Internet fans: James Iha less important to TSP than Slash is to GnR 3:48 am // Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Posted by 34 in ac/dc, analysis, beatles, bullshit, d'arcy wretzky, ginger reyes pooley, guns 'n' roses, james iha, jimmy chamberlin, led zeppelin, satire.42 comments
According to some highly non-scientific research (i.e. paging through google search results of “not $BandName without” queries), James Iha ranks above John Bonham and Bon Scott (not to mention any other former TSP member), but lower than Jimmy Page, Ozzy Osbourne or Slash, when it comes to “it just isn’t Band X without Member Y” fan opinion. Check below to see who “matters” more to a band’s sound/identity (or perhaps merely which bands’ fans are the most vocal about lineup changes).
(more…)
Ginger Pooley Gleeful about Baby 11:07 pm // Monday, November 15, 2010
Posted by alex in ginger reyes pooley, news.19 comments
Former Smashing Pumpkins bassist Ginger Pooley blogs about her baby Talula‘s first steps; confirms that, as previously reported by Hipsters United, she toured with “Glee Live” earlier this year; and adds that she is writing and recording new songs for a forthcoming EP.
Reports: Pajo, Pooley find new places to play basses 1:17 pm // Friday, June 4, 2010
Posted by jjb in dave pajo, ginger reyes pooley, rumor.19 comments
Pitchfork says today that Zwan bassist/guitarist David Pajo has signed on with New York mope-rockers Interpol as a replacement for departed bassist Carlos D. No word on whether Pajo will use his “Papa M” moniker to smooth the transition.
Also, circumstantial Internet evidence suggests that former Smashing Pumpkins touring bassist Ginger Pooley has hit the road with the cast of Fox television’s “Glee” for its series of concerts. An eyewitness report from an HU reader, murky YouTube videos, and an unsourced blurb on husband Kristopher Pooley’s Wikipedia entry saying that he is “the musical director for Glee Live” constitute the mildly convincing case.
Help wanted! Smashing Pumpkins looking for bassist, keyboardist; Ginger Pooley leaves to spend time with family, Mark Tulin to fill in 2:45 pm // Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Posted by jjb in ginger reyes pooley, lisa harriton, mark tulin, news.39 comments
Bassist Ginger Pooley, who played with the Smashing Pumpkins since their revival in 2007, is leaving the group according to a press release. She says in part:
With sorrow and yet with much thankfulness for the opportunity to have played in the Pumpkins, I am sad to say that I can no longer tour with the Pumpkins. Although I’ve been blessed beyond belief over the past few years through playing with the Pumpkins, my priority now is to keep our little family unit together, which includes my husband and my baby. Although I do plan on continuing to do music in different forms, my priority is for neither for my husband nor myself to be apart from our daughter so that we can raise her together.
Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan is quoted in the release as being “heartbroken” over Pooley’s departure but he says respects her decision. Mark Tulin, the Electric Prunes and Spirits in the Sky bassist who has worked on recent Smashing Pumpkins studio material, may “fill in on an interim basis.” Corgan says he will launch a fresh round of auditions to find more help:
We were lucky enough to find drummer Mike Byrne through an open audition process, so why not open the doors again to anyone who might be interested for the bass or keyboard position? As you can see from our past and present, age, race, or a person’s background is not an issue. Everyone is truly welcome to audition.
The press release offers this guidance to aspiring Pumpkins:
Bassists and keyboardists looking to play with The Pumpkins should send their background info (including age, a resume of any bands/recorded work), photos and performance web links via email only, either to pumpkinsbass@gmail.com or pumpkinskeys@gmail.com. Note: only musicians with video clips can be considered. Youtube.com type posts are perfect — that’s how Mike was found. Final date for submission is March 31.
A keyboardist who “can play in the prog-rock style of Jon Lord and Rick Wakeman” is sought to succeed Lisa Harriton, who toured with the Pumpkins alongside Pooley but is (when not backing Adam Lambert or Ke$ha) focusing now on serious jazz music.
