The Smashing Pumpkins, Siamese Dream

By Sean

The Smashing Pumpkins single-handedly changed the trajectory of my life. In 1994, I was 13 years old, playing drums in the middle school band and had formed my own garage band. Jimmy Chamberlain, albeit a terrible role model secondary to his chronic heroin abuse and days of drug benders, was my drumming icon and I knew at that time that I would devote a large part of my life playing drums; my interest, style of drumming, and marginal success was in part due to Jimmy Chamberlain and The Smashing Pumpkins. When I reflect on my decision to continue with my instrument, it was because of the influence of this band. Moreover, being a musician took me to many places in the world, and I can remember it spawning from one night in Salem, VA in 1994.

In the wake of the grunge scene, The Smashing Pumpkins were pegged as the "new Nirvana." In the early and mid-90's I stumbled across Siamese Dream (1993), what I believe to be one of the top five alternative records of all time; Rolling Stone ranks it number 360 of 500 best records of all time. I was fortunate enough to catch their tour in 1994 in Salem, VA with the Meat Puppets, a show that I consider so lucky to have attended. The production on this record from rock-legend Butch Vig provided the most progressive rock with deep distortions, melodic vocals - both fantastical and angry and overbearing drums beats, creating the most sonic textures and moods for grunge rock. Nevertheless, I will say that many aspects of Siamese Dream did not and cannot translate well in live shows, as I remember and have seen on recorded performances. In reading old interviews with Corgan, many of the dreamy and atmospheric tones that are heard on some songs had between 40-100 overdubbed guitar sections, all compressed into one track; the beauty of studio work - I guess.

The Smashing Pumpkins had an excellent run for five years; I would argue '91-'96. Sadly, this was a band that peaked fast, with bizarre musicians - primarily a cast of one, with inner-band dating, extreme drug addiction, rehab and depression. Then again, I suppose that is often how bands implode. Moreover, it didn't help that after 1995 every album was worse than the previous and half of the original members were leaving and disengaged with one another.

Although major music awards are by no means the objective mark of critical acclaim, I'm always dumbfounded when such influential bands never receive such recognition by the music industry. Even though they did receive a Grammy nomination in 1994, they never topped the Billboard charts and sank quickly. Multiple attempts for a reunion tour have been poorly attended and quite honestly will never work: Corgan is boring and washed up, Iha is a cog in Corgan's machine (though dislikes him), D'arcy is too busy suing Corgan, and the real talent, Jimmy Chamberlain, can't get his act together. If a reunion of this four-some were ever to take place, only then would I bust out my old ripped jeans, Addidas Sambas, flannel shirt (open of course), t-shirt (insert band logo here) and thank God for the return of the awkwardness of adolescence and 1994!

See the video above for footage of The Smashing Pumpkins at what I believe to be '93-'94 - the most ideal lineup and ego check.