HU Podcast #64: Dispatches from the Road 7:52 pm // Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Posted by chris in podcast, tour.trackback
With the Pumpkins still on the road, this week it was everyone else’s turn to talk about live shows. We also touch on the slightly surprising success of Freak, the songs of the Columbus and Charlotte soundchecks, and we attempt to defend so-called “hardcore fans” from the slings and arrows of Billy Corgan.
Listen to the whole show (1:08:59)
(download)(iTunes)
Panelists
-Chris, Jason, Jill, and Andrew
Topics
-Billy Corgan comments on his perception of what he calls the “hardcore fanbase” to Rolling Stone. We tell him why he’s got it all wrong. (9:24)
-Freak is starting to get radio play despite a seeming lack of obvious promotion by the band. How much of this was planned and how much was just happy accident? (8:35)
-Jill on the Baltimore concert. (6:38)
-Andrew on the Richmond concert. (6:36)
-Jason on the Charlotte concert. Plus we discuss the soundcheck songs from Charlotte and Columbus, and whether or not the crowd is booing or just saying “uke”. (16:38)
-We revisit the setlist discussion of last week now that everyone has had a chance to take in a show. (15:43)
Song of the Week
-Owata, Baltimore, MD July 12, 2010
Yay Podcast!
good thing it’s thunderstorming and i’m forced to deal with intermittent internet otherwise i’d never listen to this piece of shit.
Re: Defining the “hardcore fan” base. I wouldn’t take it personally – I really don’t think he’s talking about the HU crowd.
Re: Tom Tom – Billy actually said on UStream this week that Tom Tom hasn’t been recorded. I know Kerry tweeted that he was mixing Tom Tom a while ago, but maybe he was mixing a demo? Maybe Billy is unhappy with the version they already recorded? Maybe the song has changed since adding new members to the band? Who knows… I hope it comes out soon, though!
Re: “Solstice Bare” was a line from Tom Tom.
Re: Mike – I’m so glad to hear your enthusiasm about him.
Re: Recording policy – Billy spoke about that today on Ustream. Apparently there was a misunderstanding with the crew who thought no cameras / recording during soundcheck meant no cameras / recording, period. Billy says everybody is now clear – no recording at the soundcheck, but the actual show is fair game.
As always, thanks for sharing,
-Adam
Billy was probably lying and didn’t want to say about Tom Tom… he just wants people to give a shit about Freak at the moment.
Besides, The Mandarin (the piano song that Mike and the System of a Down drummer were mucking around with in the DLF video) will probably be the next song.
Great point about us young-ins probably not being so critical of SP in 10 years because I know for me, I didn’t REALLY get into this band until ~2006, which also happened to be my high-school graduation year, and I’m very excited to see this new lineup because whether most people realize it or not the smashing pumpkins are still fuckin rockin! This incarnation of this band, and most of all, Billy Corgan’s musicianship is something magical that unfortunately will take a long time for many people to appreciate just as it was for adore, machina, and hopefully zeitgeist. Ironically, they’ll lose out in the end because this album is all about LIVING IN THE MOMENT and not being so overly critical if that moment/song is not up to this incredibly high standard. I think us newer fans are sorta watching from a distance and letting Billy do his thing and not getting too caught up in the politics of what he should have or shouldn’t have done in his past, because OBVIOUSLY we weren’t there like some of you old fucks around here ;-). Like one of you said, Billy should be focusing on the fans that “get” what he’s trying to do, or who are at least trying to get it rather than making generalizations about his “hardcore fanbase”. Anyway, I hope my generation is kinder to the mighty SP because whether people like it or not, Billy Corgan is gonna be around a lonnng time!
Oh, and it was definitely not fair for Bad City and Kill Hannah to open up for SP! LOL
New Interview that touches on Billy’s view of the fan base: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10203/1074397-388.stm
“Life moves on, life moves really fast. What I don’t want to do is keep throwing songs into a vacuum to the 5,000 people that pay attention every day, who follow the ups and down and argue about the color of my hat.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10203/1074397-388.stm#ixzz0uPYA9iDV”
I thought this might add something to the conversation about how Billy views the ‘hard-core’ fan base.
