July - December 1996
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December 24th 1996
Addicted To Noise staff writer Gil Kaufman reports: Smashing Pumpkin singer Billy Corgan's name has been added to the still-growing all-star bill set to pay tribute to David Bowie on Jan. 9 at New York's Madison Square Garden.
The concert, a 50th birthday celebration for Bowie, with all proceeds going to the Save the Children foundation, is already scheduled to feature cameos from Sonic Youth, Frank Black, the Foo Fighters, Lou Reed, The Cure's Robert Smith and an opening set from Placebo.
Bowie's new, self-produced album, Earthling is due out Feb. 11 and it reportedly features several songs with techno/jungle rhythms, not surprising given Bowie's constantly-shifting musical focus over the years.
December 12th 1996
No, Smashing Pumpkins did not abort their set at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California Monday night (Dec. 9), contrary to one published report. That report said that the band had played one song, then disappeared for 10 minutes, and came back onstage to jam disinterestedly for 35 minutes, and that angry fans were demanding their money back. In fact, the band played their normal set, which lasted over two hours.
December 11th 1996
Report by Catfish
During the SP show at the Anaheim Pond on Tuesday the 10th of December, Billy pointed to a "million dollar camera" hoisted on a long beam, and announced to the crowd that a filming crew is at work. He and James then asked for the fans' support, and the fans reponded with a rousing roar. The crowd's excitement lifted the show to a higher level, and the roaring cheers kept on coming through out the show.
Smaller camera crews walked among, and panned the crowd with shoulder held cameras, focusing mostly on the younger members of the audience.
At the end of the show, Billy waved at the crowd from each of the 3 front sides of the stage, in a move that's probably intended for the cameras.
It's unknown as of yet, what the band intends to do with these shots, but here's one who hopes that another Vieuphoria is on the way (The MCIS Tour version?).
The Anaheim crowd had given the band a tremendous boost the night before, and the excitement was even more heightened on Tuesday. A great couple of shows they were, and a good time was had by all.
Corgan's challenge: "Prepare for the American invasion." - ATN
(Thanks to Steve Hemming for the photo)
Addicted To Noise staff writer Gil Kaufman reports: Playing on the Oasis-led "second British Invasion" of the States, Billy Corgan warned the British to "prepare for the American invasion," at last night's MTV Europe Music Awards, adding that "Oasis should have won this," on the way to picking up the Best Rock Act Award for the Smashing Pumpkins.
Not to be outdone, Oasis, who were allegedly in the studio, unable to attend, won Best Rock Group, sending the message, "Keep the faith. Live Forever," in their place. Garbage picked up the Breakthrough Artist Award and Best Male Vocalist went to George Michael, who recently admitted he smoked a gang of weed before he wrote the lyrics to his stiff Dreamworks comeback, Older.
American artists cleaned house at the awards (most winners were from either the U.S. or Britain), including the Fugees (Best Group, MTV Amour Award, whatever that is), cheeseball rappers Backstreet Boys (Select MTV Award) and Canadian Alanis Morissette (Female Artist). Oasis also won for best song for "Wonderwall."
November 13th 1996
Pumpkins Ex-Drummer Surfaces In Super Group - ATN
Addicted To Noise staff writer Gil Kaufman reports:
Breeder's member Kelly Deal says The Last Hard Men, a supergroup
consisting of Deal, Skid Row's Sebastian Bach, the Frogs' Jimmy Flemion
and ex-Smashing Pumpkins drummer
Jimmy Chamberlin, are in fact more than just a weird rock and roll
rumor.
"If you've read any of my interviews lately, I talk about Sebastian a lot," Deal told Addicted To Noise, adding that she's not sure herself why that is. That's all well and good, but just how did this motley crew end up in the same recording studio?
"I saw this article in Spin magazine about hair bands and I was really bothered by it," said Deal. "I mean, here they were making fun of these bands, but what were the interviewers wearing? Grunge flannel? Baggy pants? I was bothered that Spin made fun of style because everything is style and it was done in a really mean way. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a huge metal fan either. I mean I like Sabbath, but glam metal was so pussy. It just didn't seem fair."
So, basically incensed, Deal, who'd always heard Bach had a great voice and was the realest of the hair band squealers (her words, not ours), called up a friend and tried to get set up with the singer...Her friend laughed at her, but a few weeks later Bach called and Deal said he was really cool, seemingly open to anything, with a real "punk rock attitude."
Bach came backstage at a Kelly Deal 6000 show in New York a short time later and the pair met and decided to do a cover of Alice Cooper's "School's Out" for the new Wes Craven movie, Scream . "We knew they wanted someone to do that song for the movie, so I thought 'who else could I get to do this?' See, my idea was always to have a band with two heavy metal guys and two others. I wanted Jimmy (Flemion) and Sebastian was supposed to bring Tommy Lee, but that didn't happen. Sebastian said it was too bad we couldn't get Jimmy (Chamberlin), but that he didn't think he'd do it. But I did my thing and called Jimmy up and asked him to do it. He said sure."
A few weeks ago, the unlikely quartet holed up in Pachyderm studios in Minneapolis and laid down 12 tracks in four days with Bach singing and playing theremin and percussion, Deal and Flemion singing and playing bass and guitar and Chamberlin handling drums, percussion and some vocals. "We were only supposed to do the cover," said Deal. "But once everybody got there, I extended the studio time and we knew we wanted to record more material."
Deal said she knew she wanted to do some Jimmy Flemion songs, including "If You Want a Rock, Go To the Quarry," one of her favorite Frogs tunes, and before they knew it they'd covered the Scorpions' "Leave Me" and the Rogers and Hammerstein nugget, "I Enjoy Being a Girl," done in a "Peggy Lee style."
Deal produced the album, whose other songs were penned by her and Flemion, and the ebullient sometimes Breeder said she expects it to come out on her own Nice Records label, with distribution via a bigger label. "I don't know if it's a one-off," said Deal. "And I don't know if we'll tour, although Sebastian is already drawing up pyro plans for the shows, but I don't think it's odd at all. I think this is normal, it's the thing everybody should be doing."
Other songs to be included on the album: "The Last Hard Men," "When Candy Comes," "When the Longing Goes Away," "Baby I'm King," "I Hate The Way You Walk," "Spider Love," "A View At 6:00," "Who Made You Do It," "Mail."
November 11th 1996
MTV Week in Rock Weekly Rewind (Thanks Sara)
And finally, Sebastian Bach, lead singer of Skid Row, announced this week that he's formed a band, The Last Hard Men, with former Breeders guitarist Kelly Deal on bass, ex-Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chaimberlin, both of whom have been arrested for heroin possession, The Frogs Jummy Flemion on guitar, bass and vocals. The groups first single, "School's Out," recorded for the upcoming Wes Craven horror film, "Scream," is due in late December.
November 9th 1996
WIN TICKETS ON IMUSIC
"Seattle's iMusic Is Just Giving 'Em Away"
Today iMusic launched its Free Tickets section, a new feature on iMusic which offers free tickets for Seattle-area shows. Yep - you heard it right - you can win free tickets to the Seattle-area show (or shows) of your choice. To win tickets on iMusic, simply click on "Free Tickets," pick the show you want to go to, and then enter your e-mail address.
Ticket winners will be notified via e-mail a couple of days prior to the show, so don't be lazy about checking your e-mail - chances are you could have a very important message waiting for you. Current ticket offerings include acts such as the Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Faith & Disease, Diamanda Galas and Body Count. Participants include the Backstage, Infinite Productions, Jazz Alley, MOE, Monqui Presents, O.K. Hotel, On The Boards, RKCNDY, Showbox, Sit & Spin and Tasty Shows.
While the section currently focuses on local venues, iMusic President Scott Blum fully expects to expand into cities across the United States in the near future. "We just started with our home town first," he explains. "You know," he adds, "people often accuse the Internet as encouraging anti-social behavior. With this new ticket section, we'll be doing just the opposite. You can't get much more social than being right in the middle of a sweaty mosh pit, up to your ankles in good microbrew, watching some of the hottest acts around." So true, so true.
Go to: http://imusic.interserv.com/free/ for more details.
November 7th 1996
BILLY MAKES HIS FILM MUSIC DEBUT - imusic
Corgan Appears on "Ransom" Soundtrack
Well, it looks like Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins is getting involved in the movie soundtrack biz. The guitarist/vocalist writes and performs several songs for the soundtrack to the thriller "Ransom."
While award-winning composer James Horner provides the driving orchestral underscore and primary themes for the soundtrack, Corgan was recruited to create and perform additional music that, as director Ron Howard put it, "brought a powerfully disturbing urgency to the music." While this is a first for Corgan, Horner has done film scores aplenty, for flicks like Legends of the Fall, Aliens and The Pelican Brief, to name just a few.
The Hollywood Records release is due to hit stores November 12.
November 7th 1996
Meeting Of The Minds?
Billy Corgan & Opie Kidnapping music? - ATN
Addicted To Noise staff writer Gil Kaufman reports: "Hey, Billy Corgan, your band sold seven million copies of their double-CD set. So what are you gonna do for an encore?" Take Hollywood, perhaps?
Addicted To Noise previously reported that Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan whipped up some instrumental music for Ron (Backdraft , Apollo 13) Howard's new action thriller, Ransom, starring Mel Gibson and Rene Russo. Now we've learned why the Artist Formerly Known as Opie Cunningham feels that the solo sounds crafted by Corgan are perfect for the film. It seems the moody, driven, not un-Pumpkins-like music is played by the kidnappers in the hostage's room, where Gibson's character's son is being held.
Here's what the director himself has to say about working with Corgan: "Billy Corgan brought a powerfully disturbing urgency to the music that our kidnappers listen to throughout the ordeal. It was great to have someone with such vision help us musically shape these scenes, instead of the usual series of unrelated songs by different artists. Billy's complete understanding of our movie and his wide range of musical styles made him an inspired choice. Beside that, I just got a big kick out of working with him."
