January - June 1997
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June 18th, 1997
From Q101 Music News, June 17, 1997-
Eddie Vedder was in town over the weekend (6/13-6/15), hanging out with Dennis Rodman and Billy Corgan at Drink after the Bulls title victory. John Popper was also spotted there. Then on Saturday night, Vedder got on stage with Pete Townshend at the House of Blues, while Corgan and Bill Wennington (Bulls) looked on.
June 16th, 1997
Pumpkin out of the Hole
MTV
June 16 [17:00 EDT] -- The eagerly anticipated next release from Courtney Love and Hole may not have the magic Billy Corgan touch that many had been waiting for. Love, who was on hand for last week's "Batman & Robin" premiere, told MTV News that she's hard at work on pre-production of the third Hole album, but Smashing Pumpkins frontman Corgan will not be producing it. The album was originally supposed to be a self-produced release with Smashing Pumpkin Billy Corgan acting as executive producer. "We sort of burned each other out," Love told MTV News. "I have this guy, Michael Beinhorn, who's actually producing." [300k QuickTime] Beinhorn, Hole's new producer, is best known for his previous work with Soundgarden, Ozzy Osbourne, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. According to Love's manager, Corgan will still be involved in the new album, but to what extent isn't clear, and contrary to previous reports, there will be no outside musicians on the record. Love mentioned a September date for a Hole release when talking with MTV News, but she may have been referring to the European release of a Hole anthology; her manager says there's "no way" the new Hole album will be out by then.
June 15th, 1997
New Albums Song Tracklist
This is not 100% accurate - it's just what I have heard. Don't blame me if this is not true
CD 1--Angel Ectasy(techno)
1.Violent Oppression
2.Trained to lose
3.Ugly(different)
4.Love(remake)
5.Connecting the eyes
6.Automne Nocturne
7.Trinities Unvieled
8.Pale Princess
9.atomic riot
10.we all fall down
11.sling
12.A slain Ruby
13.Traits of wrath
CD 2--Ferris wheel(acoustic)
1.Need
2.Desire the pain
3.A world turned down
4.Faith
5.The aeroplane lands
6.Palace cracked
7.East
8.Envying the fire
9.Pull
10.Mermaid untouched
June 14th, 1997
Batman & Robin Premier Party
Last night on MTV they showed some of the Batman & Robin premier. Many celebs were there, of course. Billy showed up with Yelena. Neither of them talked to the press. But, D'Arcy was there with her husband Kerry Brown. Those two & Courtney Love was tagging along with them. This is what they had to say: MTV: Much colder event then we would of expected throughout the night. You would of expected kind of a hot temperature. Courtney: Wasn't there air conditionsing in the theatre when Arnold came on? D'Arcy: Eerytime Mr. Freeze came on they would blast the air conditioning, so you would feel like you were in it. MTV: Where you moved at all by the Alfred story? Courtney: I like the Alfred story. MTV: Nice little group hug at the end. D'Arcy: It was kind of like a Pearl Jam concert righ before the go on. Courtney: Stop - your so nasty.
June 13th, 1997
Jimmy Update
Reported by Eric Agnew
Just talked to Laura Ann last night, who ran into him the other night at a bar, while waiting for her bassist... Apparently he's doing quite well. :) His business is going well, and since he's been travelling back & forth to France so often, he either has or is getting a dual citizenship... He's going to start giving Laura drumming lessons soon, twice weekly... Apparently, last summer after the whole incident, he didn't even -want- to continue touring, but was rather annoyed at the whole media buzz the rest of the band did, how they slammed him, etc. Devastated, he'd planned on going into rehab anyway, but then the whole press release thing just made things worse... I guess Larry King tried to get him on about 5 times, but he refused, since he knew they'd make him say things he didn't want to, didn't want to stoop down to the same level of on-air bashing, etc... But things are going well, now. :) He may possibly start a new band, perhaps more jazz-oriented, which would be cool, but who knows... On other notes, Laura said she was looking forward to James' solo album, which she thought was due sometime this year, so that's looking quite possible... :)
June 11th, 1997
Billy & The Worm
ESPN
Reported by Catfish
Dennis Rodman left the Delta Center in Utah last Sunday, after he was granted permission from coach Phil Jackson, and headed straight for the airport where he rented a private plane to take him and Smashing Pumpkins buddy Billy Corgan to Las Vegas.