The base problem here, and Billy’s problem is general…is that he truly thinks he is smarter and more god-like than he really is. He is the Prince or Michael Jackson of the Alternative world. Delusions of grandeur.
He believes no one gets his approach to music, spirituality, etc. He loves to belittle people (even those who have poured out their hearts to him over the years via their own hard earned money and time). He only focuses on the negativity of a crowd, and basically says “fuck you” to anyone who is there to support him. The list goes on, and he’s been this way his whole career.
All this constant talk about peace and love is bullshit. Actions speak louder than words…and he treats his fans like dog shit, plain and simple. I don’t care how much “love” you wanna “talk” about…show your fans that you care about them and they will come back to you (instead of running away like 3/4ths of the original fan base has done since Jimmy left last year).
Do any of you think Jimmy really left just to do family stuff and to chill out for a while? No, he left because things were heading in a more fucked direction than they ever had. Because Billy has a chip on his shoulder towards people who have loved and supported him for 20 years, blaming everyone and everything for his own shortcomings and bad decisions. Billy is the only common ingredient in the shit stew that is the pumpkins/zwan/etc.
In short, Billy…I know you read this shit. Stop treating us like delusional, pea-brained morons who don’t understand your tortured soul, and we’ll give you the respect that you crave…because the respect has to go both ways (that’s what she said). You only reel in negativity by belittling your “hardcore fan base” (but maybe that’s what gets you off, and you don’t mind hurting those who show you love).
If you can’t change yourself, don’t expect your fans to change either…because the shit cycle will continue. Either treat us with respect, or fuck off. There’s a reason you can’t fill arenas anymore.
Signed,
A Hardcore Fan
I don’t know if I can consider myself a “hardcore” fan, since I hadn’t seen them play live till Tuesday. But I know all the songs and enough about the past to be jaded by untactful BC comments, strained relationships, internet auditions, yada yada yada…
This band blew me away, routine set or not. To see Corgan’s talents in person was a revelatory experience. And I co-sign with Jill: Mike is an animal.
Just thought I’d throw that out there for the people who, unlike you all, don’t have this extensive well of concert experience to draw from. Great pod, per usual, and I’m glad somebody mentioned the opening acts. Bring ear plugs.
Most of the “hardcore fans” that I have met don’t even want to hear the singles live and neither do I. It is most definitely the casual fans that are stuck in the 90′s and with SP’s old image. It is frustrating being grouped with them when I have grown right along with Billy and The Pumpkins.
@Hardcore Fan
Billy has stated many times how much he appreciates his fans who support him unconditionally AND his actions certainly DO show it. He was very down to Earth during the sound check and was open to questions and seemed very friendly. What the hell do you want him to do for YOU? He’s giving away a FREE album, rocking city to city almost every night this summer and has done countless interviews and USTREAMs so that shitbags like you could MAYBE understand where he’s coming from but obviously there’s no getting through to some people. You make the guy out to be such a horrible person who shits on everyone he comes across which is far from the truth. You can’t deny his intelligence far exceeds what most artists are willing to talk about these days. He doesn’t, as you claim, “believe no one gets his approach to music”, he doesn’t “love to belittle people”, he doesn’t “only focus on the negativity of a crowd”, and he doesn’t “basically say Fuck You to anyone who supports him”. You have absolutely no clue what you’re talking about and I seriously doubt you’re a “hardcore fan”. Maybe he hasn’t earned your trust quite yet but his positivity is definitely coming through to a lot of people and time will tell if he really lives by what he’s preaching. I for sure am gonna put my faith in the smashing pumpkins because for me, Billy has ALWAYS delivered the goods when it comes to making music. You can get hung up all day about his ego or whatever the fuck you wanna say about him personally but a lot of people are optimystic about this project and my only advice for Billy would be to completely ignore you assholes. Good day! <3
Purple Pumpkin, how old are you? I’m serious…how long have the Pumpkins been a part of your life? I’m guessing you got into them during Zeitgeist. You blindly support whatever is spoon fed to you it seems. Its one thing to like a band, its another to lick ball sack every time they do something stupid. Life is gonna kick you in the ass for being such a follower.