According to a source at Hollywood Records, the company releasing the soundtrack, which also features a score by award-winning composer James (Braveheart, Cocoon) Horner, Corgan whipped up seven "musical cues" for the film. The cues, which feature Corgan playing everything except drums (handled by Filter drummer Matt Walker, the man who has been behind the kit for the Pumpkins tour), have typically Corganesque names like "Lizards," "Rats," "Rats with Tails," "Spiders," "Squirrels," "Worms 1," and, the only track with vocals, "Worms with Vocals." The source described the music as "mid-tempo guitar-driven rock, Pumpkinsy stuff, not a tremendous departure." You know, your typical kidnapper music.
November 4th 1996
QUOTE OF THE DAY - imusic
KELLEY DEAL, on her newly-formed band, The Last Hard Men.
"We're like the freaks of rock. Me and Chamberlin were both kicked out of bands, Sebastian is this weird metal dude, and Flemion is just plain odd. Too bad the name Misfits was already taken."
November 4th 1996
Deal and Chamberlin Form New Band - imusic
Word is that ex-Breeders Kelley Deal has hooked up with former Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin and formed a new band called The Last Hard Men. Apparently the two recovering addicts, after being kicked out of their respective bands, are trying to make a fresh start. To round things out, they've also enlisted the help of Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach and keyboardist Jimmy Flemion of The Frogs.
According to various reports, The Last Hard Men recently spent some time in the studio, recording nearly a dozen tracks, including a cover of Alice Cooper's "School's Out" (for Wes Craven's latest horror flick "Scream"), a cover of Peggy Lee's "I Enjoy Being A Girl" and The Scorpions' "Spider."
October 24 1996 - Allstar Music Magazine
(Thanks Christine A. Zardecki)
The Smashing Pumpkins' amazingly- talented/ recently- fired drummer Jimmy Chamberlin is said to be collaborating with Kelley Deal of the Breeders (that sounds like a lethal pairing) and Jimmy Flemion of the Frogs. OK, those three make sense, but (big gasp) Sebastian Bach of Skid Row is also said to be in this side project. (Bach is a big fan of Deal's, and was seen hanging out backstage quite a bit on her recent tour.
Oh, and Flemion has been a bit of a hanger-on himself on the Pumpkins' current tour, since his brother and bandmate Dennis Flemion is the Pumpkins' current keyboard player -- the guy who replaced the late Jonathan Melvoin, whose death caused the Pumpkins to fire Chamberlin. Whew, what a soap opera...) Anyway, our source says the band is in the studio recording a song or two for the soundtrack to Wes Craven's new thriller, Scream...
October 30 1996
Billy Corgan Flies Solo For A Song
No, he hasn't left the Pumpkins.
Addicted To Noise staff writer Gil Kaufman reports: The next David Lynch film, Lost Highway, will not include a Smashing Pumpkins song. Rather, it will feature a new composition titled "Eye," by Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan, without band. Now, even though Corgan has done solo soundtrack work before ( Ransom ), this is one of those rare occasions when a piece written and played by Corgan carries just his name. In case you haven't been keeping track, the Lost Highway soundtrack, produced by Trent Reznor, will include a new NIN song, "The Perfect Drug." Angelo Badalamenti does the score and Marilyn Manson contribute "Apple of Sodom" and a cover of "I Put a Spell On You." The movie, which stars Patricia Arquette and Bill Pullman, also features a cameo from Gap pin-up boy Henry Rollins. Oh yeah, David Bowie contributes "I'm Deranged," from his last album, Outside .
October 30 1996 - ATN
FROM THE SCRATCHIE RECORDS MAILING LIST:
Dear all: Thanks so much for your support of Fulflej and Chainsaw Kittens. Remember their records should be in stores now! I realize I sound like a self-promoting putz, but we're so proud of these two records that we really feel that these bands deserve to be listened to.
For those who are still waiting for their samplers -- they are coming! Sometimes things take longer to get out than we would like, but that's part of life.
Also, D'arcy and James wanted me to mention this: If anyone out there has purchased the Fulflej or Chainsaw Kittens record, we'd be really interested to know what you thought of them. Your comments and support mean so much to us.
Thanks so much.
Also, here's the dates for Fulflej's tour with Better Than Ezra:
11-9: Pontiac MI -- Sanctum 11-10: Grand Rapids -- Orbit Room 11-12: Cleveland -- Odeon Theatre 11-13: Rochester, NY -- Water St. Music Hall 11-15: Toronto, CAN -- Open House 11-16: Montreal, CAN -- Cafe Campus 11-18: Atlantic, NJ -- TBA 11-20: Northhampton, MA -- Pearl Street 11-21: Manchester, NH -- TBA 11-22: Boston, MA -- Avalon Ballroom 11-23: Providence, RI -- Lupos Heartbreak Hotel 11-25: New Haven, CT -- Toad's Place 11-26: New York, NY -- Irving Place 11-27: New York, NY -- Irving Place 11-29: Philadelphia, PA -- Theater of Living Arts 11-30: Newark, DE -- Stone Baloon 12-1: Washington DC -- 9:30 Club 12-3: Norfolk, VA -- The Abyss 12-5: Charlotte, NC -- TBA 12-6: Nashville, TN -- 328 Performance Hall 12-7: Atlanta, GA -- The Roxy Theater 12-10: Dallas, TX -- Deep Elum Live 12-12: Houston, TX -- Numbers 12-13: New Orleans, LA -- UNO Arena
(LETTER NOT SIGNED)
October 1996 - Rolling Stone Magazine
(Butch Vig talking about "Disarm" in a side article)
Trying to reach the light at the end of the tunnel on Siamese Dream, we were having trouble recording "Disarm" and kept putting it off. With all the other songs completed and our backs to the wall, we attempted to record the song with the full band. We tried various arrangements with the traditional Pumpkins sound: ringing guitars, pilsating bass and pounding drums. But it just wasn't working.
Out of frustration, Billy Corgan walked into the control room with his acoustic guitar, closed his eyes and san the song. It was so simple and emotionally direct, it made the hair rise on the back of my neck. And we both realized it was exatly the kind of feel the song needed.
So Billy went back into the studio and quickly recorded an intensely emotional "Disarm." From there we built the song up orchtrally, adding strings, tubular bells and timpani, while trying to keep the focus on his raw, acousic performance.
October 13 1996 - imusic
In a recent PA News article, MTV Europe's senior vice-president was quoted as saying: ...So far, confirmed acts for the awards ceremony include George Michael, Bryan Adams, Metallica, The Fugees, Garbage and Smashing Pumpkins.
October 10 1996 - ATN
Former Pumpkins Drummer Cuts Deal
Good news for Chamberlin.
If former Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin completes a rehab program by December (and stays clean) he won't go to jail. Here's the deal: Chamberlin, 32, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct when he appeared in court before Criminal Court Judge Donna Recant yesterday (Tues., Oct. 8).
He must complete the rehab program. If he does, he won't go to jail and his court records will be sealed. If he doesn't complete the program, or has a slip, he'll serve 15 days in jail. Chamberlin was present in a Manhattan Hotel room when Pumpkins' touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin overdosed in the early hours of July 12; Chamberlin and Melvoin had injected heroin in the hotel room shortly before midnight on July 11. A week after the tragedy, the Pumpkins fired Chamberlin. Billy Corgan has said that under no circumstances will Chamberlin rejoin the group, which has been touring with temporary drummer Matt Walker, who is a member of Filter.
October 8 1996 - Associated Press
ROCK DRUMMER PLEADS GUILTY
By Samuel Maull
(Thanks Khadejah Dein :)
NEW YORK (AP) James "Jimmy" Chamberlin, fired as drummer for the rock band Smashing Pumpkins after the group's keyboardist died from a drug overdose, pleaded guilty Tuesday to disorderly conduct.
Chamberlin, tieless in a dark blue suit, his jet-black hair spiked, pleaded guilty to the reduced charge before Criminal Court Judge Donna Recant as part of a deal in which he will undergo drug treatment.
If Chamberlin successfully completes a rehabilitation program by December, his court records will be sealed. If he fails, he will serve 15 days in jail.
Chamberlin, 32, of Chicago, was arrested July 12 and charged with misdemeanor drug possession after Jonathan Melvoin, 34, of Croan Ridge, Vt., died of a heroin overdose at the Regency Hotel. He faced up to a year in jail if convicted on that charge.
Police said Chamberlin and Melvoin injected heroin shortly after arriving at the hotel late July 11. Melvoin collapsed around 3:30 a.m., and Chamberlin tried in vain to revive him before calling police.
Smashing Pumpkins' other three members lead singer Billy Corgan, bass player D'Arcy Wretzky, and lead guitarist James Iha were staying at another hotel four blocks away. They were in town for a concert on July 14.
Eight days after Melvoin's death, the band released a statement saying they had ``decided to sever our relationship with our friend and drummer, Jimmy Chamberlin.'' The group had been together six years.
Oct 7, 1996
Smashing Pumpkins Get Strange In Chicago - ATN
Mr. Corgan keeps us guessing.
Addicted To Noise Chicago correspondent Matt Carmichael reports: The Smashing Pumpkins turned in a strong performance Sunday, finishing off their home-town stay on this tour. However, the show ended on a cryptic note. After their third encore, the extended 'Silverfuck' jam, Billy Corgan took a moment to reflect on the tour. "This is the tour we thought would never end," he said to the sold-out crowd at the Rosemont Horizon. He went on to praise the band for holding together despite the "irresponsible actions of two of our friends who shall remain nameless," referring of course to former drummer Jimmy Chamberlin who was fired after the drug-related death of Pumpkin keyboardist, Jonathan Melvoin.
What followed was what Corgan dubbed the "final communiqué from the Infinite Express." "We are murder, mayhem, malicious malcontents... misguided and misunderstood. This is the last glimpses and shines of what we started here in Chicago, nine years ago. Everything that follows from here is a different trip." He then had the house lights brought up so that everyone could share in the "special" moment before continuing: "Nine years ago we never dreamed we could play to this many people... No matter what happens, we shared this time together. It was special. It was great... We send you a message of love, trust, compassion and grace."