Mark Tulin is playing bass for the Smashing Pumpkins. 11:55 pm // Saturday, September 19, 2009
Posted by jjb in ginger reyes pooley, mark tulin, teargarden by kaleidyscope.76 comments
By this I’m not saying Ginger Reyes Pooley is not ‘the Pumpkins’ bassist.’ Describe her current situation as ‘maternity leave’ if you like, and speculate as to her involvement with the band’s future tours or studio work all you want. But right now, Mark Tulin is laying down bass tracks that we’ll hear on Teargarden by Kaleidyscope:
If you believe Wikipedia (and it has to be at least close), Tulin was born in 1948…which would make him three times as old as rhythm-section partner Mike Byrne.
Like that 20th Anniversary Tour, just less confrontational 10:21 pm // Friday, August 21, 2009
Posted by jjb in ginger reyes pooley, jeff schroeder, news, spirits in the sky, tour.add a comment
Billy Corgan has posted an update on plans for next week’s Spirits in the Sky tour of southern California, and both of the newsworthy items have a commonality with last fall’s Smashing Pumpkins tour:
- Corgan (ominously?) describes the last of the six shows, to be held August 31 at Hotel Café in Los Angeles proper, as “a special ‘Halloween Show’.” Costumed fans will receive a gift from the band, and the person wearing the best costume (as judged by the crowd) will get to meet the band afterwards.
- He says that the band will at some points include as many as nine performers crowded onto the stage, including, just maybe, a flutist.
Corgan also tossed this bone to anyone seeking a clear distinction between the Smashing Pumpkins and Spirits in the Sky lineups:
It’s an incredible experience playing with so many gifted musicians in a casual, relaxed setting. I am very lucky right now, because I am also fortunate to have Jeff and Ginger as part of the Pumpkins. I feel very blessed in this moment in time to feel this good about music.
Corgan: “I think I have my drummer of the future.” 5:31 pm // Friday, June 5, 2009
Posted by jjb in billy corgan, courtney love, ginger reyes pooley, news.add a comment
Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan blogs today on visiting Courtney Love in the studio, on making plans to play music with pregnant bassist Ginger Pooley, and on getting close to sealing the deal with a new skinsman:
I think I have my drummer of the future. I’ve worked with him so far for one week and all indications are really good that he’s the man for the job. Going to work with him some more before it becomes official. Whoever takes the job has quite big shoes to fill, no doubt about it.
As usual, Billy’s post — a relatively brief, lighthearted one — is worth reading in full.
Wittle Baby Smashing Pumpkins 10:22 am // Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Posted by Jill in ginger reyes pooley, news.6 comments
According to an endearing post on the Smashing Pumpkins’ official site from Ginger Reyes Pooley, she will soon be sporting a baby bump! She says:
I want to share something wonderful that is happening this year for me also. My husband Kris and I are expecting a baby in October! We are very excited.
Many congrats to the lovely couple! Ginger goes on to elaborate on their plans up to the delivery date:
Until the baby is here I will be on the road working on my own music as Kris plays keyboards for Morrissey (with Matt Walker on drums).
Hmmm. Great gig for Kris, but does this mean no touring this year for the Pumpkins? A replacement bassist? What’s the plan?
Last stage banter of the 20th Anniversary tour 6:08 pm // Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Posted by jjb in billy corgan, ginger reyes pooley, jeff schroeder, tour, video.add a comment
Here is a filmed-from-way-in-the-back YouTube clip of Billy’s remarks just before closing with “I Am One Pt. 2″ at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago on December 8. Included is a particularly emphatic thank-you to Ginger and Jeff, as well as this:
A lot of people wondered why it took us so long to come back to Chicago. One of the reasons was, we didn’t want to come back unless we were ready. Now we’re ready.
What is Ginger slinging? 4:07 pm // Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Posted by Jill in gear, ginger reyes pooley.1 comment so far
According to this site, bassist Ginger Reyes of the Smashing Pumpkins is “loving her new Ashdown bass rig and is blown away by the power, tone and clarity she is now getting night after night!”