I don’t know why people are so surprised and insulted by this ‘hard core fans’ quote. It should be well known at this point that he’s very bitter about where his career has ended up, and that he really doesn’t believe it’s his fault. He’s been very vocal, and has made it very apparent what he’s felt about the SP fan base in general over the past few years. To quote Pete Townsend, ‘they’re all cunts!’ I have no proof, but I have no doubt Billy’s thoughts are in the same league as Pete’s on this matter.
EP 2 TRACKLIST:
1. Freak
2. When the Cocks Crow
3. Tom Tom
4. My Love Is Winter
Freak was released first. then it will be when the cocks grow. after that- tom tom, and in winter, the last song of ep 2 – my love is winter. really nice EP.
Owata
As Rome Burns
Make it Happen
why those songs cant be on ep2?
Owata is yet to be recorded. Nicole said that she created the bassline for new Owata. so that song is probably not recorded yet.
As Rome Burns – Billy is holding this amazing song for the heavier EP.
Make it Happen – Billy is unsure, include it in TBK or not. if it wont be on one of the EPs, then it probably will be released as a b-side on vinyl or the final box.
peace SP fans/haters/trolls etc.
Every single hardcore Pumpkins fan I have ever met (including myself) is very hard to get along, has almost impossible expectations to meet, and is very argumentative. I don’t think it’s an unfair judgement to say that something may have rubbed off on us other than just great music. He has always said that he wanted to be a mirror, and I think that it may have backfired into a 2 way loop.
I have been a “hardcore fan” since right around the time PI came out, and some would say that I follow blindly, but I disagree. I just relate to what I know of Billy’s person/music enough to still like what he is trying to do. Does it always hit it’s mark, no, but the marks that he’s going after are what I’m looking for, and no one else goes after them the same way.
p.s. its sad that Peace+Love, The Leaving Lament, I Don’t Mind (the heavy one), The March Hare etc. etc. probably wont have a studio version.. maybe demo versions on the final box set.. maybe.. I hope so.
I believe I just stated when I became a fan (as well as my age, if you’re clever enough to figure it out) ;-). How can you call me a “blind follower” if you don’t know me at all? I’ve done enough research on this band to understand what Billy’s is trying to convey and I’m more than comfortable believing in him.
The emotional connection I have with SP now is similar to what you may have gone through 15 yrs ago so don’t try to invalidate my enthusiasm for this band just because you THINK you understand SP better. I’m wise enough to know Billy is gonna do what he wants and it’s a waste of time to bitch every time he says or does something you don’t agree with. I’m a fan of ALL his work and I’m willing to bet Billy Corgan’s BEST work is ahead of him.
Good for you purple. I am happy to hear that people younger than me are keeping their ears open for what Billy is trying to play/say.
I also agree with Chaja. The Leaving Lament, and If All Goes Wrong were the stand outs of the Fillmore shows for me (way more so than The Rose March). I also love the lyric of March Hare “What ever will be will be again”, but it is hard to imagine the song without the “Suffer” snippet mixed in. I’m hoping the lyric at least shows up as a leitmotif in another song (a la June, or “offer up”).
Pumpkins are my favorite band and I call Siamese Dreams their best album. I guess I fit Billy’s definition of a hardcore fan.
Siamese Dreams is my 2nd fave. Behind Mellon Collies.
I like turtles
Siamese Dream’s rock’s!!!1 Also Zeitgeists.