June 10th, 1997
Smashing Pumpkin Pup's Incredible Journey
Read more about it here
When Animal Aid, an Indiana group that rescues abandoned animals, held its annual benefit auction last month to raise money, there were the usual charitable donations: Beanie Babies, computer printers, gift certificates, a dishwasher. But one item in particular stood out--a signed award from Virgin Records given to Smashing Pumpkins bassist D'Arcy Wretzky by the label when the band's 1995 album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, went gold. Seems D'Arcy was more than happy to help them out. You see, several months ago, a woman driving through an Indiana snowstorm passed a Great Dane that was close to death. She called her friend Sandie Beaver, a member of Animal Aid, who went out and rescued the dog. A check of the tag revealed the owner, who was--you guessed it--D'Arcy Wretzky. It seems the Pumpkin had just bought a farm close to Kalamazoo, Michigan, and the dog had wandered off shortly after they moved in. When Wretzky, who has since become chummy with Beaver, found out her dog was alive, she screamed, "It's her, it's her, it's her!" And not only did the Smashing Pumpkin donate her award to the organization, but Chris Smither, Animal Aid President, told the South Bend Tribune that D'Arcy also made "a very generous monetary donation."
June 4th, 1997
Wall of Sound
PBS has jumped into the live-concert fray with On Tour, a new show featuring a slew of live acts. Sting, Steve Earle, Nil Lara, and Amanda Marshall all kick off the premiere one-hour episode, with No Doubt, Metallica, Beck, Blues Traveler, Smashing Pumpkins, and the Cranberries to follow soon. Armed with twelve cameras and a forty-eight-track audio system, the On Tour crew traveled across the globe from April to August in 1996 to record concert footage as well as interviews and glimpses of backstage life. "We want viewers to have the feel of being at a live concert," says On Tour producer John Diaz. "We really feel the vitality of this vastly eclectic range of talent is going to come right through the television screen as no previous filmed concerts have ever done before." The footage comes from all over: the first episode features a Sting show from Vancouver, B.C.; Steve Earle in London, Ontario; Nil Lara's 1996 HORDE performance in Buffalo, N.Y.; and Amanda Marshall playing at the First Avenue in Minneapolis, M.N.. Thirteen episodes are in the can right now, so check your local PBS listings for days and times and set your V.C.R.s! Scheduled On Tour Guests: Episode 2: No Doubt, A Tribe Called Quest, Spearhead, Phunk Junkies Episode 3: Metallica, Devo, Satchel, Melvins Episode 4: Beck, The Refreshments, Lustre, Cibo Matto Episode 5: Blues Traveler, Me'Shell NdegéOcello, Rickie Lee Jones, Rusted Root, Nil Lara, Medeski Martin & Wood, Super 8, Leftover Salmon, Son Volt Episode 6: The Cure, Morphine, Dogs Eye View, Scheer Episode 7: The Fugees, G. Love & Special Sauce, Four Tops, Low & Sweet Orchestra Episode 8: Ratdog with Bob Weir, Mickey Hart's Mystery Box, Hot Tuna, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Flying Karamazov Brothers, Samba Nova Episode 9: Smashing Pumpkins, The Verve Pipe, Satchel, Lustre Episode 10: Common Sense, Big Mountain, Dennis Brown, Capleton, Judy Mowatt, Sugor Minott, Skill Band, Tommy Cowan Episode 11: The Cranberries, Tears for Fears, Marry Me Jane, Jann Arden Episode 12: Bruce Hornsby, Meat Loaf, Los Lobos, Maria McKee Episode 13: The Cure, Goo Goo Dolls, Meat Loaf, Seven Mary Three, Smashing Pumpkins, Sting
May 23, 1997
Smashing Pumpkins In The Festival Patch
MTV
May 21 [7:55 EST] -- The Smashing Pumpkins are confirmed for the Roskilde Festival in Denmark and the gigantic Glastonbury Festival north of London, England next month and more overseas festival dates are to be announced.
