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!

Comments

[YJMML]

Mark, seriously, can you believe that show last night?!? Luckily I was there for free so I could at least laugh at the absurdity. My friend and I kept looking at each other with disbelief on our faces. When we walked in a little late and I saw he was wearing a glittery "ZERO" shirt I thought it was a bad sign.

I've never witnessed an ego like that on stage. It was truly a strange scene. I think the guy behind me summed it up perfectly when, during one of Billy's many endless rants about not being appreciated, he yelled "Hey Billy, quit fucking around and play some songs!"

[Mark Murrell]

It was insane...it was one of the strangest experiences I have ever had at a concert. Billy used to be so cool and chill. Something must have happened.

Ha! I wanted to yell too, but I was up on Balcony 4. You know, the whole Kazoo thing kind of pissed me off. It felt like a diss. I was expecting them to encore with some heavy shit, and instead, they played freaking Kazoos...WTF?

[Chris]

Yeah, no kidding. I'm 28 and have been a fan since 14, and have liked almost everything they ever created, not cuz they were the Pumpkins, but because they had the talent to do so many different styles of music.

I was with them even during Adore and Machina 2, and thought Zwan was really promising, but started to drift away with his dull solo album. In terms of sales I bought every album, some of them twice due to wearing out or as presents, got the Aeroplane set, though I already owned some of the singles, and spread the word to everybody.

Zeigeist was a horrible POS, aside from Clock & That's the Way, and it's just been heading toward turgid. He should've left his legacy alone and gone to meditate in India or something.

[Shawn Hourtovenko]

What can I say. I agree with lots of you here. I loved the pumpkins, when they were at a positive level with respect to fan treatment. It's some weird joke and I actually ended up leaving early because I was pissed off when he gave attitude here at the second night of the Toronto show. Anyways, Billy as you said, you know how you are, you read from the internet. I guess you love being an ass and expect positive feedback from it as an end result. Stop wining like a little child because you aren't as big as you used to be. Radiohead, Nine inch nails are perfect examples of bands who have still got the omph and love their fans. They get us, the pumpkins just don't. I've seen you 6 times. I'm finished wasting my time on this shyt.

[Mark Murrell]

Hey folks, check out my response to my own response: http://markinchicago.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/11/is-billy-corgan-a-genius.html

Been doing some research and perhaps Billy is on to something here...