Then as they were walking off stage, D'Arcy stopped Corgan , and held up one finger. Corgan called James Iha back to the stage, went fetal on the floor and started into the final cut from their double-album, "Farewell and Goodnight." D'Arcy proceeded to dance with her stuffed St. Bernard and then beat Corgan with it playfully. Iha came out and kneeled before a toppled mic stand and played the song on an acoustic guitar. The rest of the band filtered back on stage to help sing, Corgan got up and played keyboards for a bit of it and finally ended the show with the final notes "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness."
The show saw the Pumpkins realizing Corgan's proclaimed life long dream of playing three nights at the Horizon thus equaling the feat of the Scorpions who played a similar stint when Corgan was 17. "We can now say that we're as big as the Scorpions were," Corgan exclaimed.
Also of note Corgan decreed that the show would be the last time that the character Jimmy Frog would pull members of the audience up on stage to dance during "1979." Of course he followed that by saying that it was the last concert he'd ever play and the last time he'd ever listen to music, so who's to say.
Who's to say about any of this. It was a show that saw both the band and the audience having a great time, as Corgan and Iha talked to the crowd a lot. What Corgan meant by his closing speech is unclear, but whatever the outcome, those who saw this tour in all its many phases, caught a glimpse of the Pumpkins at the height of their success.
Oct 4, 1996
Theatrical And Home Video Release Of Tibetan Concert Planned
Including Performances By Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, And Rage
A home video and theatrical release of this summer's successful Tibetan
Freedom Concert, held June 15-16 in San Francisco, is being planned for 1997. The concert, and
upcoming documentary video, features live performances from the Smashing
Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, Rage Against The Machine, Bjork, Fugees, Red Hot Chili Peppers, A
Tribe Called Quest, Yoko Ono, Beck, the Foo Fighters, and Sonic Youth.
Sept 26, 1996
Filter Cool About Drummer Touring With Pumpkins
Not sweating about their drummer's current job.
Addicted To Noise staff writer Gil Kaufman reports: If you're wondering what Filter are going to do now that their touring drummer, Matt Walker, is out on the road pounding the skins for Smashing Pumpkins, Filter co-founder Brian Liesegang says its no big deal.
"A lot of people say, 'What are you gonna do now?' and we're [Liesegang and his partner in Filter, Richard Patrick] just like, "Well, we're not on tour and I did all the drums for the first record, so what's the problem? It doesn't really affect us that much. Matt is one of my best friends and an amazing drummer and I do plan on him working on the next record, but at this stage of the game, we don't really need him and it's an amazing opportunity for him. He's only going to come back to us with more honed skills. The one thing Richard and I learned throughthis is that Filter has to essentially be he and I. But we do want Matt to work on the new record and we thinking about making it a hybrid between electronic and real drums and trying to create the aural illusion where you aren't sure where one is taking over and the other ends."
Liesegang says he and Walker are going into the studio in a few weeks to work on material for Filter's second album. As far as the Jimmy Chamberlin vs. Matt Walker debate, he says both are great drummers. "Matt is much more regimented than Jimmy Chamberlin. Jimmy Chamberlin is an amazing drummer, but he slows up and speeds down a lot. Matt is more precise, which isn't necessarily better, just different."
Sept 25, 1996
Pumpkins Settle On Name For New Singles Box Set
All the singles from Mellon Collie plus lots more...
A five-CD box set with the A-sides and B-sides from all of the Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness singles, as well as previously unreleased material will be called The Aeroplane Flies High. The set, to be released in November, will contain 33 songs, and a 36 page booklet with photos not previously released and liner notes written by the Pumpkins themselves. The five CDs will come packaged in a retro 45-rpm carrying case.
Perhaps the most interesting material in the set are five cover versions: The Cars "You're All I've Got Tonight," Missing Persons' "Destination Unknown," Blondie's "Dreaming," The Cure's "A Night Like This" and Alice Cooper's "Clones (We're All)." Some of the B-sides included: "Said Sadly," "Ugly," "The Boy," "Set The Ray To Jerry," "God," "Tribute To Johnny," "Marquis In Spades," and the title track.
Sept 18, 1996
The Box Set Story from MTV
Hi, I'm Tabitha Soren with MTV News .
Smashing Pumpkins are nothing if not prolific: if the two CD's worth of stuff on their latest album "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" wasn't enough, the band has also been turning out non-album single B sides by the dozen, and they'll all be collected in a new box set, called "The Airplane Flies High".
It will have 33 tracks, due out in time for the Christmas shopping season, of course. Most of the tracks haven't been available in the United States, as Billy Corgan explained to me when I spoke with him and then-drummer Jimmy Chamberlin back in June, when the Pumpkins launched their US tour.
BILLY CORGAN: Unfortunately, the way that the US singles system is, we can only put out three B sides on each single and still have it be considered a single. So... but in Europe and the rest of the world, we've been releasing five to six B sides per single. So the idea would be that in the set you could get all the B sides; it would have all the ones that had been released, plus all the additional ones, plus even more that would only be in the set.
SOREN: I see.
CORGAN: It's definitely a fan sort of thing. I mean...
SOREN: But, after that, does that mean that there's new material in there somewhere? New, original material?
CORGAN: In the set?
SOREN: Yeah.
CORGAN: There actually is material written after the "Melancholy" album. (Smiles.)
SOREN: OK. That's what I was trying to find out.
CORGAN: You're talking about someone who doesn't know how to get off of a train.
SOREN: Jimmy Chamberlin, who was fired by the Pumpkins after the heroin-overdose death of keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin, has a September 26th hearing in New York City on heroin possession charges, which were filed the day after Melvoin's death. The Pumpkins make up the New York dates they canceled after Melvoin's death this week, at Madison Square Garden Tuesday and Wednesday. As for the Pumpkins box set due in November, it will also include cover versions of the Cars' "You're All I Got Tonight," Missing Persons' "Destination Unknown," and the Cure's "Nights Like This."
Sept 10, 1996
Newsweek - I Love You, Man
-kendall hamilton and jean seligmann with kathrine chubbuck
There was a lot of love in the room at the MTV music video awards in New York last week. Centerfold turned MTV matchmaker Jenny McCarthy and Damon Wayans traded notes on their sex lives. Foo Fighters guitarest Pat Smear tried to kiss Mariah Carey--belive it or not, she demurred. Red Hot Chili Pepper Flea challenged Claudia Shiffer to a striptease. He got barer then she. Rapper LL Cool J might as well have been naked during a bumpy and grindy performance of his song "Doin' It". Afterward, too, that love feeling prevailed.
At MTV's party in Bryant Park, the volatile 2pac and his posse were representing like crazy, carrying signs proclaiming their loyalty to Death Row Records. But no one could tear themselves away from the stogie and single-malt station to challenge them. The best party, though, was hosted by the night's big winners, Smashing Pumpkins, at the four seasons. At the amazingly genial and star-chocked fest, Pumpkins-in-chief Billy Corgan, normally a prickly sort, was in top spirits, posing for photos and making up with Bush's Gavin Rossdale after a backstage tiff. What's rock coming to? Even Courtney Love behaved herself.
Sept 6, 1996
At the mtv awards, all the world's a stage - NY Times
by Neil Strauss
"It wasn't until the private after-after party given by the Smashing Pumpkins at the Four Seasons hotel that the celebrities could stop performing, lift off most of the burden of their fame and become just people again.
A small gathering with a fantastic array of musicians (the Pumpkins, courtney love, metallica, beck, the foo fighters, seal, van halen, bush, aerosmith, alice cooper, marilyn manson, bjork, ric ocasek) supermodels (helena christensen, amber valletta, shalom harlow, trish goff) and athletes (four ny mets), it was like any other late-night party.
There was a good dj, but it was Ben Watt of everything but the girl; there was a woman criticizing her boyfriend for not paying enough attention to her, but he was billy corgan of the smashing pumpkins; there was a man talking about the bachelor party he had just come from, except it was the e street band guitarist steve an zandt. there were people walking around looking for drugs, except they, too, were familiar musician.
Sept 6, 1996
QUOTE OF THE DAY - imusic
JAMES IHA of The Smashing Pumpkins, backstage at this week's MTV awards, on David Lee Roth's return to Van Halen after a ten-year absence.
"Diamond Dave, back in the saddle. Thumbs Up"
Sept 6, 1996
Pumpkins' Corgan Not Into Scratchie - ATN
What's up with Billy Corgan? He seems to have a problem with his band mates James Iha's and D'Arcy's side project, Scratchie Records. When the three Pumpkins were interviewed by MTV's Tabitha Soren and asked about Scratchie, Corgan got visibly peeved and said, "I can't believe how much press this label is getting." He seemed steamed about Scratchie getting the spotlight on "their" night. When Iha elaborated on the "not run of the mill" rock bands on the label, he mentioned the Frogs and, in an attempt to include Corgan, said the bald one might produce that band. Corgan shook his head and said, "No way, no."
Sept 5, 1996
SMASHING PUMPKINS SWEEP MTV AWARDS - imusic
"We've had an interesting year . . ."
Chicago-based alterna-rockers The Smashing Pumpkins walked off with seven awards out of a possible eight at last night's 13th Annual MTV Music Video Awards. The band won awards for video, direction, best alternative, best breakthrough, art direction, special effects and cinematography. "We've had an interesting year," Billy Corgan reportedly told the audience. "We lost a friend, we lost a drummer, but we hope we haven't lost any fans. To anyone who wonders, we're fine."
