To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, a special virtual Zoom call discussion with William Patrick Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin, hosted by Daniel P Carter.
My favourite all time. probably the most grossly underrated rock band to ever exist. They belong in the pantheon with the Who and Zeppelin, Floyd etc. One of the greatest of all time.
Not just Band but musician - Zwan has probably 12 classic songs that have never even been released - I can't wait for the reissue when it finally comes out.
My Grandma bought 8 of her grandkids, 10-16 years old, Smashing Pumpkin Tickets for Christmas for the Mellon Collie Tour. Wondering the streets in SF without supervision, waiting hours at Cow Palace so we could be in the front row, and the concert itself have been defining moments for my cousins, siblings, and myself. Smashing Pumpkins music defines a generation we can't be labeled or boxed in.
Defining a generation for sure . I am 39 in a few months and every concert of theirs I went to was amazing. I have seen them 4 times: 1998 Pinkpop , (also Deftones there!) [wow how the Pumpkins changed so much in 4 years from pinkpop 94!] 1999 The Arising Tour, 2000 Tower Records Denver, and same year Balch Fieldhouse CU Boulder. Lastly 2018 Pepsi Center. Such a great band. What drew me to comment here is that I was driving this morning and on the 'Classic Rock ' station on the radio 1979 came on. I was like 'damn I must be old now'
Definitely. Jimmy dives it as much as Billy and James. I loved adore, but jimmy needed to be there. I loved machina, but d'arcy was gone.. Billy an Jimmy drive it. James floats them up. D'arcy just pushed it and kept everything connected.. it'll never be the same punpkins
Jimmy looks and sounds healthy, which is awesome for a guy in his 50's who was addicted to heroin at one point in his life. Kudos JC, we love you, man!
I was so poor I couldn't afford to buy an expensive album, I had a Wife and two little ones to provide but all those memories put a more awesomeness to my Mellon Colly and infinity sadness era💝🤗🤗🤗 I loved Billy's music since Desarm, his voice was unique and so powerful that it took me along the ride all this year's, I feel I know him like my life time friend👍🤗
Love these in depth candid conversations.....a peek behind the magic curtain. MC&TIS is a masterpiece that should be talked about in depth and preserved for historical record. It is one of the greatest albums ever made. SP-A great band that people do not appreciate enough.
I bought ME&TIS on cassette in 1996 and they always came with me. In 2008 i had a car accident, falling by a cliff, rolling over about 5 o 6 times. First thing i asked when i woke up in the hospital wasnt about my car (total loss) or my health, it was "where are my Pumpkins´s cassetes?". Lost them forever. Glad you are back guys and thank you for all your music.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on such a lovely era .... I feel blessed to have been part of it and now it has awaken such a wonderful feeling and appreciation for your music ... thanks for sharing your music to the world !!! I’m deeply inspired by you
Love all the connections to tarot and alchemy in this conversation✨So happy to see you guys so inspired and passionate about your work. This is why Smashing Pumpkins are my favorite band. You guys are extraordinary
Totally! I was able to appreciate them in a newer light once I started reading cards to help identify w the cycles we go thru & the wrenches that are thrown in between. I was so immersed in the feelings & isolation back as a teenager & now 20 years later. Very volatile in both eras which are very telling of its depth & how much the artists invested magnifying that 3 of pentacles energy to 10; the legacy.
Love you guys so much! Excited for your upcoming albums, really a dream come true🤩 I hope when you’re able to tour again, you come back to Tampa, Florida!🙏🏼🤞🏼
I love the musical partnership and friendship between WPC and JC! This is a great interview that covers so much ground -- past, present, and future. Such a gift for fans!
That was a great interview. I never really heard Jimmy in depth before, and I'm glad I tuned in. Of course Corgan is always insightful and entertaining, but Chamberlain was a pleasant surprise for me tonight. Be well, stay healthy.
Saw them in their early days, and still go to their concerts ( so happy "original" band is together again) i Play their songs every day and still not get bored of it after 30+ years...