The band plays the Glastonbury opening night, June 27, then flies to Roskilde for a performance June 28.
The three-day Glastonbury Festival is so large the promoters don't even announce the performers prior to the event to avoid even more of a crush--the event's 90,000 tickets have been sold-out for weeks. The line-up is said to include Beck, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Prodigy, Chemical Bros., Phish, Daft Punk, Pavement, Neil Young and dozens of others.
Matt Walker will again be playing for the Pumpkins. The band borrowed Walker from Filter last year following the firing of Jimmy Chamberlin.
Meanwhile, head Pumpkin Billy Corgan re-claims the unofficial 'busiest man in the biz' award (from a vanished Trent Reznor) with recent projects including production duties for Ric Ocasek and Hole, songs on the pending Batman soundtrack and a video shoot for the latter, and a guest appearance on Shudder To Think's score for the film "First Love, Last Rights."
May 22, 1997
Rodman May Celebrate Birthday With Corgan, Vedder, Popper
May 16 [14:00 EST] -- The online music magazine "Allstar" reports that basketball star/television show host Dennis Rodman may be celebrating his birthday with Smashing Pumpkin Billy Corgan, Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, and Blues Travelers' John Popper.
Popper and Vedder joined Rodman at his birthday bash last year to belt out "Happy Birthday," and reportedly may do the same this year when the Chicago Bull throws another birthday concert on Friday.
"Allstar" (at allstarmag.com) reports that the only act confirmed for the celebration (set for this Friday at Chicago's Drink) is Poi Dog Pondering, but the report notes that Corgan may be joining the band when it takes the stage Friday night. The Pumpkin leader was reportedly spotted chumming it up with Rodman at a party in Chicago Tuesday night.
For the record, Rodman will be 36-years-old.
May 20, 1997
Premier!!!
I just wanted to let everyone know that *5* people emailed me within the past hour and made me aware that *they* saw that the VIDEO PREMIER of The End is the Begining is the End from the Batman and Robin soundtrack will be on MTV tonight during the 10 spot. Oh shux...maybe it will take the place of the Jenny McCarthy show. What shame :)
May 15, 1997
Addicted to Noise
Pumpkin Tracks Set For Ocasek Solo Album A fall tour is expected. Ocasek's band will likely include some of the musicians who played on the new album. Addicted To Noise editor Michael Goldberg reports: Five Billy Corgan produced songs will appear on former-Cars leader Rick Ocasek's upcoming solo album, Troublizing. Corgan entered a New York studio this past February with Ocasek and a alterna-hit squad of non-session musicians: Bad Religion guitarist Brian Baker, Nada Surf drummer Ira Elliot, Hole bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur, Filter/Pumpkins drummer Matt Walker and former Cars keyboardist Greg Hawkes. In addition to producing, Corgan plays some guitar on the album. The tracks from the Corgan sessions that will appear on Troublizing: "Crashland Consequence," "Situation," "Fix On You," "Asia Minor" and "People We Know." Although best known for his role as leader of the cars ("Shake It Up," "Drive," "My Best Friend's Girl"), in recent years Ocasek has focused on producing, scoring hits with albums by Weezer' and Nada Surf.
May 11, 1997
The David Bowie birthday bash
The David Bowie birthday bash from Jan. 9, which featured Billy C. guesting on
two songs, will be broadcast on Chicago's WXRT (93.1 FM) on May 28 from
9:30-11:00.
May 10, 1997
Week In Rock
Quick! Quick! Get to those tv now and grab those VCR remotes. Billy is on MTV Week In Rock AGAIN this week. This time is for the Hole album he is producing (as executive producer). If some kind person could do a transcript for me, then it will greatly be appreciated.
May 9, 1997
Mulder, Scully, and Billy
On a local radio station in NYC, they mentioned that Billy might do a guest spot on the X-Files in the near future. This is not confirmed, it's just from what we have heard. Cool though, huh?
May 8, 1997
Mighty Ducks and the Lakers!
Billy has been seen in many places lately. The U2 concert, the Bulls games, and now we heard about a few more. On April 27, at the Lakers game, Billy was there sitting next to Flea, from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. No sign of you Yelena, though. Billy was last seen at the mighty ducks game in Anaheim, California. He was with, yes - you guessed it, Yelena (his latest squeese!).