Other winners last night included Alanis Morissette, who won best female artist, new artist and the editing award for "Ironic;" rapper Coolio, who won best rap video and video from a film for his hit "Gangsta's Paradise" and best dance video for "1,2,3,4;" Bush, who won the viewers' choice award for "Glycerine;" Foo Fighters, who won best group video for "Big Me;" and The Fugees, who won the R&B award for "Killing Me Softly." Broadcast live to 100 countries and hosted by comedian Dennis Miller, the MTV awards show was held at the landmark Radio City Music Hall.
Sept 4, 1996
Pumpkins are big MTV winners - Associated Press
NEW YORK - Smashing Pumpkins ruled the evening, beating Alanis Morissette (Ironic), among
others, and winning best video and
breakthrough video for Tonight, Tonight.
They also took best alternative video for 1979. Morissette won best new artist.
Smashing Pumpkins made their first TV appearance since the heroin-overdose death of backup keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin in July - an event followed by the firing of drummer Jimmy Chamberlain, reportedly also involved with drugs.
"We've had an interesting year. We lost a friend. We lost a drummer. But I hope we haven't lost any fans," singer-guitarist Billy Corgan said. "To anyone who wonders, we're fine."
Winners at the MTV Video Awards ceremony in New York City:
Best Video of the Year: Smashing Pumpkins, Tonight, Tonight.
Breakthrough Video: Smashing Pumpkins, Tonight, Tonight.
Best Direction in a Video: Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris for Smashing Pumpkins, Tonight, Tonight.
Best Alternative Video: Smashing Pumpkins, 1979.
Best Art Direction: K.K. Barrett & Wayne White for Smashing Pumpkins, Tonight, Tonight.
Best Special Effects in a Video: Chris Staves for Smashing Pumpkins, Tonight, Tonight.
Best Cinematography in a Video: Declan Quinn for Smashing Pumpkins, Tonight, Tonight.
Sept 3, 1996
Catherine Album Recorded At Pumpkins' Bassist D'Arcy's Farm - ATN
D'Arcy appears on Catherine album
Addicted To Noise staff writer Gil Kaufman reports: What is it they say about looking a gift horse in the mouth? Although singer Mark Rew says they're grateful for the boost, Chicago rockers Catherine don't seem to really care how much attention having a member of one of the biggest bands on earth sing back-up on your first single might generate for them. Hot Saki and Bedtime Stories the band's second full-length CD, which hits stores on September 17, was recorded on an apple farm in Southern Michigan owned by drummer Kerry Brown and his wife, Smashing Pumpkins bassist D'Arcy Brown, who duets with Rew on the first single, "Four Leaf Clover".
"We were half-way into recording the disc," said Rew by phone from Michigan the other day, "and we had a couple of songs where I was just going to do the backing vocals and they sounded okay, but not great. We though maybe it would be nice to have female voice in the mix." Fortunately for them, D'Arcy was in-between Pumpkins commitments at the time and, since she was always around anyway and the studio is on her property, they figured she was the obvious choice. "At first we mixed it way down, then we re-tracked it as a duet and it sounded really good."
Ironically, though, Rew says the song, even with its star cache, wouldn't have been his first choice for a single. "The record company said it had to be the single, but I would have picked a different one," he says, sounding both bitter and resigned. Aside from its infectiously catchy nature, which marks a new, decidedly glam bent for the band, the ditty is significant because it represents, one of the few times D'Arcy's voice has figured prominently on recorded material.
"They say she sings back-up on the Pumpkins records, but it seems to be mixed way down," said Rew.
August 30, 1996
PUMPKINS RULE OUT RE-HIRE - iMusic
". . . it would take a lot of tea in China to go back to that."
It sounds like The Smashing Pumpkins have definitively ruled out rehiring Jimmy Chamberlin, the drummer fired in connection with the recent overdose death of the band's back-up keyboardist, Jonathon Melvoin. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Corgan apparently said he sometimes wished the original line-up could be back together again.
"But there's that sentiment in my heart where I feel I've really turned a corner on it," the magazine quoted him as saying. "I still believe he's [Jimmy Chamberlin] got God's gift. But it would take a lot of tea in China to go back to that." Chamberlin, who was with Melvoin at the time of his death, was charged with possession of controlled substances. The musician now faces a September 25th court date. If convicted, he could face a maximum term of one year in jail.
August 28, 1996
DRUMMER GONE FOR GOOD - O.C. Register
Smashing Pumpkins, who went on the road this week for the first time since the U.S. band's keyboardist died of a drug overdose, has ruled out rehiring the drummer fired in connection with the tragedy.
Billy Corgan, the popular rock band's vocalist and main songwriter, told Rolling Stone magazine that he sometimes wished the original lineup could be back together again.
"But there's that sentiment in my heart where I've really turned a corner on it. I still believe he's (Jimmy Chamberlin) got God's gift. But it would take a lot of tea in China to go back to that," the magazine quoted him as saying in its upcoming Sept. 3 issue.
Touring keyboard artist Jonathan Melvoin overdosed on a mixture of alcohol and heroin in a New York hotel room July 12, the day the band was scheduled to begin a sold-out two-night stand at Madison Square Garden. T
he band's drummer, Chamberlin, who was with Melvoin at the time, was charged with possession of controlled substances. The band fired Chamberlin five days later.
August 29, 1996 - ATN
Smashing Pumpkins Triumphant Return To Action
The Smashing Pumpkins first official show with new touring drummer Matt Walker and new touring keyboardist Dennis Flemion was, for the most part, a solid success. Playing to an estimated 7,500 fans at the Thomas & Mack Center arena in Las Vegas, the revitalized Pumpkins sounded incredible, as they powered through Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness material like "Zero," "Bullet With Butterfly Wings," "Tonight, Tonight" and others.
At one point during the performance Pumpkins' leader Bill Corgan told the crowd, "We haven't had the easiest year...but I don't want to talk bout that... I want you to know that we don't take anything for granted. We certainly don't take you for granted."
According to Mike Wetherford, a reporter at the Las Vegas Review Journal, the band seemed a bit stiff at times and weren't always able to connect with the audience. That's to be expected. After nearly a decade with the same line-up, one doesn't expect even a veteran band like the Pumpkins to be able to change their drummer and keyboardist and be completely at ease by their second public appearance (the group performed a club date last Friday, as previously reported in Addicted To Noise).
Meanwhile, "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" has just been certified by the RIAA for shipments exceeding 7 million copies, thereby making it the best-selling double-CD in history.
To crown a good week, the Pumpkins are up for 9 MTV Video Music Awards for "1979" and "Tonight, Tonight," including, Best Video of the Year, Best Alternative video (for "1979"), Best Direction in a Video, Best Special Effects in a Video, Best Art Direction in a Video, Best Editing in a Video, Best Cinematography in a Video, Breakthrough Video and Viewer's Choice. Speaking to the L. A. Times after the Vegas show, Corgan said, "We're surprised at how unweird it felt out there. We worried it might feel creepy or weird or some kind of deflated stage, but it doesn't feel like that at all."
August 27, 1996 - PRNewswire/ via Individual Inc.
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Aug. 27
The Smashing Pumpkins' Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness has been certified seven times platinum in the U.S., making it the best selling double CD of all time, announced today by Virgin Records America.
The accolade adds to the band's growing list of honors from around the world. Mellon Collie has also been certified nine times platinum in Canada; triple platinum in Australia and New Zealand; double platinum in Ireland; platinum in Portugal and Belgium. Gold certifications have been awarded in the UK, France, Holland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Singapore, and Denmark.
Mirroring the phenomenal retail success, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was named Album of the Year by Time magazine. Readers of Rolling Stone and Request voted it Album of the Year and Best Album Cover. In addition, Rolling Stone named Billy Corgan Best Songwriter and Request named Smashing Pumpkins their Artist Of The Year.
Amid all the acclaim, The Smashing Pumpkins recently received nine MTV
Video Music Award nominations for two separate music videos -- "Tonight,
Tonight" and "1979" -- both of which were directed by Jonathan Dayton
and Valerie Faris. The nomination categories include:
Best Video of the Year -- "Tonight, Tonight"
Best Alternative Video -- "1979 "
Best Direction in a Video -- "Tonight, Tonight"
Best Special Effects in a Video -- "Tonight, Tonight"
Best Art Direction in a Video -- "Tonight, Tonight"
Best Editing in a Video -- "Tonight, Tonight"
Best Cinematography in a Video -- "Tonight, Tonight"
Breakthrough Video -- "Tonight, Tonight"
Viewer's Choice -- "Tonight, Tonight"
Commenting on The Smashing Pumpkins' accomplishments, Phil Quartararo, President and CEO of Virgin Records America, said: "By aspiring to the highest levels of creativity, The Smashing Pumpkins have earned amazing success in both artistic and commercial terms. Virgin Records feels privileged to work with artists who possess the courage to challenge audiences with bold new musical ideas, and we are grateful to the millions of fans worldwide who recognize and appreciate The Smashing Pumpkins' unique creative vision."
August 27, 1996 - Reuters
Smashing Pumpkins rule out taking drummer back
LOS ANGELES, The Reuters World Service via Individual Inc. : TheReturn-Path: nicole11@ix.netcom.com
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 14:28:04 -0600
From: Nikki Christoff Billy Corgan, the popular rock band's vocalist and main songwriter, told
Rolling Stone magazine he sometimes wished the original line-up could be
back together again to continue their assault on the world's music
charts.
``But there's that sentiment in my heart where I feel I've really turned
a corner on it. I still believe he's (Jimmy Chamberlin) got God's gift.
But it would take a lot of tea in China to go back to that,'' the
magazine quoted him as saying in its upcoming Sept. 3 issue.
Touring keyboard artist Jonathan Melvoin overdosed on a mixture of
alcohol and heroin in a New York hotel room on July 12, the day the band
was scheduled to begin a sold-out two-night stand at Madison Square
Garden.
The band's drummer, Jimmy Chamberlin, who was with Melvoin at the time,
was charged with possession of controlled substances. The band,
despairing of his well-documented history of drug abuse, fired
Chamberlin five days later.
