The Smashing Pumpkins will be performing at the 2008 Scream Awards next week and in anticipation for the gig, Spike is dedicating a little time to one the best alternative rock bands on the planet.
The Beginning
The Smashing Pumpkins formed in Chicago in 1988.
Unlike their alt-rock contemporaries, the Pumpkins had a densely layered, guitar-heavy sound that contained unique elements of metal, goth rock and dreamy psychedelic sounds.
The Pumpkins exploded into the mainstream via MTV with their 1993 landmark LP, Siamese Dream. They continued to build up their audience by touring extensively and eventually dropped their much anticipated follow-up, the double album classic Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard charts in 1995 and sold over 18 million albums in the United States alone.
While the group has gone through several lineup changes and a breakup, Smashing Pumpkins head honcho Billy Corgan has stood strong as the creative force behind the band.
In April 2006, the band announced that it was reuniting and recording a new album.
The Return – Zeitgeist
Returning members Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin were joined by musicians Jeff Schroeder (guitar/vocals), Ginger Reyes (bass/vocals), and Lisa Harriton (keyboard/vocals) in 2007 to tour in support of their new release, Zeitgeist.
With the 2007 release of Zeitgeist, Corgan stated that he wanted to make a mainstream rock record that commented on the political climate of the United States.
If you fell in love with Pumpkins back in the early 90’, this record definitely has that classic shoegaze sound you’ve been waiting for. Corgan’s guitar skills, songwriting and vocals are right on point, while Jimmy Chamberlin’s drum chops are some of the best in rock.
You should never underestimate a great rock band because they just don’t come around that often.
Be sure to catch The Smashing Pumpkins perform at the Scream Awards on October 21st at 9pm. Here’s a taste to get you ready for the show…
"That's the Way (My Love Is)"
"Tarantula"