May 7, 1997
Vogue
D'arcy is in a picture in the May issue of Vogue in her brown Dolce and Gabbana dress that she wore to the grammy's in february. Thst dress has received more attention than anything else. (well except maybe the dancers).
May 6, 1997
Look! Look! Another Compilation
A new compilation that will be out in September called "Generations Two: One Funky Day", will match up rock acts with rap acts, including 311 and Pharcyde, rage Against the Machine with B-Real, and the Smashing Pumpkins with Gravediggaz.
April 27th 1997
MTV
MTV News is going to do a piece on the Pumpkins on the Week In Rock. It is about Batman and Robin soundtrack and the Pumpkins in the studio. It will be on this Friday, May 2.
April 26th 1997
Newsweek for the week of April 21, 1997
Billy Corgan, 30
The Smashing Pumpkins' leader holds dear the one trait Gen-Xers supposedly lack:
ambition. Platinum albums and world tours are already behind him; his poise
suggests there's a lot more ahead.
April 25th 1997
Jimmy Update!
My friend Mike was talking with someone who knows Jimmy's wife (collaborating
with her on a book), and she said he's doing' ok (doesn't talk much about the band
or his drug abuse, which is no surprise). He's now living in California, and is
enjoying his new band (Last Hard Men).
April 24th 1997
People Magazine - Billy now & then
In the latest issue of People magazine, there is a picture of Billy from when he was
younger & a picture of him now. I haven't seen it yet. But, I'm going to go check it
out.
April 17th 1997
Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan & Marilyn Manson told Howard Stern backstage at his "Private Parts" movie premiere that they're forming a side project together with Marilyn's bandmate Twiggy Ramirez. Called Fairy, the band may also include Chris Vrenna, who recently left Nine Inch Nails and for some reason ended up playing drums during the Pumpkins' Grammy Awards appearance.
April 14th 1997
Sorry guys...No MTV Unplugged
MTV News said that the pumpkins have rejected the invitation to do an MTV
Unplugged this year. Well, maybe they'll do on next year. *shrug* Who knows.
April 14th 1997
Billy and Yelena in Rolling Stone
In the newest issue of Rolling Stone (The one with No *ugh* Doubt on the cover),
there is a picture in there of Billy & his girlfriend Yelena Yumchuck (yes, the
photographer). The picture is from the Knicks v. Bulls they were at.
April 13th 1997
NEW PUMPKINS SONG - FINALLY OUT!!!
The new song from the Batman & Robin movie is finally out! The song is called "THE END IS THE BEGINNING IS THE END". Call your local radio stations and tell them you want to hear the song!!!
April 10th 1997
Gwen! Gwen! Gwen! This is mainly for the people who visit the News Stand often
and went to the news section and saw the tiny article I had about Billy and Gwen.
Well, the information I had up there is FALSE! What it was is that I got
information from someone who heard on a radio station in Chicago that Billy's ex
wife, Chris Fabian, did an interview and said the divorce was somewhat due to the
affairs he had from people from Courtnay Love to Gwen Stefani of No Doubt.
Those are untrue everyone. I'm sorry to post that when it was false, but I heard it
from the radio. My apologies.
April 9th 1997
"Unplugged" tour **Rumor** The pumpkins are rumored to be a part of the
"Unplugged" tour this summer, along with garbage, weezer, and the foo fighters
and others. Remember this is no official. It would be really great to see. Even
though the only other band I like out of those for besides SP is Garbage, but hey
different bands are always good to check out every once in a while.
April 8th 1997
Dennis Rodman's movie premiere The Pumpkins were at Dennis Rodman's movie
premiere last week. From what people saw they could only see D'Arcy and Billy.
No sight of James anywhere. D'Arcy was seen in a red dress, some said she was
hard to recognize. Gosh, I always miss these things on tv!
April 7th 1997
New album out in November On a Quebec TV channel, they have said that the
Pumpkins new album should be out on November first. Everyone start crossing
your fingers. Only less then 6 months for more material if this is true!
