canned food you will recieved and autographed gift from the band.
The Everlasting Gaze was submitted into radio air play, though the first single Stand Inside Your Love won't be released until december 21.
November 26, 1999-
The new Pumpkins album release date has been pushed back to February 29, 2000. It is going to be called MACHINA/the machines of God, click here to see the track list, and will feature new bass player, Melissa Aurf Der Mar.
November 23, 1999-
Pumpkins have set dates for upcoming tour. Click here for the schedualed dates.
November 11, 1999-
Pumpkins have signed on with new management. Sharon Osbourne Management is the new management of the Smashing Pumpkins, right now they are working on getting together their tour scheduale for early next year in support of the still untitled album due out February 15, 2000.
October 28, 1999-
Billy Corgan and James Iha will be playing at the Bridge School Benifit concert which will be webcast on both October 30th and October 31st, visit www.bridgeschool.org for more info.
September 28, 1999-
The Smashing Pumpkins will be re-releasing Siamese Dream on November 15th with the original 20 page booklet that was inside the first releases of the CD. (The original 20 page booklet was reduced to a four page foldout in order to reduce production cost and increase the production rate.)
September 22, 1999-
Hole bassist Melissa Auf Du Mar has quit and it is rumoured she may be taking Darcy's place, not as a full time thing but rather as a touring bass player.
September 9, 1999 -
Smashing Pumpkins have anounced the departure of bassist Darcy. A reason has yet to be given. The Smashing Pumpkins plan to continue without her and tour is planned for the new album due out on Feburary 15 2000.