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The Smashing Pumpkins

Billy Corgan

Billy Corgan

Vocals, Guitar

James Iha

James Iha

Guitar

Jimmy Chamberlin

Jimmy Chamberlin

Drums

D'arcy Wretzky

D'arcy Wretzky

Bass

Formed: 1988
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Genre: Rock, Alternative Rock,
Years Active: 1988 - 2000; 2006 -
Meaning of the Name: "Smashing" is used in the British way, meaning "good".
Way of Working: Led by Billy Corgan
Associated: Zwan

Essential Releases

Siamese Dream

Siamese Dream (1993)

Fuzzy guitars and grungy textures mask feelings of bitter alienation.

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

Mellon Collie and the
Infinite Sadness
(1995)

A vast double album that treats adolescence like a fantastical journey into the unknown.

Game Theory

Adore (1998)

Darker. Gothic. More intimate. Makes use of electronic instruments.


Emerging in the US Midwest during the grunge boom of the early '90s, The Smashing Pumpkins staged a quiet revolution on their 1993 classic, Siamese Dream. In place of lo-fi grit, the band infused the record with emotional swells, earnest melancholia, and richly orchestrated guitars. They had the same sense of languished ennui as the Seattle bands, though in their case, the cathartic guitars were paired with the tender cries of their traumatised songwriter Billy Corgan, who had survived an abusive childhood.

Initially regarded on their local Chicago scene as "industry plants", partially due to their departure from Caroline Records, Corgan in particular was met with such raging hostility that it contributed to a period of severe suicidal ideation. Siamese Dream was forged under this immense internal pressure as a "middle finger" to the doubters.

The Pumpkins frontman mercilessly takes aim at those same critics in the lyrics of the acerbic 'Cherub Rock': "hipsters unite ... deep down they're frightened and scared if you don't stare." Painting such people as attention-seeking wannabes desperate to fit in with the cool crowd.

The irony is that Corgan's treatment as an insincere poser resulted in a song of genuine angst. It also served as a blistering rebuttal of the entire Chicago scene, and laid to rest any reasonable doubts about the band's credentials.

If their earlier work was a reaction to their peers, 1995's Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was a near-total departure from the expected '90s rock trajectory. Using facets of baroque pop, such as the harp and the mellotron, Corgan explored feelings suppressed since adolescence, over a grand runtime of 120 minutes.

From the Raphaelite album art to the steampunk aesthetic of the 'Tonight, Tonight' music video, the singer traverses various aspects of his past as if they were faraway stars. On 'Tonight, Tonight' he implores a younger version of himself to "believe" that a better life, one free from abuse, is just around the corner.

For all of his musical accomplishments, Billy Corgan remains a divisive figure. His personal life has often been defined by strained relationships, most notably his long-standing feud with ex-Pumpkins bassist D'Arcy Wretzky. However, it's this very willingness to wrestle with his inner demons in the public eye that makes his music so compelling.


Skills

*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.

Emotional Impact

i Does it connect with the heart? What does it make you feel and how much of it?
80

Mental Impact

i Does it connect with the head? Social issues, interesting observations, clever lyrics, similies etc.
65

Originality

i Are they unique? Did they break new ground, use new techniques or create new genres.
90

Artistry

i Using creativity and imagination to present themselves in a unique way. Example, Wu-Tang Clan as Shaolin and Marvel characters etc.
90

Authenticity

i Do they really mean what they say? Is it autobiographical, personal?
90

Live

i Stage presence, working the crowd, performance. Miming, forgetting lyrics reduce this.
70

Production

i Studio techniques. More important for electronic music including hip hop.
85

Musicianship

i Their ability to play individually and as a group. Technical skills. DJing. Freestyling for hip hop.
80

Singing

i Technical attributes.
70

Songwriting

i Storytelling. Cohesive themes. Is the song about something? Stan by Eminem is an example of excellent songwriting.
85

Danceability

i Does it make you move? Do you tap your foot, nod your head or move your whole body?
60

Fun

i Is listening to it a good time? Are the lyrics funny? Depressing themes lowers value.
40

Consistency

i Have they put out good music across their careers. Two good albums and 5 band ones will reduce this value. Reduced for Pixies due to their post-reunion albums.
45

Range

i Fast, slow, ballads, party jams. Do they go beyond their own genre?
80

Cool

i Laid-back, icy detachment, unflustered.
40

Charisma

i Factors include appearance, force of personality. Elvis making people faint etc.
30

Commercial & Critical Success

Awards >>>

  • Grammy Award WINNER! x2:
  • Grammy Award Nominee x10:
  • BRIT Award Nominee x1:
  • Juno Award Nominee x1:

Certifications >>>

  • Gish: Platinum in the US; Silver in the UK
  • Siamese Dream: Platinum in the US, Australia & Canada; Gold in the UK & Holland
  • Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness: Diamond in the US & Canada; Platinum in the UK, Germany, Australia & France
  • Adore: Platinum in the US, Australia & Canada; Gold in the UK & France
  • Machina: Platinum in Canada; Gold in the US, Australia & France; Silver in the UK
  • Zeitgeist: Gold in the US

Charts >>>

  • Siamese Dream: Number 3 in Canada; Number 4 in the UK; Number 10 in the US
  • Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness: Number 1 in the US, Canada & Australia; Number 4 in the UK; Number 6 in France
  • Adore: Number 1 in Australia & France; Number 2 in the US & Canada; Number 3 in Germany; Number 5 in the UK
  • Machina: Number 2 in Australia & Canada; Number 3 in the US; Number 4 in France & Germany; Number 7 in the UK
  • Zeitgeist: Number 1 in Canada; Number 2 in the US; Number 4 in the UK
  • Oceania: Number 4 in the US & Canada

Critics >>>

  • Pitchfork - Siamese Dream - The Best Albums of the '90s: 18th
  • Spin - Siamese Dream - The Best Albums of the '90s: 23rd
  • Time - Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness - The Best Albums of the 1995: 1st

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