April 6th 1997
Billy, Courtney, and Marilyn all together as one! >From what my ears have heard
the three of them are set to collaborate on something. I'm not sure if this is just a
rumor. I got this information from the radio KROQ. So if it's untrue be mad at
them! :) I think this would be really neat to see though. All three of them are so
different. They all have different styles in music, appearance, and from what I see
personality. I think it would be really cool though. If I hear anything else, it'll be up
here.
April 5th 1997
Pumpkins Breaking up?!? Say It ain't so! Say It ain't so! Well, by now many of us
have seen the rumors going around that Billy has made the statement that the
Pumpkins will no longer be in the Pumpkin Patch together. Don't worry, kick
those tissue boxes aside. It's was all a April Fools joke. A cruel one, yes, yes I
know. Don't worry though guys. Smashing Pumpkins have many big plans for the
future from what I've heard. Don't worry though. Even if the end does come
sooner then the we expect we will always have the wonderful music from the last
10 years.
March 26th 1997
Happy Birthday James!!!
Addicted to Noise
Today is the birthday of Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, who was born in 1968 in Elk Grove, Illinois. Smashing Pumpkins moved ahead of the early-1990s grunge movement with its high production quality and frontman Billy Corgan's penchant for elaborate, sweeping musical arrangements. The Pumpkins were founded by Corgan, who spent his early years in goth bands before meeting up with bassist D'Arcy. The duo worked together with a drum machine, creating early singles of "I Am One" and "Tristessa" for Sub Pop. They brought in Butch Vig to produce their debut album, Gish, which included Iha on guitars and Jimmy Chamberlin on drums.
The Pumpkins' followup album, 1993's Siamese Dream was a more orchestrated effort, including strings and Mellotron; singles like "Disarm" and "Cherub Rock" charted well. Pisces Iscariot, a collection of covers and early recordings, followed in 1994. The group wowed everyone in 1996 with the release of their third full-length record, the double-disc Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
Later that year, the Pumpkins suffered a double loss when their touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin died of a heroin overdose after partaking with Chamberlin, who was subsequently booted from the band. At the end of the year the Pumpkins released a five CD-single box set entitled The Aeroplane Flies High. In addition to frequent touring, Corgan worked on the score for Mel Gibson's Ransom and is slated to executive produce the next Hole album.
March 23th 1997
Thanks to Josh Sherman for the info
03-12-97: The Belgacom Festival is held in two different cities, with each city getting 2 days of concerts. Torhout is July 4-5 and Werchter is July 5-6. The Pumpkins are confirmed as headliners with Prodigy and will play on the main stage in both cities. Tickets are 1750 Belgian Francs per city. This is roughly $50 US. All tickets are for general admission and have gone on sale. Call 0900-10 333 or 070-345 678 for tickets and information. Tickets are also available at most HMV megastores in Europe. Other bands that are part of the festival include, but are not limited to: David Bowie, Live, Rollins Band, Fun Luvin' Criminals, Sheryl Crow and Channel Zero.
March 22th 1997
D'arcy in RS
Featured in the latest edition of Rolling Stone are a number of rockers, including D'Arcy of the Smashing Pumpkins, choosing their favorite films of all time. As her favorite, D'Arcy has chosen 'The Philadelphia Story', made in the 40's. "I love old movies. And Katherine Hepburn, who starred in this one with Cary Grant, is my idol."
March 22th 1997
SP Concert
Thanks to Roger Todd
There's going to be a sp concert played on cbc radio (FM) Canada on Saturday, March 22 at I think 9pm. It's from the Jan. 8 show & they're playing the whole thing, about 2hours, 20 min. commercial free! It should be awesome!!!!!!!!!
March 18th 1997
Gossip Music Helena does Billy Corgan...
Supermodel Helena Christensen is to blame for the fact that Smashing-Pumpkins-singer Billly Corgan now wants a divorce. The model and the bald american musican partiede, last weekend, in Dublin, and the danish beauty did not look to be influened by the fact that Corgan's wife Christine Fabian has asked for a divorce - and blames Christensen for the marital failure. The request for divorce from Christine Fabian comes when she found that her husband had spent x-mas and new years eve in Denmark together with the supermodel. The mega-party was in Dublin and was held for Christensens model-friend Christy Turlington's birthday. Singer Bono from U2 hosted the party which was held on his Clarence hotel.