The band resumed their tour in Las Vegas on Tuesday night with Matt
Walker of techno-punk band Filter on drums and Dennis Flemion of
underground duo the Frogs on keyboards. Both are considered temporary
replacements.
Chamberlin, meanwhile, faces a court date on Sept. 25 and a maximum term
of one year in jail if convicted.
August 27, 1996
"MELLON COLLIE" MADNESS
According to Virgin Records America, The Smashing Pumpkins' "Mellon Collie
and the Infinite Sadness" has been certified seven times platinum in the U.S.,
making it the best selling double CD of all time. "Mellon Collie and the Infinite
Sadness" has also been certified nine times platinum in Canada; triple platinum in
Australia and New Zealand; double platinum in Ireland; platinum in Portugal and
Belgium, and has been awarded gold certifications in the UK, France, Holland,
Italy, Norway, Spain, Singapore and Denmark.
August 26, 1996
If you closed your eyes, you might not have been able to tell that two
of the members on stage had only been in the band for a few weeks. If
you opened you eyes, you'd see the usual: Billy Corgan's cleanly-shaved
head, arched back and somber look to match his black long-sleeved
t-shirt, James Iha's wildly streaked hair and dazed demeanor and bassist
D'Arcy's slightly bored party girl pout offset by her shiny silver
miniskirt and
shimmering shirt.
If you looked closer you would see the drum risershaking as a result of new tour drummer Matt Walker's (on load from
Filter) aggressive playing and you might just catch a glimpse of the
shadowy, Howard Stern-like figure of touring keyboardist Dennis Flemion
(on load from The Frogs) hiding in the unlit space behind Iha, quietly
and unassumingly filling in for the late Jonathan Melvoin, who died of a
drug overdose on July 12. To put it cornily, the Pumpkins were simply
Smashing in their return to the stage last Friday afternoon.
As reported
in "Music News of the World "on Saturday (please see that day's news for
the full details), the 1 P.M. matinee, announced just the night before
on the local commercial alternative radio station, was proof that the
band has taken a big step toward rebounding from the double whammy of
Melvoin's death and their subsequent decision to fire original drummer
Jimmy Chamberlin.
In what
amounted to a virtual love-fest between artist and audience, during
which shouts of "we love you" followed every other song, the Pumpkins
played a two-hour set derived mostly from Mellon Collie and the Infinite
Sadness and even though Flemion and Walker have only had two weeks to
practice with the band, for the most part, their playing was seamless.
Walker added a new energy and jazzy attitude to his drum parts,
elevating them from
the bombast of Chamberlin's arena-ready style to a brighter,busier level
that swung as much as it pounded, providing a renewed, driving kick to
songs like "Today" and a rolling, skittering rumble to newer songs like
"Fuck You (an ode to no one)."
Mostly though, just as their unwavering
self-assurance and uncompromising stubbornness has made Mellon Collie
one of the biggest-selling double-CD's of all time (when double-sets
from other bands are tanking left and right), the Pumpkins came back for
more with a vengeance and an attitude, putting their fear anger and
emotions into the songs, where they belong.
August 24, 1996
Addicted To Noise staff writer Gil Kaufman reports: Great artists, it's
been said, rise to the occasion.
Whether they're painters, singers, runners or bullshit, when they fall
down they find a way to get up and keep going. Yesterday, the
renewed Smashing Pumpkins put in their first ballot for the Everything
That Rises Must Converge Hall of Fame. The Good news? Jimmy
Chamberlain doesn't have much of a chance of getting his job back
because new tour drummer Matt Walker is a monster. After several
weeks of closely-guarded rehearsals, the Pumpkins unveiled their new
touring line-up at a matinee show in their old favorite haunt, the Metro,
and the results were impressive. The show was announced on a local
radio station at 6 P.M. Thursday night, tickets went on sale at 7 P.M.
and by 8, the show was sold out. In typical Pumpkins fashion, the band
made sure scalpers didn't get their hands on tickets by limiting
purchases to just a pair and requiring at least one form of picture ID at
the door.
Walker (currently on leave from Filter) wasn't the only new member the
band was showing off. Although replacement keyboardist Dennis
Flemion of Milwaukee's Frogs, didn't play on at least half the tunes, his
theatrical presence on stage, think Howard Stern crossed with Joey
Ramone in a green jacket and bow tie, brought a lighter feel to the
Pumpkins sometimes overbearing rock mini-operas. But it was Walker
and his jazzy, syncopated drumming, that really sparked new life into
the band. Walker's muscular drumming (the whole riser seemed to
shake when he really got going) and intuitive feel established his distinct
personality early on in the nearly two-hour show. After only a few
weeks of rehearsing with the group, he seemed to already have gotten a
feel for how to read singer Billy Corgan's flights of fancy, following him
on almost every one, proving that he's earned the job and stepped up
capably to the task.
The Pumpkins are often at their loosest and most charming in
smaller settings, such as their two low-dough shows for fans last
February during which they unveiled much of what became Mellon
Collie and the Infinite Sadness , and their fans never fail to
reciprocate their love for the band. During "Tonight, Tonight," the
enthusiastic, mostly underage crowd sang along and shouted "we love
you," and when Corgan got to the "believe in me," line, he couldn't help
but crack a smile at the thundering response, his fans telling him they
were glad the Pumpkins were back for more. The entire band looked
energized by the new set-up, with James Iha cracking jokes about
stuffing his trusty dog, Buck, bassist D'Arcy really going at her
instrument and enthusiastically mouthing the words to a number of
songs, and Corgan sheepishly smiling and lapping up the unrestrained
affection of the crowd. At one point after a loose, jazzy version of
"Take Me Down," Iha admitted to the audience that the band was "very
rusty," to which Corgan said, "we're always rusty when we play the
Metro," and the punch line delivered by D'Arcy, "we're rusty every time
we play."
After a short set of songs that featured surprising acoustic guitar work
by Corgan, he addressed the audience again, saying, "We like playing a
smaller place like this because we can see you throw shit." With his
hand above his eye, he said, "Don't do it or we'll kick your ass. We
may be wimpy, but we know karate." Corgan then dedicated an
acoustic version of "Disarm" to "all our friends, of which we have
many," and before the song was over, Corgan learned it was true when
he was pelted with more cries of "we love you." The only clue that the
band was working with a new drummer came during a searing "Bullet
with Butterfly Wings," when Corgan turned and gave some head signals
to Walker, who fell right into line. As if to prove how tight the band has
gotten in a short time, Corgan brought songs to their apex and then
dropped the bottom completely out several times and each time all the
players were right on target. After an hour and fifteen minutes, they
brought the first set to a close with a feedback-laden stab at "Porcelina
of the Vast Oceans," content that they'd passed the first trial by fire.
Corgan dedicated "Muzzle" to his wife, "the best friend you could have
for the last ten years," and after a bit of impromptu digression by Iha,
during which he rambled about branching out into performance art and
doing a play about bread, Corgan mumbled, "I feel like we're opening
up for Oasis." When they left the stage a second time, after a cathartic
go through "x.y.u.," new keyboardist Dennis Flemion gamely waved to
friends up in the balcony and flashed his first smile of the day, proof that
he was as excited to have this gig as the Pumpkins were to have him.
Flemion was then re-united with his brother, Frogs singer Jimmy
Flemion, who came on-stage and sang a brief song about the merits of
Wisconsin cheese over Chicago cheese and generally made a nuisance
of himself by knocking over mikes with his green, glittery wings.
"Fuck
You (an ode to no one)" was preceded by a half-dozen taped loops of
what sounded like Corgan talking about clouds and water, and then
stretched out into a psychedelic jam that stretched to 20 minutes, during
which Flemion repeatedly peered sideways over to Walker in what
looked like relief at just keeping up.
The Pumpkins have responded to the tragedy that struck last month by
taking their anger and pain and pouring it into their music; drugs and
death may have devastated the band, but they've come back fighting
with a show that celebrates life, and looks to the future.
MERCURY AND SCRATCHIE FORM JOINT VENTURE
It was just announced that Mercury Records has formed a joint venture with the
Chicago-based indie label Scratchie Records to "market, promote, manufacture and
distribute records." The announcement was made today by Mercury Records president and
ceo, Danny Goldberg and Scratchie Records president Jeremy Freeman.
The New York-based Mercury Records Group's current roster includes artists like Bon
Jovi, Joan Osborne, John Mellencamp and Rusted Root. Mercury also markets and
promotes Def Jam Records and Capricorn Records. Scratchie Records is perhaps best
known as the indie label formed last year by James Iha and D'Arcy of The Smashing
Pumpkins along four other industry heavyweights. Under the new agreement, all six
Scratchie owners will be working in all areas of the label's day-to-day business with support
from Mercury in the areas of marketing, promotion, retail and publicity.
"I look forward to working with a group of people as diverse as the Scratchie owners,"
Goldman was quoted as saying. "They bring a unique perspective to A&R that makes the
label attractive to other artists, and a important addition to the Mercury family." The
Smashing Pumpkins' D'Arcy had this to say: "People are more flexible and experimental
than most record companies give them credit for. Go to any party and you'll hear a Black
Sabbath song segue into something like A Tribe Called Quest. The days of musical division
are over. Most people just want to hear good music and that's what Scratchie is all about.
We'll be fast and inventive and always looking for new sounds and exciting bands."
Upcoming releases are said to include albums by Fulflej, The Chainsaw Kittens, The Frogs,
Phoenix Thundestone and Mike Ladd.
August 24,1996
Incredible return of the Pumpkins. (SP plays the metro Aug 23rd 1996)
Addicted To Noise staff writer Gil Kaufman reports: Great artists, it's
been said, rise to the occasion.