You know...that is probably one of the best interviews I have seen those fellas do. I have enjoyed watching the band's entire journey up to this point. The two things that really stood out to me during this interview are 1. Billy's reference to how a single day can accurately symbolize an entire life...that is such a wonderful statement of hope. 2. If I understood the context accurately, I get that Mellon Collie might be the most honest representation of the band from a, "Jazz" approach...but those Gish, Siamese days were also just as good from a fan's viewpoint. I kind of look at Mellon Collie as ya'll just went in the studio as 5-star chefs throwing your ingredients together and making a stir-fry that really "Popped", whereas Siamese...even Gish is when you went in with your bakers hat with very measured out ingredients to create such a great desert that couldn't have been made any other way! I guess what I'm trying to say is don't throw out those years. I understand it may have been a bit painful and time consuming for it all to come together on those records. But, its the same people under the hats! Sometimes, play "Jazz" and sometimes get ultra focused and precise. You guys are good at both and it's great to hear both coming from the band! On a different note...for some reason when I watched our Sunday sermon yesterday, I couldn't help but picture you two guys at the pulpit...it was totally about, "Speak Love, Teach Truth, and Live Pure". Those are qualities I have always felt the Pumpkins had and it's always great to cross paths with people like that....there don't seem to be many left these days. Anyway, just thank your for sharing your art with us over the years. If you wanted to indulge me and watch that sermon, here it is: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KZPBgVXejqI.html
I’m a huge fan of The Smashing Pumpkins. It’s always been my dream to sit down with a rock star and here stories about the old rock days. I’m a 14 year old who is in love with all music especially rock music. The downside is being a 14 year old in 2020 I haven’t got the true experience a rock fan got in the 90s.
It was cool... As with any generation, there was a bunch of stuff that sucked, but it was an exciting thing back then being a Pumpkins or Pearl Jam fan. After buying an album-finding out that the singles from the album had unreleased tracks...
You know one of my college buddies turned me on to Smashing Pumpkins and he said listen to that which was Gish and I was blown away because to me they didn’t sound like anyone else. Billy’s vocals were very unique, his and James guitar 🎸 playing very original and inspirational, Darcy with her own ice Queen vibe, and Jimmy’s very unique approach to playing aggressively and then quietly and then amazing dexterity with ghost notes on the snare and toms with jazz flavoring! So to sum up they didn’t sound like any group at their time not grunge, soft rock, not alternative, not Progressive rock just their own unique sound which was unheard before ala Van Halen or Jimi Hendrix where right of the Shute as a listener you were going what’s this? I don’t know but I like this! Saw the Gish tour and then Siamese Dream tour as part of LOLLAPOLOOZA! Love the guys! I do miss Darcy though! Just sayin 💔
I’ve bought this album (MCIS) at least 10 times. (Scratched CDs, lost lyric books, etc) I was a teenager when I discovered it and now I’m middle aged hearing it with new (older) ears. I guarantee I’ll be listening on my deathbed. This era of studio work and live SP band was absolutely otherworldly and elevated…it’s beautifully possessed art. Great interview. Eternally excited for the next chapter of these cats.
I'm glad it was both Jimmy and Billy. I loved hearing Jimmy's input on everything since we've mostly gotten everything from Billy over the years. Massive respect for both of these guys. I'm so excited they are making new music and it's still amazing.
Mellon Collie is my all time favorite-even have #19226. Saw them in Sept of 96 at 17 years old. Took a girl with me who I was in love with-unrequited of course-absolute perfect memory
What a treat for a friday night (in Brazil)! . . [SPOILERS] . . . . . . . . PS: Jimmy getting emotional in the end is so beautiful. Man, this guy is my drumming hero, i watch every interview, every concert, every workshop and showcase and never saw him like that. Dude, what a moment.
That's why "Big Jimmy" is my hero too, it's not just technique, dedication and study ... music is emotion. As much as they speak ill of Billy's outward personality too, they have it all. It's in the songs.
