An open apology to Billy Corgan:
On this here blog, I may or may not have dissed Billy Corgan and The Smashing Pumpkins organization by saying that he just doesn’t seem into it anymore. I want to take that back, even though it might be true. Maybe Billy did need some time to go back to the trenches, the intimate clubs, and touch the rock up close instead of 8 feet away from a steel barrier/crowdsurfer hurdle. Tonight’s show with Spirits In the Sky was that chance to get centered, remember what it’s all about, and really touch a small group of superfans.
This band was ON. I’ve been listening to Smashing Pumpkins since the Singles soundtrack. I’ve heard all the changes in Pumpkinland dymanics, including Zwan and Billy’s solo album, but part of me thought I had a hold on all that the Pumpkins Sonicsphere had to offer. Apparently not. Super melodic songs, intense harmonies, layered guitars paired with a flute, violin, and percussionist. I’d never really heard this side of Billy/Pumpkins.. even when playing with what seemed to be a mini orchestra at Radio City Music Hall during the Adore tour. This was a completely new and fresh experience, and you could tell by Billy’s face while he performed that he was really into the songs. Honestly I haven’t seen a crowd sway in place like that since those early 90’s shows.
How awesome is Dave Navarro? That isn’t something I’ve said since watching Jane’s Addiction’s “Stop” video but that guy knows how to combine rockstar and low key pretty well. Mike Byrne, new the 19 year old wonderboy drummer of the Smashing Pumpkins, brought his own, pretty un-Jimmy-like style to the songs. While Jimmy’s sound came from a super-tight jazz kit, Mike brought a fuller hitting buckets full of grocery bags kinda loose rock vibe. I dig it. I wanted to say “Good job Matt” when he walked by, but I’m glad I didn’t.. because his name is Mike. Mike Byrne folks.
Really it was an awesome show. I forget if the Strawberry Alarm Clock guy was on bass or if it was another Nuggets Box Set guy (Electric Prunes?) but he had a super solid groove that only comes from an old bass and wise hands. Linda Strawberry was fantastic, and some piano crooner lady from the valley broke up the set with a Willie Nelson cover (of a cover, I believe.) It was all great.
(Update from Mark Weitz from the comments section below:)
RE: Clarification of musicians: Tonight’s Hollywood “Spirits in the Sky” show w/ Billy Corgan & Dave Navarro at the Hotel Cafe show.
Mark Weitz, (of the original Strawberry Alarm Clock-Incense & Peppermints) was on Keys tonight and throughout the tour with Billy. The bass player was Mark Tulin of the Electric Prunes who did a fantastic job of kicking some serious ass on them 4 strings!
Then there was a fucking costume contest. I only found out last minute that there was going to be a costume contest, and on one hand, maybe I should have worn a costume, because it meant you got to stand on stage with Billy Corgan. On the other hand, I’m glad I didn’t wear a costume because Billy would have said something mean to me and I would have to hate Billy Corgan, and I’m glad that didn’t happen.
Oh that’s the other thing, Billy Corgan is nervous about his relationship with us fans. Huge chunks of the Pumpkin kingdom have broken off to become haters, others are still obsessed people that will camp out at shows and mold Billy’s head out of cheese, and then there are those of us that want Billy to keep doing what he does, and maybe hi five us on the way out of a small club. We need to show Billy that we are a supportive crowd that will buy him a beer when we see him out at a bar. Let’s not scare the man or yell insults at him. I’m talking to you crazy blood makeup on the 12 inches of cleavage girl.
Yeah so then the set got heavy. If you’ve never been to the Hotel Cafe you should know that there are rules here about rocking too hard. You don’t get the rock here too often. Sure a solid 4/4 drum beat and some hard Ani Difranco strums can happen, but you don’t hear detuned Gibson SG Black Sabathesque riff rock in this little room. Til tonight folks. If it was even possible that anyone wasn’t into the harmony-filled first half of the night, the second doom n’ gloom set brought what you came out to see, and that too, was pretty awesome.
I need to go to bed but I wanted to get that out there. I don’t know the setlist, but plenty of other websites do. Also some guy that was in the costume contest recorded video from his iPhone the whole time he was on stage so keep a lookout for that (or forward it to me and I’ll embed it in this post.) Anyway, big thanks to Billy and Co. for a great night. I’m actually pretty sad to see this band go away (forever?) as it was a really dynamic and talented group of people.
(Thanks to @DomSalvaggio)
Looking forward to the next SP album,
Jon
LAsnark.com
