Smashing Pumpkins Entertainment Centre
Austrailian Press
BY Adrian Morrow
(Thanks to BCorgan4SP@aol.com for typing this out for us)
Taking the stage at 9:15 P.M. and opening with *Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness* and *Tonight, Tonight*, the Smashing Pumpkins took a journey through a massive set of songs from their more recent album. Songs such as Jellybelly, Zero, Here is no Why. and Bullet with Butterfly wings absolutely rocked. Billy Corgan and James Iha's guitars were creaming and brutal at times while Corgan leaped around wringing everything from his notes. His trademark sound of distortion was there as he soloed over the top of twisting, acidic songs. Big, bald, and bold he looked positively evil as he screeched lyrics such as "intoxicated, with the madness, I'm in love with my sadness," and "God is empty."
Most of their hits were represented, yet when they left the well worn path that they really shone. Cherub Rock, Today, and Disarm were all there from the "Siamese Dream" album, yet they sounded a bit tired as the Pumpkins rolled through them. As they progressed through the show, they became more adventurous, leaving behind the recorded formats of the songs and experiment, jamming the songs live. This was when they dropped the rock guard and played the quieter songs that make the band so special. In ont of their three encores, they played a distortion-free version of Mayonaise that really showed the song and the band's full potential. Drown from the "Singles" soundtrack was also given a reworking, while it may not have worked 100%, the effort needed be applauded. Not many bands of this magnitude will experiment when playing shows such as this and they suffer for it.
Although Corgan looked displeased with the crowd at times, he dispelled this by quizzing James Iha on the subtleties of cricket and when he found him wanting, went on to show his own knowledge. He told the crowd how much he appreciated Australia for making the Pumpkins successful here and while that is almost standard fare for touring acts, he hacked it up with a little evidence of record sales that made you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
By the time the third encore was nearing an end, the crowd was beginning to grow restless. The contradictions, subtleties, beauty, and raw power of their show required so much attention, many were mentally drained, not to mention physically. When Corgan. Iha, and D'Arcy put down their instruments and Jimmy Chamberlin left his booming drum kit, many thought the gig was over. What followed was a beautiful acoustic version of Farewell and Goodnight with all the band members sharing the vocal duties. D'Arcy's harmonies were a highlight in the last song of a Tour De Force for the Smashing Pumpkins.