Whether they're painters, singers, runners or bullshit, when they fall
down they find a way to get up and keep going. Yesterday, the
renewed Smashing Pumpkins put in their first ballot for the Everything
That Rises Must Converge Hall of Fame. The Good news? Jimmy
Chamberlain doesn't have much of a chance of getting his job back
because new tour drummer Matt Walker is a monster. After several
weeks of closely-guarded rehearsals, the Pumpkins unveiled their new
touring line-up at a matinee show in their old favorite haunt, the Metro,
and the results were impressive. The show was announced on a local
radio station at 6 P.M. Thursday night, tickets went on sale at 7 P.M.
and by 8, the show was sold out. In typical Pumpkins fashion, the band
made sure scalpers didn't get their hands on tickets by limiting
purchases to just a pair and requiring at least one form of picture ID at
the door.
Walker (currently on leave from Filter) wasn't the only new member the
band was showing off. Although replacement keyboardist Dennis
Flemion of Milwaukee's Frogs, didn't play on at least half the tunes, his
theatrical presence on stage, think Howard Stern crossed with Joey
Ramone in a green jacket and bow tie, brought a lighter feel to the
Pumpkins sometimes overbearing rock mini-operas. But it was Walker
and his jazzy, syncopated drumming, that really sparked new life into
the band. Walker's muscular drumming (the whole riser seemed to
shake when he really got going) and intuitive feel established his distinct
personality early on in the nearly two-hour show. After only a few
weeks of rehearsing with the group, he seemed to already have gotten a
feel for how to read singer Billy Corgan's flights of fancy, following him
on almost every one, proving that he's earned the job and stepped up
capably to the task.
The Pumpkins are often at their loosest and most charming in
smaller settings, such as their two low-dough shows for fans last
February during which they unveiled much of what became Mellon
Collie and the Infinite Sadness , and their fans never fail to
reciprocate their love for the band. During "Tonight, Tonight," the
enthusiastic, mostly underage crowd sang along and shouted "we love
you," and when Corgan got to the "believe in me," line, he couldn't help
but crack a smile at the thundering response, his fans telling>
AUGUST 23,1996
Smashing Pumpkins Back In Action - ATN
The Smashing Pumpkins are set to perform publicly
for the first time since the death of touring keyboardist Jonathan
Melvoin, and the subsequent firing of Pumpkins' drummer Jimmy
Chamberlin. Today's performance--scheduled for 1 P.M. at the
Metro, an 1100 capacity Chicago club--will find the Pumpkins'
new touring line-up taking the stage. Joining Pumpkins' members
Billy Corgan, D'Arcy and James Iha are Filter drummer Matt
Walker and Frogs' keyboardist Dennis Flemion. The show was
announced Thursday evening on Chicago radio, and was
sold-out within an hour. Tickets were $12 each, and all
proceeds will go to a charity, Christmas Is For Kids.
By 9 A.M.
this morning fans were lining up outside the club, some hoping to
catch a glimpse of the group members. The Pumpkins were in a
closed rehearsal at the Metro for most of the day Thursday.
According to a source who was there, the band sounded
superb, and Walker more than fit in. We're told his drumming
sounded better, more intense and aggressive than when he plays
with Filter. Walker broke at least three drum sticks during the
rehearsal and "pummels the drums like nobody's business." Our
source described Walker's playing with the group as "unreal."
Meanwhile, Corgan has broken his silence regarding the death
of Melvoin. In the next issue of Rolling Stone--the one with
Conan O'Brien on the cover--Corgan said that the group was in
a kind of denial during the first two days. "It wasn't until 48
hours later that the bomb hit," Corgan said. "The real weight of
it: Jonathan's life. Jimmy's life. It was completely devastating."
AUGUST 18, 1996
"Help not wanted"
It must have seemed like a good idea at the time: Do what any struggling
band does when it needs an extra player - put an ad in the paper. But
for the multiplatinum Smashing Pumpkins, mid-June notices in Chicago's
weekly Reader and New City are turning out to be declarations band
members would rather forget. "The Smashing Pumpkins are looking for a
keyboarder to acoompany them for live performances," the three-inch ad
stated. "Please send a five-mintue cassette tape of youself playing
whatever you wish (please, no Pumpkins songs)." The band's explicit
encouragment of low-quality "boombox tapes" was meant, says guitarist
James Iha, to seek out amateurs and acoid the "bad attitudes that goes
along with professional studio musicians."
But aspring Pumpkins needn't wait by the phone. Two months later, a
refrigerator box of cassettes graces Chicagos Soundworks studios, and
there's not a lsitening session in sight. "We've been to busy to deal
with them," says Iha. "I don't want to listen to a bunch of wack
keyboard players. It sounds like a nightmare to me."
AUGUST 15, 1996
Jimmy Chamberlin, the former drummer for the rock group The Smashing
Pumpkins, has pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance
in
connection with the death of the band's back up keyboardist, Jonathan
Melvoin.
Chamberlin entered the plea yesterday in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Chamberlin
was charged after bandmate Melvoin was found dead of a heroin overdose
last
month in a Manhattan hotel room. Chamberlin's court date was set for
September
26. If convicted, the musician could face up to one year in prison.
AUGUST 14, 1996
NEW YORK (Reuter) - The drummer for the alternative rock group Smashing
Pumpkins has pleaded innocent to a drug charge in connection with the death of
another band member, officials said Wednesday.
Jimmy Chamberlin entered a plea of not guilty to criminal possession of
a controlled substance, a
misdemeanor, on Tuesday in Manhattan Criminal Court, authorities said.
He was charged after the band's backup keyboard player, Jonathan
Melvoin, was found dead of a
heroin overdose in a room in Manhattan' s Regency Hotel on July 12.
Police said Chamberlin had
alerted them via the 911 emergency number.
Chamberlin was released on his own recognizance and given a court date
of Sept. 26, authorities
said.
If convicted, he faces up to one year in jail.
Melvoin had been touring for six months with the Smashing Pumpkins, a
Chicago-based
alternative band whose lyrics often deal with alienation and confusion.
AUGUST 14, 1996
Jimmy Chamberlin, the former
drummer for the Smashing Pumpkins
showed up at Manhattan Criminal Court yesterday and pleaded
innocent to charges he shot up heroin in a New York hotel room
last month. Chamberlin was arrested and charged on July 12,
after police responded to a 911 call for help and found
Pumpkins touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin, who police
alleged had shot up heroin with Chamberlin, dead of a heroin
overdose.
Chamberlin, who is 32, has been in a rehab program
since mid-July, and his lawyer, Richard Schaeffer, has told
reporters that the drummer is "doing quite well" and "trying to
get healthy." Chamberlin has, according to Schaeffer, been
addicted to heroin for nine years. In court yesterday,
Chamberlin pleaded innocent to a misdemeanor possession
charge, and was released on his own recognizance. He is due
back in court on Sept. 26th.
AUGUST 12 1996
Addicted To Noise staff writer Gil Kaufman reports: Ex-Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy
Chamberlin is in a drug rehabilitation program, as reported weeks ago by Addicted To
Noise, according to today's Chicago Tribune. According to the article, Chamberlin,
who is scheduled for an arraignment on drug possession charges in New York on Tuesday
(Aug. 13) stemming from his arrest following the overdose death of Pumpkins touring
keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin, is "trying to get healthy," in the words of his attorney,
Richard Schaeffer. Schaeffer, speaking on behalf ofChamberlin, said, "I think this was a
terrible tragedy. A friend passed away, and it has affected his [Chamberlin's] life in a
significant way." Schaeffer said he hopes to work out "an appropriate disposition" with
the New York DA's office, in light of the fact that Chamberlin has never been arrested
before, "let alone convicted of any crime."
AUGUST 10 1996
The Smashing Pumpkins concerts that were originally scheduled to take place from August
12 through August 25 have been re-scheduled. The group--singer/guitarist Billy Corgan,
guitarist James Iha and bassist D'Arcy--augmented by new touring drummer Matt
Walker and touring keyboardist Dennis Flemion, will make up those dates during December
and January. Tickets for the postponed dates will be honored at the re-scheduled shows.
Smashing Pumpkins Re-Scheduled tour dates
Dec. 9, 10; Anaheim, CA; The Pond
AUGUST 9 1996
Addicted To Noise editor Michael Goldberg reports: The Smashing Pumpkins have a new
drummer. After two and a half days of auditions, which took place in Chicago
on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, the Pumpkins have chosen drummer Matt
Walker to replace Jimmy Chamberlin and hit the road with them for the remainder of their
1996-1997 world tour. Walker, former drummer with Filter, will be the "touring drummer,"
according to a statement released by the band; there is no word yet on whether he will
play on future Pumpkins' recordings. The Pumpkins met Walker during the European leg of
their tour earlier this year, when Filter was the opening act. Rehearsals in Chicago
which could last several weeks are to begin immediately.
As previously reported in
Addicted To Noise, Frogs founding member Dennis Flemion will replace the late Jonathan
Melvoin as touring keyboardist. (Melvoin died in a New York hotel room of a heroin
overdose last month; Chamberlin, who did drugs with Melvoin and was in
the hotel room when the keyboardist died, was fired by the Pumpkins a few days later.)
In order to have time to get comfortable with both Walker and Flemion, the band has
postponed a number of previously announced shows that were to have taken place from Aug.
12 through Aug. 25; their first performance with the new line-up will take place at The
Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on August 27th. A new Pumpkins' single will be
released shortly.
AUGUST 8 1996
After two and a half days of auditions in Chicago, the Smashing Pumpkins have chosen
drummer Matt Walker to replace Jimmy Chamberlin and hit the road with them for the
remainder of their 1996-1997 world tour. Walker, former drummer with Filter, will be the
"touring drummer," according to a statement released by the band; there is no word yet
on
whether he will play on future Pumpkins' recordings. The Pumpkins met Walker during the
European leg of their tour earlier this year, when Filter was the opening act.
Rehearsals in Chicago which could last several weeks are to begin immediately. As
previously reported in Addicted To Noise, Frogs founding member Dennis Flemion will
replace the late Jonathan Melvoin as touring keyboardist. In order to have time
to get comfortable with both Walker and Flemion, the band has postponed a number of
previously announced shows that were to have taken place from Aug. 12 through Aug. 25;
their first performance with the new line-up will take place at The Thomas and Mack
Center in Las Vegas on August 27th. A new Pumpkins' single will be released shortly.