It’s beautiful that these q&as exist. Amazing insight to the process. And agreed, XYU is heavy. Where Boys Fear and Zero too. I wish there was video of the tracking.
Incredible to hear this, 25 years on. You've no idea (maybe some idea by now) what Melon Collie did and continues to do for me. Some albums make you who you are. Other people may not see it, but you know it inside, you feel it. That's what Melon Collie did for me, man it's tied up with so many memories. I can instantly be transported to my room as a teen, stealing that album from my older sister's collection, putting it in my CD player and listening, and listening, and being immersed in sonic pleasure. (footnote: also thinking Smashing Pumpkins comprised of 2 lead vocalists due to Billie's stylistic tonal dynamics. Refer: Bullet With Butterfly Wings).
I love this interview so much! Billy, you're one of my heroes! thank you for being such an inspiration and the influence! and Jimmy, you're my favorite drummer ever and i'm happy that you partake in this interview cuz I get to hear your thoughts and stories! ♥️ Thank you Smashing Pumpkins for putting out amazing songs, I want you all to know that you're my most favorite band ever. ♥️♥️♥️♥️ Happy anniversary to my favorite album of all time: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness! also SP forever! ♥️🤘
“... the fact that any one of those songs you could put them on and it sounds like the Pumpkins ... “ yes, yes - the breadth of SP’s abilities, substance, and sound - not just remarkable, but legendary! This is why the music will always transcend time... 🖤✨
Zeitgeist is an underrated record in general with arguably Jimmy Chamberlin's best work in SP. Billy's leads too, he wanted to make a statement with the guitars on that album.
Tarantula was awesome ! Love the pure rock guitar feel of it ... the palm muted pre chorus (I want to be there when your happy ... I want to love you when your sad) when I heard that I was like oh hell yes that’s classic pumpkins sound !
Love the song and that album. Great production value, songs just rock and well composed, with Billy and Jimmy is at their best. So good. Jimmy is a drum god to me, though, so I know I am biased.
Watched the whole thing. All were very very lucky to have Flood. I think about how he came in at the right time. We all need someone in our live to give us that Beautiful Affirmation. What ever you are.... I want that.
Great interview. Wonderful insights. MCIS one of the great albums. I got the story....and wished at the time it was a triple album. Adore was hrilliant but still is too sad for me. And Machina.....man, i remember the joy of Jimmy being back and buying the album. Then realising it was over....the narrative. And all these years later how they came out the orher side as good as ever. Its so uplifting. What a band.
25 years!!! Godammit where the hell has time gone? Love all the iterations and meanderings of this legendary band. Can't wait to see where you go next!
Very interesting to hear Billy talk about his album/onstage personas and how he crafted that and became more conscious of it. It makes me think trippy thoughts about ego and what a person’s identity really is.
Billy said "Jellybelly" sounded like crazy people... Did he forget they made TALES OF A SCORCHED EARTH?! Why is this song treated like it doesn't exist? It's by far more angsty, reckless, noisey, and violently crazy than Jellybelly! I read once Billy said they couldn't even play it live because it was to fast to play and sing at the same time (something to that effect; not verbatim of course) I would die to hear TOASE live one day. Shoot, play Jellybelly again, why the hell not? What do they have to lose anymore? (Nothing)
James Iha should be the next to do a Q/A 🙏 Glad to heard Jimmy Chamberlin. I know how the songwriting of Billy Corgan is incredible but without the unique drumming skills of Jimmy and the touch of James Iha this band couldn't be the same. D'Arcy gaves a deep bass tone and Jeff is an amazing musician
Can not wait to see jimmy beating the skins live again As a hugh rock, alt, and metal fan ......jimmy is hands down the tightest and most rhythmic drummers of our age. His jazz foundations really cone through and give his rock drumming a very unique edge. Viva la pumpkins
It kills me the only time I've ever gotten to see Jimmy play live was a surprise showing with Jane's Addiction on Jane Says at Lollapalooza a couple years ago
Machina has been my favorite album of all time for 20 years. I love hearing Jimmy speak fondly of it (he's said before its musically his favorite era of the band). Billy has basically ignored it forever, because he's so caught up with popular reception. I think deep down he knows how brilliant that album is.