I know it’s hard to tell whether that’s an advert for gear or a Viagra promotion, but if you’re interested in her specs, apparently she is using the following: ABM 900 Head, Klystron 1000 Head, ABM 810 Cabinet, Klystron 410 Neo Cabinet and a Klystron 115 Neo cabinet.
Head on over to Dolphin Music for links to all her equipment if you’re so inclined. Or, perhaps, gaze at the least sexy picture ever of G’s rack, above.
Rock Sellout: Tampa Photos 3:59 pm // Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Posted by Jill in ginger reyes pooley, photo.4 comments
Keath at RockSellout.com recently posted a fantastic set of photos from the recent Tampa, Florida show, including one of Ginger that is just stunning.
Check them out here with a blurb about the Live Music Archive, which I coincidentally wrote about last week for SP.com. File that under “Things that Make You Go ‘Hmmm..’”
Ginger Weds, Men Weep 9:34 am // Monday, June 30, 2008
Posted by Jill in ginger reyes pooley, news.7 comments
Though I realize this post is about a week late, this is for those of you not in the reader demographic that makes Hipsters United’s “ginger reyes” tag search the second-most requested URL on the site.
Yes, Ginger did indeed get married last Sunday, June 22nd in Long Beach, California to one Kristopher Pooley, who is most (famous?) known for his work as Gwen Stefani’s touring keyboardist. We gotta give him professional props though – he is currently “preparing for a retrospective tour with the legendary band Siouxsie and the Banshees,” according to his profile on M-AUDIO.
As a girl, I feel I can pry into these matters a little bit more than my (creepy) male counterparts; I’ll confess that I read Perez Hilton on a pretty regular basis. Plus, Netphoria managed to find this standard-issue wedding website here. But for what it’s worth, Ginger gets my stamp of approval on wedding registry selections. Restoration Hardware (registry here) is a store where I regularly oogle beautiful fixtures and sumptuous linens; and I pretty much paralyzed every time I go to Williams-Sonoma (registry search here) for all the beautiful kitchenware.
I’m impressed by her All-Clad wishlist; if I was getting married it would be my top billing. Though, these days, I salivate over all things Le Creuset. And major props on the Wusthof knife set — good luck getting someone to buy you a grand worth of knives. Beautiful… German… knives… *sigh* Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver would be proud.
Man, all this talk about cookware makes me want to whip up a meal… Congratulations, Ginger and Kristopher!
On a lighter note — Some Eye Candy! 3:24 pm // Friday, April 11, 2008
Posted by Jill in australia, billy corgan, ginger reyes pooley, jeff schroeder, jimmy chamberlin, photo.add a comment
The last leg of the Australian tour has brought more great photos to the Flickr photostream, and I’m back to send you some great stills. Check out these below for a quick dose of eye candy, and be sure to check out the photographers’ individual feeds to give them props.
Photos courtesy of nic bezzina, Matt Carty of the Messenger News, and David Craddock Photo
SP-HOLY-F’ing-C! 10:32 pm // Monday, March 31, 2008
Posted by Jill in amusing, ginger reyes pooley, jeff schroeder, lisa harriton.1 comment so far
A site I know and love has perhaps the scariest set of 156 Photoshopped images I’ve ever seen. And they rotate. In this fine example above, I believe lilac-screened Paz Lenchantin is either 1) trying to eat me or 2) revealing to the world that she is, in fact, a serpent capable of unhinging her jaw to devour “The Girl with the Cruel Face.”
In recent news (post-1999, at least), the rotation has been updated to include the newish band members almost a year after the band’s reunion. Timely. Below, meet Jeff “The Matrix” Schroeder, Ginger “Smurfette” Reyes, and Lisa “Bubblegum Face” Harriton. Welcome aboard, gang! You’re in good company!
… to be continued …
Commander Reyes, Pilot Corgan successfully undock 7:38 pm // Thursday, March 27, 2008
Posted by jjb in amusing, billy corgan, ginger reyes pooley.add a comment
PR-inside.com touts its “News and Free PR”. The latter is pretty much what this is for the Smashing Pumpkins.