@hardcore fan
that was one of the most uninformed, psychotic rants i have ever read in the comments section of this site.
we’re talking about a fuckin’ rock and roll band here. no need to take it so seriously.
billy doesn’t owe anyone anything. all he does is put out music. you can decide if you want to listen to it or not.
Rasheed, don’t you have some off to fuck?
Jeff: Show me your whispy lead.
Professional Artists are two personalities: The Artist and a Person.
Sadly, it seems so many SP fans can’t separate the two.
99.99% of people don’t ”know” Billy Corgan as a Person… Maybe something we should all think about from time to time.
Long time SP fan back when we were trading tapes on the listserve. I think some people get too involved and can’t forgive and forget the transgressions of the past. SP have always been fiery, passionate and full of explosive rock power. Are you a fan of BC’s music and songwritting or does your fandom carry you further into what he does with his personal life. I read and watch anything I can find on SP but I let the music speak to me because that what BC is, a musician. Humans make mistakes, and BC would be the first to admit that his relationships have been tumultuous(Courtney Love, WTF?)
I think many fans are still allowing themselves to be hurt from the past. I was hurt by Jimmy when he allowed drugs to break up the original lineup but I accepted him back into the band after fixing his mistakes. Billy knows he screwed some things up but he is reaching out to fans with FREE music, allowing live recordings on archive.org, USTREAM. BC is trying to change himself and change takes time. As long as BC is making SP music, I’ll continue to listen and enjoy what resonates with my specific MUSIC taste. Can you seperate worshiping BC and being disappointed by some of his human choices from the music that he creates?
FYI… In regards to the discussion on the podcast about modern rock radio playing Freak, Atlanta’s alternative radio station is now playing Freak. I heard it today.
Enjoyed listening to @smashingpumpkin Freak on @99x… DJ stated all 44 songs from TBK will be out at the end of the year. LOL!
^ Just the fact that a DJ would think Billy Corgan capable of that shows that his reputation is okay.
I sure hope Billy’s collapse doesn’t interrupt TBK being finished by the end of the year. ;)
I very much appreciated the soundcheck portion of the podcast, can’t wait to hear the songs someday.
Btw… Doing my part – my band copped to the Smashing Pumpkins as our primary influence:
http://independentclauses.com/2010/02/the-empty-mirror-uses-an-unusual-jumping-off-point-for-its-sound/
Jason sounds a lot like Billy himself.
He really does! Play it up a little more tho Jason =P Billy should definitely drop in on a podcast some time (and have Jason interview him)! If I see Billy before this happens I’ll be sure to ask him if he’d be open to the idea. I mean, he’s done countless interviews over the past few weeks; it shouldn’t be a problem for him to speak with the best kept fan blog of the smashing pumpkins! 100th podcast perhaps?
@Hardcore Fan= I’m pretty sure you have a large porion of off to fuck. this is not a competition on how long you’ve been a fan for, and we’ve all seen dozens of ill informed petty rants on here that are pretty much word for word what you’ve put here. if you don’t have anything constructive to say, i suggest you shut the hell up. and leave purple alone. we have ways of dealing with your sort where i come from…
Ginger Shackleton, your band fucking sucks. Learn how to play, write, and arrange properly before spouting nonsense. Dime a dozen shit-rock. No wonder you still hump Billy’s leg.
big words pal. let’s hear your efforts.
Resorting to random personal insults proves you have no argument left, HF. It’s admitting that you’re just being a jerk.
come on dudes. dont be mad at each other. Peace+Love
p.s. Billy, you have to record it;). Loved the old pumpkins, love the new too. especially peace+Love, 99F, ARB etc.. those songs are equal to old pumpkins.
Not only does Jason sound like billy… his air guitar is a spitting image.
Peace & love has been done before. I already have a recorded copy. Its time to move on. It was on If all goes wrong. Buy the DVD.
but was it on cd? like studio track? not live/rehearsal version? hm? I bet that many of SP fans and casual listeners dont even know about this or other songs on If All Goes Wrong.. I still think he should include some of ‘em as a b-sides or demoes…
jjb:
You may actually be the first on the web to speculate on the meaning of “Gossamer.”