AUGUST 6 1996
Addicted To Noise staff writer Gil Kaufman reports: The Smashing Pumpkins are half-way
towards re-staffing their band. Although the drum seat is still empty (super-secret
auditions are taking place this week in New York), the three remaining members have
settled on long-time friend Dennis Fleming of Milwaukee's Frogs to fill in on keyboards
for the recently deceased Jonathan Melvoin. According to a source at Scratchie Records,
the label founded by Pumpkins D'Arcy and James Iha, it was Fleming who suggested to his
pal Billy Corgan that he fill in on keys, and when asked if there was any chance to quiz
the Frogman about his new high-profile gig, the response was, "I think he's really
freaking out a bit trying to learn all the songs in a hurry. I can't even get him on the
phone."
Our source also told us that he was relieved to hear that Fleming wasn't taking
on the
drum duties (which he occupies in the Frogs), since, "it would be a really weird sound
for them to go with just one drum and a crash cymbal." Once they do find a drummer, in
addition to previously announced dates, he (or she) will be pounding the
skins at the following recently rescheduled shows:
Oct. 2; St. Louis; Kell Center
Nov. 23; Oklahoma City; The Myriad
Nov. 26; Lafayette, Louisiana; Cajun Dome
Nov. 30; Austin, Texas; Erwin Center
July 31 1996
The Smashing Pumpkins have not yet chosen a replacement for departed drummer Jimmy
Chamberlin. Despite reports in numerous media, including on MTV, that Red Hot Chili
Peppers' drummer Chad Smith is going to hit the road with the group, whose next date is
on August 12 in Vancouver, ATN was told yesterday that the Pumpkins have not yet begun
auditions that they are holding to help them choose a new drummer. "Rumors are flying,"
said our source. "But nothing has happened yet." Meanwhile, a Warner Bros. publicist
told ATN that he'd spent an entire day fielding press inquiries as to whether or not the
Peppers had broken up. And as we reported yesterday, they most assuredly haven't. In
other Pumpkins-related news, the Associated Press reports that touring keyboardist
Jonathan Melvoin died of a lethal combination of heroin and alcohol. The medical
examiner's office in New York released toxicology test results yesterday (July 30). And,
the Pumpkins received eight MTV Music Video Award nominations yesterday; the group is
scheduled to perform at the Sept. 4 awards ceremony, which
will take place in New York.
July 27 1996
Smashing Pumpkins' James Iha and D'Arcy were the focus of attention at a Scratchie
Records shindig that took place at a Chicago club last night (Fri., July 27). Iha and
D'Arcy are co-owners of the Chicago-based label that the duo formed a few years ago. One
attendee told us that "James and D'Arcy were standing around looking very fabulous" (and
how could they be anything but?). Iha was looking very uptown in a white suit and
polka-dot shirt, while D'Arcy was, to quote our source once again, wearing a "lovely
floor-length white satin dress and white sweater." At one point D'Arcy joined Scratchie
artists Fulflej on stage and sang with the group. At the end of a song, whose name we
didn't catch, D'Arcy apologized for "screwing it up." D'Arcy and Iha are producing the
group. As for the crowd? Our source described them thusly: "Just a room full of industry
slime slithering their way past the free pizza and soda and telling James how good his
hair streaks looked." Oh yeah, Jenny McCarthy wasn't in attendance.
July 24 1996
The Smashing Pumpkins first performance with a new drummer will take place on August 12
in Vancouver; tickets for that show went on sale this week. Other shows, including an
August 17 date in San Francisco and performances in Southern California on August
21, 23 and 24 have also been confirmed by the group's management. Who the new drummer
will be remains a mystery. The Pumpkins have less than three weeks to settle on a
drummer and whip him (or her) into shape. Following the death of Pumpkins' touring
keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin of a heroin overdose, the group fired longtime drummer
Jimmy Chamberlin, who had a history of serious drug problems. A source close to
the Pumpkins said locating a new drummer is being "handled internally" by the band.
July 23 1996
Addicted To Noise staff writer Gil Kaufman reports: In his first public performance
since
tragedy struck the Smashing Pumpkins, the group's leader, Billy Corgan, joined his pals
in Cheap Trick for a few songs on Sunday night (July 21) at the Park West in Chicago.
Trick, who were playing a benefit for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, were
joined on stage by the bald one for two encores, "If You Want My Love," and "Auf
Wiedersehen." According to a source on the scene, Corgan told the audience: "When Rick
(Nielsen) asked me to play with them (Cheap Trick), I said I don't know how to play
any of their tunes. Rick said, 'That's alright. Neither do we.'" (Members of Urge
Overkill were also in the house, but, apparently, nobody asked them to do anything.)
Billy Corgan is a major fan of Cheap Trick. He had the group open up for the Pumpkins
last year when the Pumpkins headlined at the Riveria Theater in Chicago.
Meanwhile,
Cheap Trick is finally getting the box treatment. A 4-CD box set due out August 13 will
be
titled Sex, America, Cheap Trick. The set will contain 64 tracks of unreleased and live
recordings, demos, outtakes and other marginalia that should slake the appetite of even
the most hard-core Trickster. The set coincides with the 20th anniversary of the band's
signing to Epic Records in August of 1976, and includes some intriguing-sounding cuts,
including a live 1974 cover of the Velvet Underground's "Waitin' For the Man/Heroin," a
cover of Bob Dylan's "Please Mrs. Henry," the Move's "Down on the Bay," and a demo of
"World's Greatest Lover" with a rare Rick Nielsen vocal.
July 21 1996
Addicted To Noise staff writer Gil Kaufman reports: Call it a tale of two indies. One, a
relative babe in the biz, the other, a vet that's been down this road before. Scratchie
Records (the independent label started a few years ago by D'Arcy and James Iha of
Smashing Pumpkins) and Matador, home of Liz Phair, Pavement and Guided By Voices, had
signed marketing and distribution deals with major labels. Scratchie, the Chicago-based
little label started by the quietest Pumpkins, which has so far released albums by
Fulflej, theChainsaw Kittens, Belltower, Ivy, Lenky and a dancehall compilation, agreed
to a deal that will have Mercury Records (now headed
by Danny Goldberg, the record exec who did the Matador-Atlantic deal some years back
when he headed Atlantic Records) handle the distribution and marketing of all the
label's releases, starting with Speedway Oklahoma by the Chainsaw Kittens, which will
hit the street on Sept. 17. Future releases include an album of new material from
Milwaukee's filth queens, The Frogs ( Starjob ), and the full-length debut from
Fulflej, produced by Iha and D'Arcy.
Matador, which previously took a so-so march down the major-label aisle with Atlantic,
sealed a deal with Capitol Records that, according to sources, will have selected
Matador
titles "co-released, marketed, promoted, sold, etc. by Matador and Capitol, and shall
bear the logo of both companies." The agreement once and for all (for now anyway), puts
an end to Matador's status as an independent label, courtesy of the sale of a 49% stake
in the label to their new partners and an infusion of Capitol financing. According to a
statement on the Matador homepage, "controlling interest and day-to-day maintenance of
Matador will remain in the hands of Chris Lombardi and Gerard Cosloy but we're hardly
independent and if we have to start paying higher ad rates, well, so be it." According
to that same statement, no Matador artists will be forced "upstream" without their
consent and Capitol is under no obligation to release any Matador product they aren't
fully behind. The first release in this new joint venture will be Now I Got Worry by the
Jon Spencer
Blues Explosion on Oct. 15.
July 19 1996
No biggie here, but we did want Smashing Pumpkins fans who bought tickets to the group's
aborted July shows to know that they have been postponed, not canceled. The group
intends to reschedule those shows that they had to postpone due to the death of touring
keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin, and their subsequent decision to fire drummer Jimmy
Chamberlin. They have begun looking for a replacement.
July 18 1996
JUST SAY NO, DUDE - by Bob Scheu - imusic
In the wake of last week's death of Smashing Pumpkins sideman Jonathan
Melvoin, the record industry is under fire to declare a war on drugs, or
at least it's
acting like it is.
The death has motivated the non-music press to dig around the music
industry
looking for the causes of the recent higly publicized tragedies, often
without much
insight into the society wide crisis in which drug use is an
all-too-common
response. As a consequence of this week's journalistic crusade (what'll
it be next
week?) the record industry is getting some attention and criticism that
it glamorizes
drug use in its content and looks the other way when profitable, but
addicted, stars
are heading down the path towards self-destruction.
An unnamed drug counselor is quoted in a Thursday wire service article
as saying
"The view has been that it is better to leave well enough alone,"
referring to record
companies. "By interfering with an artist, it would mean that he or she
wouldn't be
able to show up for a concert. Instead, the attitude is 'Sure, we'll get
you some
coke, or a bottle of Jack.' If you start interfering, you're talking
about millions of
dollars in lost revenues." Kind of like messing with the muse, eh
Counselor?
Michael Greene, president of National Academy of Recording Arts and
Sciences
and organizer of an industrywide anti-drug campaign, said the record
industry has
been in a state of denial about its drug problem for seven decades. "A
record
company should be willing to stop a tour to help its investment or that
investment
is going to be flushed down the toilet," Greene said.
Recent drug incidents include the Memorial Day death of Sublime singer
Bradley
Nowell, the arrest of Depeche Mode singer David Gahan, the October
cocaine
overdose death of Blind Melon singer Shannon Hoon and the April 1994
suicide of
Nirvana's leader Kurt Cobain who continually struggled with heroin
addiction.
Wednesday's announcement by the Smashing Pumpkins and comments by other
record industry sources indicate that confronting drug abuse may become
a more
common response to the situation.
Greene last month called a meeting for record executives to set up
industry-wide
hot line and other services. The meeting drew only a mixed reception.