March 17th 1997
Happy Birthday to the King Pumpkin Billy Corgan. It's the big 3-0!!
febuary 26th 1997
The Most Vital Artist in Music Today taken form Spin April 1997
"Believe in me," Billy Corgan Sings on "Tonight, Tonight," and why not: No rock band wants to be the biggest in the world more than the Smashing Pumpkins- or has more claim to that title. It's easy to feel piqued at Corgan's ambition, which is as bald as his skull, large as his two- (did someone say five?) -CD set, and all-consuming as the mass adoration he craves. But after Nevermind opened the airwaves, only the Pumpkins and Nine Inch Nails found the will to craft a sound so cataclysmic in it's largeness, yet never settling for dated bombast.
febuary 19th 1997
ATN is having a survey for the Batman Sound Track!
Today we ask for your opinion on who should--or shouldn't--record the title track for the next Batman movie. Here's the Link to ATN Survey.
febuary 18th 1997
SP ON ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT
The Pumpkins might be on ET! Tonight (February 18) This is not a for sure thing. I just heard it, I will tape it, transcribe it and put it up on the site for all to read.
febuary 17th 1997
1997 GRAMMY Nominees CD Compilation disc available in stores
On Tuesday, February 11, NARAS released its third annual GRAMMY® Nominees compilation CD. Distributed through Polygram Group Distribution (PDG), the CD includes a collection of top GRAMMY nominated artists with tracks from Smashing Pumpkins, Toni Braxton, Eric Clapton, Celine Dion, Alanis Morissette, No Doubt and others.
febuary 16th 1997
Billy is keeping busy!!!
Sorry, I must keep this anonymous. Billy is set to write songs for/with Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac. Also, he IS going to be producing Courtney Love's new album.
febuary 15th 1997
So, we've all heard
Allstar
So, we've all heard that Billy Corgan has talked with the members of Hole about executive producing Hole's new album, right? Right. Well, the word we got is that Hole is tossing around lots of ideas regarding the production of the album, but one concern that's popped up regarding Billy getting involved, is, well, how shall we put it? The "strong personality" factor. Our source says, "They know he's a capable person, but, he does have a strong personality, so..."
febuary 14th 1997
Update of The Conan O'brien Show
Thanks to Rob C. Glomb for the News!
Pumpkins are definitely scheduled to perform on 2/25...that's Tuesday night before the grammy's on 2/26. Local nyc listeners scan their dials for interviews, sightings, etc.
febuary 13th 1997
Pumpkins on The Conan O'brien Show
The Smashing Pumpkins are going to be on Conan O'briens Show on February 25. Right after Jay Leno...12:30 a.m. this Info was heard on a radio station in Jersey by Rob Glomb must be pretty accurate he says. (also, they're having a contest and if you win you get to go to Conan to see the Pumpkins).
february 12th 1997
Billy spotted with Dennis Rodmen! It's TRUE!
Billy Corgan was hanging out with Dennis Rodman and the rest of the Bulls last night at Dennis' return game. Billy has been seen with many other celebrities lately. Whether it's the oh-so-scarrey Marilyn Manson or going to the Metallica concert with violinist Rachel Barton.
february 12th 1997
Chris Fabian speaks!
On The EDGE - 93.7 Chicago radio, they have reported that Chris Fabian reported that when she filed from divorce she let out that he has had romantic envolvments from Courtany Love to Gwen Stephanie.
february 11th 1997
Billy Corgan to appear on Regis & Kathy Lee
Billy will be appearing on Regis and Kathy Lee on Wednesday, February 19, 1997. Sorry to all of you who watched the show today (February 11). Billy will be on for sure next Friday. So check it out! The trasnscript will be up ASAP.
febuary 6th 1997
Pumpkins Set To Play Grammys - ATN
The Smashing Pumpkins, who seem to be in some kind of rock star road race with Metallica for who can play the most awards shows, are scheduled to do it again at the Grammys on February 26th.
