Now in Chicago

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For the sake of it.

Is Billy Corgan a Genius?

As I continue to work through the haze that was Tuesday night’s Pumpkins concert in Chicago, I am discovering that Billy’s antics just may have been intentional by design.

Reports from each of the cities that the new “Smashing Pumpkins” have all been the same, Billy tweaks in the end.

So, is Billy a marketing genius? Because the Pumpkins have been out of the limelight for so long, is he bum-rushing the fans with angst, hate, and self-loathing in hopes of regaining the respect of his fans? Is he going over-the-top alter-punk-asshole so that he can show that he has not sold out? Or, is he just going out with a bang, spitting on the very people that have enabled him to reap the rewards of super stardom and then riding off into the sunset as the uber-punk? I don’t know, but if I had to guess, I would say he is a marketing genius. Nothing stems curiosity more than angst and controversy. Fans want to be appreciated, or do they? They most likely like to be spit on.

Regardless, Billy has re-launched his brand and the Internet is bursting with Smashing Pumpkins news, blogs, and comment threads since his tour started. Time will tell if the new “asshole” status will convert into record sales. Stay tuned…

In the meantime, wanna see some "real music" I found? Check out Adam Stern's new video, War...this is some hot stuff coming out of Cali!

Billy and the New Pumpkins, no Longer Smashing

I left the Smashing Pumpkins concert feeling confused and abused. Sorry folks, the Smashing Pumpkins have not been revived. They are simply Billy and the New Pumpkins; not to be confused with the band we fell in love with in the 90s.

Pumpkins Show at the Chicago Theater
I have been pumped for a couple of weeks to watch Billy thrash on his guitar, and thrash he did, but it was not what I has hoping for, not even close.

Nestled high up in balcony 4 of the Chicago theater, my curious stare was mounted on Billy as he went off in a haze of clouded riffs and indiscernible lyrics. Billy and the New Pumpkins concert in Chicago last night was a bad trip that got worse as the show went on. Utter amazement drenched my spirit as I watched someone who used to be a kick-ass guitarist turn into a whinny punk that was not performing for the crowd, but for something entirely different (I have yet to figure it out).

It was the final moments of the concert that encapsulated where Billy and his new band stand with their new focus. Billy actually scolded the audience. His tirade, stemming from static sales and poor reviews, stretched for far too long. He spit his angst at fans for their disinterest in him, his new band, and his new sound (Which he based on demographic reports, seriously, he mentioned demographic report. Chicago does not love you because we don't by records? We have not even heard from the Pumpkins in years.).

Fans wanted the old Pumkpins; straight-shooting heavy shit that made our heads bob. Billy and the New Pumpkins no longer Smash. Instead, they provide floating riffs, poor lyrics, and ego-driven diatribe. And, finally ended the night, not with a heavy-hitting jam session, but with Kazoos. That's right folks, Kazoos.

Billy lost me at "hello". My beloved Pumpkins no longer Smashing like they used and I am moving on.I will not be going to another Billy and the New Pumpkins concert. Without the Smashing, there is no Pumpkins.

A final note to Billy: By simply adding a female Bassist and an Asian Guitarist, you do not re-create Darcy and James; failed attempt. And, Billy, check the thread on the Tribune site...GO NOW

On second thought, good this just be GENIUS MARKETING? Wanna see some "real music" I found? Check out Adam Stern's new video, War...this is some hot stuff coming out of Cali!

Where to Vote

CLICK HERE to find out where you vote.

The Evolution of the Baseball Fan Tee Shirt

Go to Wrigley these days and you can’t help but notice the mix of fan garb draped over Cubs fans on Addison. But, a new fan trend is slowly creeping into the bleachers, Cuban and the Cubs tees are stopping to pop up here and there and curiosity is peaked.

Why look like everyone else at Wrigley?
  Fans are always searching for new tee shirts that define them as a fan. Walk down Addison and you will see a plethora of Fukudome shirts, Lou shirts, anything and everything under the sun shirts, and of course, Cuban and the Cubs tees, which seem to be of peaking interest; fans supporting a potential owner?

Twice seen on TV during games, and perhaps even in an upcoming documentary about the last 100 years of the Cubs, Cuban and the Cubs tees are starting to invade Wrigley. This politico-socio-grassroots, whatever you call it, movement is raising eyebrows among Cubs fans everywhere, as far as NY and Texas. When was the last time you saw a potential ball club owners name on a tee shirt? That’s what I thought. So, what gives?

The influx of media seems to be educating sports fans; they want a say in what goes on in the front office, and they want to have influence in decisions that affect the future of their beloved team, and perhaps the only way to do that is to wear their support across their chest.

So, while the Cuban revolution in Chicago marches along, despite recent rumors of Mark Cuban not being considered in the bid to buy the Cubs, what else might we see in the stands of ball parks?

Jerry is Full of Bull – Chicago Bulls owner
Sell out Selig - Commissioner of Baseball
Can’t Stand Canning – Potential owner of the Cubs, minority owner of the Brewers
Stymied by Steinbrenner – owner of the Spankees (I mean Yankees)

Free Speech And The Digg Business Model

I found this blog post and had to share. I have experienced similar conspiracies in my social media experience. Check it out.

read more | digg story

The Viral President Makes History

Chicago Air and Water Show

 
This year's Chicago Air and Water show was no-less spectacular than year's past. With a Stealth Fighter zipping through the Chicago skyline and the Blue Angel's playing with the sound barrier, Chicagoans were privy to quite a treat. SEE PHOTOS HERE.

 

Why look like everyone else at Wrigley? Get your Cuban and the Cubs tee shirt!

Only in America - Paris Hilton Sounds Smart!

See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die

Check out CNN coverage! Are you Kidding ME!

The Yelp-Google Conspiracy Update - Something is Fishy

So, the plot thickens. I re-tested the searches I spoke about in my previous post. The search in question was the title, in quotes, of my review I posted to Yelp  on 7/16 about the Kooza Cirque show in Chicago.

Two days later I did some test searches; one, for my blog post about the Kooza show, and the other about the Kooza Yelp review; something was fishy (see original conspiracy post).

Today (note that I contacted Yelp and Google), did the searches again, because Yelp contacted me. Miraculously, the rankings are as they should be. Well, what happened? See for yourself. Below are two links to the same search done two different days.

• Screenshot #1: "Cirque Kooza Road Show a Bore"
• Screenshot #2: "Cirque Kooza Road Show a Bore"

What do you make of it?