Several label
executives said they simply prefer to keep their artists' problems
confidential and
deal with them on an internal level. "We've already been quite proactive
for years,
but we think confidentiality is one of the keys to making our programs
successful,"
said Geffen Records spokeswoman Bryn Bridenthal.
But Greene expects a more enthusiastic approach in the wake of the
Pumpkins'
troubles. "I don't think there's any question of the possibility that
this tragedy will
galvanize the industry," he said. Let's just be careful not to fuel the
fires of Bill
Bennett, C. Delores Tucker and Bob Dole in their crusdae to eliminate
the parts of
the music business they find unpleasant.
July 18 1996
Addicted To Noise editor Michael Goldberg reports: One day after Smashing Pumpkins'
drummer Jimmy Chamberlin entered a rehab clinic located somewhere in the U. S., and
following some serious soul searching, the other three members of the Smashing Pumpkins
reluctantly announced that they and Chamberlin have parted ways. "Today we are very
sorry to tell our friends and fans that we have decided to sever our relationship with
our friend and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin," the band said in a joint statement
released to the press yesterday afternoon. "This may come as a shock to some, to others
not, but to us it is devastating.
For nine years we have battled with Jimmy's struggles
with the insidious disease of drug and alcohol addiction. It has nearly destroyed
everything we are and stand for. We have decided to carry on without him and we wish him
the best that we have to offer." (For the group's entire statement, see the July 17
edition of "Music News of the World.") Last Friday Pumpkins' touring keyboardist
Jonathan Melvoin died of a heroin overdose after shooting up in a New York hotel room
with Chamberlin; the
drummer was charged last Friday with misdemeanor drug possession; is set to appear in
court in New York for his arraignment on August 13. According to a source close to the
band, in making the hard decision "they feared that if he felt he could come right back
and jump into a band situation...
July 17 1996
Smashing Pumpkins Fire Drummer Jimmy
The Smashing Pumpkins announced today that they have parted ways with drummer Jimmy
Chamberlin. The group will be seeking "an immediate replacement," and are scheduled to
resume their tour in August. We understand that their next scheduled show is in San
Francisco at the Cow Palace on August 17th, however no August tour dates have been
announced yet. All remaining July shows were canceled following the July 12 death of
Pumpkins touring keyboardest Jonathan Melvoin. Chamberlin was charged last Friday with
misdemeanor drug possession. Police said paraphernalia was found in the hotel room where
Chamberlin and Melvoin injected heroin the night of July 11th, shortly before the
midnight hour.
Chamberlin is set to appear in court in New York for his arraignment on
August 13. In a statement released today, the three remaining Pumpkins said: "Today we
are very sorry to tell our friends and fans that we have decided to sever our
relationship with our friend and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. This may come as a shock to
some, to others not, but to us it is devastating. For nine years we have battled with
Jimmy's
struggles with the insidious disease of drug and alcohol addiction. It has nearly
destroyed everything we are and stand for. We have decided to carry on without him and
we wish him the best that we have to offer. The three of us plan to seek an immediate
replacement and to finish the touring that we had started at the beginning of this year.
We would like to thank everyone for their well wishes and support in this very tragic
week." The statement was signed: The Smashing Pumpkins: Billy, D'Arcy and James.
Date:Unknown
NEW YORK- The drummer with the alternative rock band Smashing
Pumpkins was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of heroin possession
Friday after a backup musician with whom he was using heroin died of an
apparent overdose.
A visible wobbly Jimmy Chamberlin, 32, was taken into police
custody Friday morning and later released after being given a summons.
He was ordered to appear in court on August 13.
Earlier, the other band members - frontman Billy Corgan,
guitarist James Iha and bassist D'Arcy - also were questioned, but not
charged. Like Chamberlin, they left a Manhattan police station without
speaking to reporters.
The overdose victim, 34-year-old Jonathan Melvoin, was a veteran
keyboard player hired as a backup musician for the national tour of the
Smashing Pumpkins, one of the top acts on the alternative rock scene.
The group was in town for two sold out concerts at Madison
Square Gardens on Friday and a show at New Jersey's Meadowlands today,
all of which were postponed.
Police said Chamberlin and Melvoin passed out after they began
shooting heroin together about 11 pm at the Regency Hotel.
About 3:30 a.m., Chamberlin woke and could not rouse Melvoin. he
apparently thought Melvoin was unconscious, although police believe that
by then he had been dead for some time.
Chamberlin called the band's security manager, who came to the
room and tried to revive Melvoin by putting him in a shower, police
said. The pair finally called 911, police said. They followed the
operators instructions resuscitating the musician until paramedics
arrived and pronounced Melvoin dead.
Police said they found drug paraphernalia and a small amount of
what appeared to be heroin inside the hotel room. If convicted of heroin
possession, Chamberlin could face up to a year in jail.
The Smashing Pumpkins are known for the albums, "Gish," "Siamese
Dream" and recent no.1 double album, "Mellon Collie and the Infinite
Sadness."
Rolling Stone magazine and several other publications have
reported that the Chicago-based band considered dropping Chamberlin
several years ago because of his recurring drug abuse, but kept him on
after he went clean.
After Nirvana's Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994, the
Pumpkins became one of the nation's top alternative bands.
Despite Chamberlin's past problems, "drugs have never been a
part of the band's personality or reputation," said Craig Marks, who
wrote a Spin Magazine cover story about the Pumpkins. "Their internal
conflicts have had more to do with ego, not drugs."
The music industry has been discussing whether to respond to a
wave of drug-related casualties, including the death of Shannon Hoon of
Blind Melon last October.
Music executives have pushed for wider use of the industry's
MusiCares program, a 7-year-old network to seek physical and mental
health acre and help for substance abuse.
July 13 1996
Addicted To Noise editor Michael Goldberg reports: Heroin took the life of another
musician yesterday. Jonathan Melvoin, who had toured as a keyboardist with the Smashing
Pumpkins for the past six months, overdosed. Near the midnight hour, on Thurs., July 11,
sitting with his touring buddy, Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, Melvoin injected his
last dose of heroin, and drifted off into oblivion. Chamberlin was arrested yesterday
and charged with misdemeanor drug possession. He is set to appear
in court for his arraignment on August 13; police said no other arrests are expected.
Chamberlin looked shaken and unsteady when he departed the 19th Precinct station house
in New York yesterday afternoon. He wore shades, a striped sports shirt and black pants;
the L. A. Times described him as "unsteady on his feet."
The Pumpkins, who had shows
scheduled at Madison Square Garden last night, as well as tonight, along with a show
at Meadowlands in New Jersey tonight, have postponed the rest of their July tour dates.
Melvoin was 34 years old. He was son of Michael Melvoin, a jazz musician and arranger
who was a former head of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. One of his
sisters, Wendy, was in Prince's band, The Revolution, during the '80s; Jonathan Melvoin,
along with his other sister, Susanah, were both fomer members of The Family,
a band put together and produced by Prince. In a statement the Pumpkins said: "It is
with great sadness that this morning, Jonathan Melvoin, who has been touring with our
band as a keyboardist and percussionist for the past six months, passed away from an
apparent drug overdose. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go to his wife and
family." A source close to the band told ATN: "This is a young man who got his first
real break and he's dead before he should be. Everyone feels terrible about it. It's a
very sad thing. There was a great feeling for Jonathan among band members... It's very
sad to lose somebody."
July 4 1996
Addicted to Noise staff writer Gil Kaufman reports: This fall the Smashing Pumpkins will
be back in Chicago for an "MTV Unplugged" concert featuring the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra. No word yet on whether the performance will eventually be released on CD.
Meanwhile, the Pumpkins, who are currently touring America, are set to release a box set
by year's end. According to sources, the set, which is scheduled to contain all five
Mellon Collie singles and their respective international b-sides, will also feature a
few covers, including the Cars' "You're All I've Got Tonight," Blondie's "Dreamin'" and
Missing Person's "Destination Unknown," which the band recently recorded while on a
break from touring. Last Sunday (June 30), towards the end of their show at Detroit's
State
Theater, the group played an instrumental cover song medley that included bits of songs
by Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Black Sabbath and Pearl Jam. And, we're told a highlight of
that
evening was a 20 minute jam on "Silver Fuck."
"Best selling double CD of all time" - iMusic
Pumpkins Smash It Up During Debut Of New Line-Up - ATN
"The days of musical division are over." - D'Arcy
Enteraintment Weekly
EX-PUMPKINS' DRUMMER ENTERS PLEA iMusic
Chamberlin Pleads Not Guilty
Ex-Pumpkins Drummer Jimmy Chamberlin's Day In Court - ATN
Chamberlin Arraignment Tomorrow - ATN
Smashing Pumpkins Reschedule Dates - ATN
Dec. 11; San Diego, CA; Sports Arena
Dec. 14; San Francisco, CA; Cow Palace
Dec. 16; San Jose, CA; Shark Tank
Dec. 17; Sacramento, CA; Arco Arena
Dec. 18; Los Angeles, CA; The Forum
Jan. 6; Seattle, WA; Key Arena
Jan. 7; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA
Jan. 8; Vancouver, Canada; GM Place
[For the rest of the currently scheduled Pumpkins dates, please see the August 9
edition of "Music News of the World.]
Pumpkins Settle On New Drummer!! - ATN
Pumpkins Announce New Drummer
A Frog For The Smashing Pumpkins - ATN
No Drummer Quite Yet For Pumpkins - ATN
Two Pumpkins At Scratchie Party
Smashing Pumpkins Shows Confirmed
Billy Corgan Jams With Cheap Trick
New Deals For Pumpkins' Scratchie & Cosloy's Matador Labels
Pumpkins' July Shows Postponed, Not Canceled
Witch Hunt or Survival Necessity?
Smashing Pumpkins Begin Search For New Drummer
SMASHING PUMPKINS IN DRUG-DEATH PROBE
Pumpkins Devastated By Keyboardist's Death
Pumpkins Set For "MTV Unplugged" Performance