The group, who just received word that their multiply-nominated double-album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was certified eight-times platinum and that their follow-up box set, The Aeroplane Flies High was certified platinum (on sales of 250,000), finally wrapped up their 165 show, 13 month, 5 continent tour yesterday (Feb. 5) in New Orleans. So, it seems safe to assume, the Grammy gig will be their last live one for a while.
January 30th 1997
Smashing Pumpkins Do Batman And Robin - Allstar Magazine
The Smashing Pumpkins are playing dress- up. The band members, who are writing the theme song to the forthcoming Batman And Robin movie, are planning to be donned in the outfits from the movie for the song's video, with each member as a different character. Billy Corgan, furthermore, really, really wants Batman director Joel Schumacher to direct the video, according to a source. The movie is set to star George Clooney as Batman, Chris O'Donnell in his return role as Robin, Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze, Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy, and Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl.
A source close to the band says Corgan wants the song's video to be unlike most typical music videos, and more like a "mini movie." Corgan's other idea is for the theme song to be intricately woven throughout the score of the movie, so that it pops up again and again. The Pumpkins, by the way, are scheduled to perform at this year's Grammy Awards in New York next month.
The Warner Bros. movie, the fourth in the Batman series, will hit the silver screen on June 20. It was undetermined at press time what record label is releasing the album, but we hear that U2, Coolio and Bush may be on it. Coolio has a cameo in the film. Warner Bros. Records people say there's been talk of it, but nothing's been linked.
January 29th 1997
Billy Corgan To Produce Former Cars - Addicted To Noise
Billy Corgan To Produce Former Cars' Leader Ric Ocasek
Heading into the studio with Corgan and the gang. - Addicted To Noise
Smashing Pumpkin Billy Corgan is expected to produce "three or four tracks, maybe more" for former Cars frontman Rick Ocasek's next solo album, according to a source who works with Ocasek.
Corgan and Ocasek will be joined by a slew of big-name colleagues in the studio next week who will help Ocasek bang out his next solo album, his first since 1993's ill-received Quick Change World. In recent years Ocasek has been a much in-demand producer responsible of Weezer's hit debut album, as well as for recent efforts by Nada Surf and Bad Religion.
Ocasek is slated to enter a New York studio next week with Bad Religion guitarist Brian Baker (with whom he has already laid down some guitar tracks), Nada Surf drummer Ira Elliot, Hole bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur and former Cars keyboardist Greg Hawkes to work on the new tunes, at least three of which will be produced by Corgan. The rest of the album will be produced by Fort Apache, the duo of Paul Kolderie and Sean Slade, who produced Hole's Live Through This. Columbia Records has penciled the release in for a May street date.
January 28th 1997
Favorite Alternative Artist
Last night on the American Music Awards the Pumpkins won "Favorite Alternative Artist". The Pumpkins did not attend the awards show, but they will be attending the Grammy's in February!!!
January 25th 1997
Billy Corgan Jams For Tibet - Addicted To Noise
Hollywood correspondent P.R. Flack reports: Again proving that Tibetan freedom from 50 years of Chinese oppression is a cause the artistic community cares about deeply, the line-up for the fifth annual Tibet House Benefit at Carnegie Hall in New York on Feb. 17, is stacked with big names.
Heading the list this year are Smashing Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan, Michael Stipe, Natalie Merchant, Patti Smith, John Cale, Ben Harper, Philip Glass and Allen Ginsberg. Those artists will also be joined by a number of traditional Tibetan artists, including Yung Chen, Lhamo, Nawang Khechog and Yoshitaka Shinada and the Drepung Loseling Monks.
The event, whose honorary Chairperson is Stipe, has a history of both raising consciousness and preserving Tibetan culture by mixing pop/rock artists with traditional musicians and cultural displays. Ticket prices range from $25-75 and this year's proceeds will go towards the purchase and renovation of a new home for the Tibet House's Cultural Center.
The event, which organizers say traditionally has a very low-key, spiritual vibe despite its all-star line-up, coincides with Tibet House NY's 10th anniversary and falls on the day of the Tibetan New Year, which this year celebrates the Year of the Fire-Ox.