While I love the tracks individually, the concept was completely skewed due to the limitations of the record label, the album is messy and I’m just ready to hear the album as it was originally intended lmao
Billy are you serious...since no ones obviously brought it to ya alls attention.....pumpkins..hands down are the badasses band that ever has been..will be..and its an honor to have lived in your era!!!your depth..talent..knowledge and creativity, are 2nd to none!....its incredible and it ALWAYS seems like its some kind of mysterious magic you guys create when doing what you do. Thank You for sharing youve made all lives better in the paths that have crossed and that is a very beautiful thing...God Bless You all!!!!!
Love the Empire State Building reference. It make so much sense, considering how important the Art Deco style has been in a lot of Smashing Pumpkins artwork since Mellon Collie. The Shiny tour also incorporated this very much. It was absolutely lovely to experience that concert in Antwerp. WPC talking about his Belgian/Flemish ancestry, and of course Belgium being quite an important country for the Art Deco style.
It's an awsome masterpiece of art in music, word, artworks and technique all in one album. Thanks SP for giving us this for all of us who recieved this album in the 90' and thanks for all the generations who could listen to it and appreciate the meanings behind it in the future.
Omg, they were my all time favorite with Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness & those following while I was in high school. Never a CD that I bought that I ever regretted. Their boxed set had some gems in them too...where I got to see their identities more pronounced. Had a very private feel. So...their lyrics were plastered on all of the yearbooks I signed. So excited to see them again. Thank you!!!
I enjoyed immensely this peek behind the curtain. Really enjoyed to know better and more about SP. 😍 I also liked to bear witeness of the friendship between billy and jimmy because it's so heart warming. Thank you guys for this Q&A! 💗💖
You Guys are amazing !!! I was there !! I am your fan !! to the end !!! oh How much I love your music and your artwork !! Thank you so much for all you do !!
Glad you guys are together and keeping things going. God bless. To compare Siamese Dream and MCIS, it feels like SD was very driven with a narrower path to follow. The super heavy multilayered guitars prevails through the songs where, like Jimmy was saying, there were multiple paths that the songs of MCIS went down. There had to be a sense of fun with that since you guys tried different moods. There are some very Beatle-like moments on MCIS that SD didn't have, though Jellybelly was more SD like for sure. Jellybelly was so crazy but really it's a very tight song. Organized chaos for sure. The newer songs I'm thinking of sound like a new place. I'm a bit behind, but songs like Osaka had a new sound. The lyrics were playful and it doesn't sound like something you guys would have written for say SD, it's closer to an MCIS type tune but the synths were a new texture that felt fresh. Thanks again guys.
The Beatles were real goofballs on their interviews. I end up laughing along with them. They just own the room as they take questions. Isn't that what we want from our rock gods?
Absolutely amazing interview!! Great way of describing your music and characters to create the music!! Very spiritual on how we live in certain narratives defined by us.
14:10 this is truly the main reason I got into SP and they have remained my favorite band for almost 28 years. I'm into all kinds of genres and styles of music and no matter what I'm into at any moment, there's a perfect Pumpkins jam giftwrapped just for me. The range and eclecticness is legendary. Only band that could really top that is the Beatles in my opinion. As far as more of SP's contemporaries that could compare I'd have to mention the two other bands that tie as runner-ups as my fave - Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Buck-Tick. I highly recommend checking those two groups back catalogs for a similiar type of genre-bending.
Jimmy Chamberlain is the reason I began playing drums. Class act, impeccable musician, extremely talented. Mellon Collie was the first album I ever listened to beginning to end on tape cassette when I was 5 years old
Jimmy explaining the energy required for getting Jellybelly recorded…thank you👌🏻 The effort was more than worth it. My favourite Pumpkins song from a classic album✊🏻