Credit goes to Chris Chiasson for the find!
London update: In-store signing; Ginger slings a ring? 2:59 am // Sunday, February 17, 2008
Posted by Jill in ginger reyes pooley, news, tour, united kingdom.add a comment
As Derrin in the Motherland reports, the London in-store appearance went off without a hitch, though my suspicions about a brief performance were not fulfilled. Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin manned the event graciously, offering to sign copies of the recently-released American Gothic and Zeitgeist discs. See more pictures and read more about the event here.
After the appearance, the band took the stage at the O2 Arena to perform a similar setlist to the previous night’s – except with an Echo and the Bunnymen encore. However, attendees are also reporting an on-stage announcement that Ginger is engaged!
If that’s the truth, Ms. Sling – whole-hearted congratulations! Who’s the lucky guy?!
Ginger Slings around Some Superdrag. 10:58 pm // Saturday, December 1, 2007
Posted by Jill in ginger reyes pooley, superdrag.add a comment
I never thought I’d have a good enough excuse to use my Superdrag tag more than once, let alone three times. But yet again, the overlap between two of my favorite (yet completely unrelated) bands rears its head.
Smashing Pumpkins’ bassist Ginger Reyes is a long-time fan and cites the influence of Superdrag in her Ginger Sling press release. Last year, she apparently covered Superdrag’s “She is a Holy Grail” for a Tribute Project. It’s actually quite good.
Check it out on her MySpace!
European tour wrap-up, from the Mouths of Babes. 5:37 pm // Sunday, September 9, 2007
Posted by Jill in blogging, ginger reyes pooley, greece.3 comments
Ginger has posted the latest installment of the official band blog with a wrap-up of the European tour leg and some candid photos. Apparently because of the Greek festival cancellation, the band was able to tour Greece, including stops at the Parthenon and Delphi.
Ginger says:
While we were in Greece, I was able to see the Parthenon and eat Greek salads. Both were amazing. Some of us also took a day trip to Delphi to see where the Oracle once lived. It is pretty fascinating to some of us history nerds to see such incredible historical sites.
Okay, first of all, I’m down with the history nerddom. But — sightseeing with the Pumpkins? Sheesh. Sounds like an adventure.
If you could go on vacation with the Pumpkins, where would *you* go?
Ginger Exposéd! 9:35 am // Friday, August 31, 2007
Posted by Jill in ginger reyes pooley, interview.1 comment so far
 |
In an interview with Venus zine, Ginger Reyes discusses the grueling boot camp that is touring with the Pumpkins, and the “crypticism” of her (and guitarist Jeff Schroeder’s) permanent involvement in the band:
|
| This is something that has been a constant source of speculation at HU and our conclusion has been just about as -erm- inconclusive as Ginger’s. It’s obvious Billy is asking her to prove herself in every way possible, from the tough practice schedule, to the international touring schedule, as well as not introducing her at live shows until recently. This short leash she’s been on seems to have slackened though — as evidenced by this interview!
However, what I did not know is the extent to which she *has* proven herself in the past, particularly in terms of humanitarian aid and philanthropy. The article goes on to list things she’s done: Well, then. Color me impressed. I look forward to hearing more. |
|
Speaking of hot female bassists… 12:11 am // Monday, August 27, 2007
Posted by Jill in ginger reyes pooley, video.add a comment
My last post brought you the latest and greatest about Melissa Auf der Maur’s grand new projects. While we’re on the subject of Pumpkins bassists, a post earlier this month from Spazeboy.net digs up an video of current bassist Ginger Reyes’ previous incarnation pre-Pumpkins, Ginger Sling. This video is supposedly inspired by Elliott Smith.
Now, Ginger was also in another band called Lo-Ball that at first listen sounds inspired by MADM’s alma mater (well, that and if Blink-182 was composed of girlz). This video is worth the Josie and the Pussycats flashback it incurs:
Maybe I’m way behind on this YouTube thing, but everyone needs a little videoblogging eye candy (and laughter) sometimes.