January 25 1997
Corgan Denies Affair; Confirms Divorce - Allstar Magazine
Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins denies rumors that he and supermodel Helena Christensen are an item. "That is so funny," Corgan tells the New York Post. "I'm friends with Helena Christensen, and so is my girlfriend, (photographer) Yelena Yemchuk, and we flew to Denmark to be with Helena and her boyfriend (photographer Peter Makbish) over New Year's." It is true, however, that Corgan's four-year-old marriage to publicity-shy Chris Corgan of Chicago is kaput. "Whatever's gone on between us is between us, but yes, we are getting divorced," says Corgan, adding that Chris is still an important part of his life. "Chris knew me before the Pumpkins even started. She's seen every change, and people can think whatever they want; my wife and I are very close."
January 24th 1997
"Pumpkin Billy Corgan Linked With Supermodel" - Allstar Magazine
Smashing Pumpkin Billy Corgan has apparently split with his wife and taken up with model Helena Christensen. According to the New York Post, Billy's long-estranged wife, Christine Fabian, filed for divorce around Christmas, about the same time Billy hotfooted it over to Denmark to visit Helena's parents. Christensen, who dated INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence for a couple of years, was last seen with Peter Makbish, who is described as a poet-filmmaker. The strange part is Makbish and Christensen still appear to be a couple: they recently moved into an apartment together, and they were quite cozy at a gallery opening last week. A "friend" of Makbish told the Post that the relationship of the couple is "an open situation. Peter's very tolerant. They wouldn't break up over a little fling." The Post quotes a Pumpkins insider as saying that Billy "isn't her boyfriend or even her back-door man, they just have a friend in common." Stay tuned.
January 10th 1997
Smashing Pumpkins Sue Chyrsalis Music Group - Allstar Magazine
Billy Corgan, James Iha, and D'Arcy Wretzky of the Smashing Pumpkins have filed a lawsuit against their music publishing company, Chrysalis Music Group, for declaratory relief, rescission, and damages for breach of contract, as well as slander of title, among other claims. The suit, filed Jan. 9 in Los Angeles Superior Court, also names Cinderful Music and Cellophane Star Music, Corgan and Iha's music publishing companies, respectively, as plaintiffs. The Smashing Pumpkins, who signed a publishing deal with Chrysalis Music in 1992 for North American rights for four albums, claim that their contract with the company is now void, yet Chrysalis has "received vast sums of money from its exploitation of publishing rights in the compositions" of five, not four, albums. The suit also claims that Chrysalis is demanding the North American publishing rights to two more albums from the Smashing Pumpkins. Chrysalis Music Group's response to the lawsuit was "No comment."
January 9th 1997
Allstar Magazine
Smashing Pumpkins, Failure, Deftones Do Depeche Mode
'A La Mode' Tribute Album In The Works
Four tracks have already been recorded for a Depeche Mode tribute album dubbed A La Mode, according to sources. The producers of the project have secured the Smashing Pumpkins' cover of "Never Let Me Down Again," which was released as the B- side to "The Rocket" in the U.K. and Australia, for the project. The other tracks that have recently been recorded are Failure's version of "Enjoy the Silence," God Lives Underwater's cover of "Fly on the Windscreen," and the Deftones' take on "Sweetest Perfection."
January 9th 1997
Trouble in Pumpkinland - Prodigy Daily Beat
There have been some sour grapes plucked from Pumpkinland recently. Last week, Billy Corgan, James Iha and D'Arcy Wretzky of the Smashing Pumpkins filed suit against their publishing company, Chrysalis Music Group, claiming that the company is trying to hold them to, and is continuing to make money from, an expired contract. The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on January 9, states that the contract the band signed with Chrysalis in 1992 for four albums has been fulfilled, and that the band wants nothing more to do with Chrysalis. Despite this, the Pumpkins contend that Chrysalis wants publishing rights to two more albums and has "received vast sums of money from its exploitation of publishing rights" beyond the contracted terms for the band's existing albums.
January 7th 1997
The Pumpkins have been nominated for 7 Grammy awards:
best record--1979 best album--mellon collie best pop instrumental--mellon collie title track best rock performance by duo or group--1979 best hard rock performance--bullet best alternative music performance--mellon collie best music video short form--tonite tonite