The Smashing Pumpkins

This contains a shortened version of the Pumpkins's history, and my own personal relfection on the band up to this point, plus a few photos thrown into the mix. The information that i used for the history part was researched at  www.starla.org, so im not completely sure how accurate the information, but from what i know it is. Any comments, questions, etc. e-mail me at sephroth7@aol.com.

    How they got here: Billy first met James Iha in 1987 and BIlly met D'arcy at a club in 1988 at a club. Before D'arcy joined, BIlly and James were playing togther with a drum machine, however the first official Pumpkins show was on August 10 at a place called the Avalon Club in Chicago, here D'arcy played bass, and Billy and James were on guitars and a drum machine kept time. Later on, after suggestion by a friend, Jimmy Chamberlain was asked to join the band. They opened for Jane's Addiction in November of that year. Next year, various demo tapes were released and the band played small shows. In 91/92 "GIsh" was released, it was named after Lillian GIsh, an actress whom Billy's grandmother admired. The sales had exceeded the band's expectations, BIlly felt that "...Gish is a pretty good album. It definitely defined our band's sound. I'm not proud of it in some ways -- I think I could have been a more original in places -- but in terms of some things, the guitars for example, I think it's pretty cool..." After the release, the band toured around and continued to play shows. During the tour tensions arose quite a bit. In Devember of '91, Lull was released, which was a 4 track EP. Still despite the shows they were playing and other stuff, the tensions were increasing and things were going bad, things like drugs and alcohol for Jimmy, the break up of  james and D'arcy, and Billy's depression. after time passed, on  July 27 of '93, "Siamese Dream" was released. The album did very well, and the band went touring again. On October 4 of '94 "Pices Iscariot", a compliation of b-sides from "Siamese Dream" got released. BY now rumors of a double album project were circling. In '95, the project had already begun, however a special show was played at a club which featured a bunch of material that Billy and the band was working with for the new album, somewhat of a preview of what was to come. While making the album, the whole routine was different,  it was recorded at their rehersal place and then edited in a studio, and all tracks were recorded togther.  October 24th, of '95, "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Saddness" was released. IT goes on to be their most successful album out. Once again the band tours and it is this tour that the drug overdoses and death of Johnathan occoured, in May. Matt Walker of Filter would end up taking Jimmy Chamberlain's place after the incident and his release from the band. On November 26 "The Aeroplane Flies High", a box set containing all the singles and their b-sides from the "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Saddness" was released. In 1997, various things occoured, shows played, singles produced for movies, and other stuff. 1998 Adore was in production and James Iha even released a solo album titled "Let it Come Down". Adore was released June 2 of '98, and the usuall things happened, they toured, singles released, they make their money. In September of 1999, it was announced that D'arcy left the band to persue her own interests. Later, Jimmy was re-hired, and the latest album "Machina: The Machines of God" was released. D'arcy was involved with the production of the most recent album. Im not sure when Melissa Auf Der Maur, formerly of Hole, was hired as her replacement. Hope u enjoyed that, ok im done now, peace!

    Why I like the Pumpkins: The Pumpkins definitely are a unique band, with a sound all their own. Lookin at the other bands out in the mainstream, the Pumpkins continue to remain as an origional band, and not sounding like everyone else. Their songs actually mean something to the artist that writes them and to the fans that listen, and that in itself is worth the respect of the music lisening world. What is also great about the Pumpkins is that they refuse to be told what to do, in terms of making their music, they follow their own artistic feelings as opposed to doing what the record companies tell them to do. Also they are talented musicians and write good songs. Yes, Billy does much of the actuall work (writing the songs and lyrics), but one person cannot completely carry a band, not with the material he writes. It is unfortuanate that many people do not give the credit to the rest of the band, which they do deserve. I can't really say that i have a favorite album, mostly because i listen to all of their albums equally, possibly "Siamese Dream" and "Gish" a bit more, but in general its fairly equal. I did end up buying "Mellon Collie" first, but that was in '96 and after all the hype. Thats about when i first started gettin interested in music. I still remember when they were playing "Disarm" and "Today" on the radio though So I guess you could say those two were the first songs of the Pumpkin's that caught my attention, even thought i dident really know who they were yet. SIamese Dream was the second album i bought, i think "Pices Iscariot" came next, and then i bought "Gish", "Adore" and "Machina" were bought on the days they were released. If i had to pick a favorite song of theirs, i really can't say, cause I like a lot of them, "Cherub Rock", "Obscured", "and "Crestfallen" are ones I highly reccomend, But I love "Sacred and Profane" on the new album, so like I said, i really cant say. "Mouthes of Babes" is great too. Recently, the Pumpins have been a musical inspiration for me to learn bass and guitar. Looking at Billy Corgan and seein how hes doin something he really enjoys to do with his life has kinda givin me the motivation to hopefully start a band.