I think it sounds like “Thriller” plus a middle ages plainchant. A remarkable combination.
Whaaaa?! I thought Netphoria did everything first!
Has anyone gotten word about the Metro Raffle tickets yet? They said “winners will be notified at 5PM,” so I guess if you didn’t win, you don’t get any email?
sha-bamp-a-da-bwwowwrr.
ginger shackleton, do you like radiohead?
yes unfortunately the emails were already sent out and I guess since I only did one entry I didn’t get anything. I want to be mad but it was all for charity so….
@Jefferson D’Arcy – Thanks for sharing that link! I must’ve missed these rehearsal videos somehow. This really shows a side of SP I was totally unaware of! Jeff’s playing is really really good (as well as Billy’s of course)! Love you Jimmy! <3
no problem, purple pumpkin ;). amazing songs. Promise me, P+L, 99Floors, No Surrender. I heard that Billy said those songs wont make to TbK. kinda sad. I think he could make a new arrangements, new music for those songs, and they would sound new. for example, this guy made P+L even better. kinda sounds like Lonely is the Name.
Adam: indeed i do. why do you ask?
no reason.
i’d prefer to hear the residency acoustic material released over this TBK stuff. but all of that work and inspiration is dead and gone.
and purple pumpkin.. these videos are on the if all goes wrong dvd.. how could you miss those?
untr0o fan alert!
LOL Adam. I have the DVD but I guess I missed the bonus features or maybe I saw them and totally forgot about it; it’s been a while but I’ll definitely be taking another look. What a shame though because those songs are amazing and deserve more attention. This just shows that Billy’s still got it and that his new work deserves a closer examination. I feel stoopid forgetting about this but to my defense this DVD came out short after me getting fully into this band. I regret not goin to an anniversary show but I definitely have a new appreciation for Jeff’s role in the band.
it makes me miss jimmy more, tbh.
no surrender is my favorite of that bunch.
Lucky 13 on “If All Goes Wrong” is sublime.
as far as the electric performances go, I’m all about that version of blue skies.
I’m all about that whole setlist. A) I’m glad that it shows Billy not running away from the Machina-era material. B) It’s got specifics like Death from Above, Winterlong, Lucky 13, Gossamer, and Crying Tree of Mercury that I love. I personally like the Machina-era material more than the Siamese Dream-era, but that’s just me, and may reflect that I got into them in 1998.
I totally agree with Adam on “Blue Skies Bring Tears”. At the Fillmore shows that song stood out to me as a definitive version of that song. I am briefly in the the DVD (the line outside), and I can say I was somewhat disappointed by some of the performance choices on the DVD. The night before the one on most of the DVD, the whole show had an excellent vibe (the best of any of the nights, Billy was smiling the whole show) and it seems like they didn’t pull anything from that night. “Superchrist” especially seemed incredible that night. I can also say that the 1st night wasn’t quite the negative experience that the DVD projects for all who were there. Some of the crowd were really into it, and others couldn’t have cared less. I briefly met Monte at the Santa Cruz show (and a few times at the Fillmore). I wish they had filmed Santa Cruz as well, I saw a lot of dancing surfer hippies for “Gossamer”.
“No Surrender” was very understated live, reminds me in some ways of “Desire” from the Zwan album. I was really into all the new stuff from those shows, with the exception of “Mama”, “?”, and “The Rose March”. (I will never forget the live premiere of “Superchirst”) I would definitely buy an “Earphoria” of the DVD.
For those wanting the acoustice residency shows, go to thepumpkins.net, they have the MP3′s along with some other great demos you may not have heard before.
so? they only cut audio from videio. thats all. btw, nice podcast. I remember there where photos I think in 2008, where Billy was sitting near piano, demoing some songs. I wonder what songs he doemoed..
and it was way back before TbK was anounced.