"Yes, it's James Iha."
March 27, 2016 10:20 AM Subscribe
"For the first time in 16 years, guitarist James Iha joined his former Smashing Pumpkins bandmates Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin onstage" last night in Los Angeles.
They focused on songs from Siamese Dream. (You can see the set list here.) The first song they did with Iha was "Mayonaise" — here's the video from last night. That video and more from last night are at the first link.
Before last night, the last song Iha had played with the Pumpkins was "1979," in the last show before they broke up in December 2000.
In a 2012 interview on Howard Stern's show, Corgan talked about his falling out with Iha.
They focused on songs from Siamese Dream. (You can see the set list here.) The first song they did with Iha was "Mayonaise" — here's the video from last night. That video and more from last night are at the first link.
Before last night, the last song Iha had played with the Pumpkins was "1979," in the last show before they broke up in December 2000.
In a 2012 interview on Howard Stern's show, Corgan talked about his falling out with Iha.
And yet what wouldn't I give to hear "Rhinoceros" live with the original lineup.
posted by escabeche at 10:24 AM on March 27, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by escabeche at 10:24 AM on March 27, 2016 [7 favorites]
OMG. Mayonaise is one of my favorite SP songs, and if I could hear Soma live I might lose my mind. If Iha was actually going to tour with them, and if I could be guaranteed mostly Gish/Siamese Dream/Pisces Iscariot era songs I would actually consider seeing them live again. The last Pumpkins show I went to was pretty much a disaster and such a bad show, and Billy Corgan is so off the rails now, I don't know if I can handle the disappointment a second time.
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 10:33 AM on March 27, 2016 [8 favorites]
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 10:33 AM on March 27, 2016 [8 favorites]
This took place less than 40 minutes from me and this is my favorite album from one of my favorite bands. Never have I so regretted having spent a Saturday night on my couch.
posted by The Gooch at 10:43 AM on March 27, 2016 [11 favorites]
posted by The Gooch at 10:43 AM on March 27, 2016 [11 favorites]
So what are the odds on getting reconciled with D'arcy?
posted by LeRoienJaune at 11:39 AM on March 27, 2016
posted by LeRoienJaune at 11:39 AM on March 27, 2016
D'arcy? Slim to none. She doesn't make music that anyone knows of and avoids the public eye.
Iha is a genius in his own right (Let it Come Down is 100% worthwhile listening), but Corgan was so focused on making Smashing Pumpkins his vision and no one else's that Iha was reduced to stage dressing, not even playing guitars on SP studio albums. I'm surprised to see this happen. 16 years is a long time
posted by 1adam12 at 11:44 AM on March 27, 2016
Iha is a genius in his own right (Let it Come Down is 100% worthwhile listening), but Corgan was so focused on making Smashing Pumpkins his vision and no one else's that Iha was reduced to stage dressing, not even playing guitars on SP studio albums. I'm surprised to see this happen. 16 years is a long time
posted by 1adam12 at 11:44 AM on March 27, 2016
In a 2012 interview on Howard Stern's show , Corgan talked about his falling out with Iha.
Interesting interview. I never knew Corgan had a stammer.
Never have I so regretted having spent a Saturday night on my couch.
We can be embarrassed or cringe when we remember something we did.
But Christ Almighty the weight of regret is always heaviest and with you forever when it's what you could have done but didn't.
posted by four panels at 12:11 PM on March 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
Interesting interview. I never knew Corgan had a stammer.
Never have I so regretted having spent a Saturday night on my couch.
We can be embarrassed or cringe when we remember something we did.
But Christ Almighty the weight of regret is always heaviest and with you forever when it's what you could have done but didn't.
posted by four panels at 12:11 PM on March 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
Hell, I had no idea that Chamberlin was back in the fold. This is monumental.
posted by Ber at 12:19 PM on March 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Ber at 12:19 PM on March 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
Siamese Dream is such a nostalgia trigger for me like no other sound of that time. I was a single, early-20s Navy kid in the Bay Area. No responsibilities other than work which, in-port, were nearly negligible as a junior E5. No financial obligations other than gas and insurance for my cheap car; almost every dime I made (plus everything I saved being at sea) was beer money. The world was a playground.
You know how they tell kids one day they'll look back and the high school years will be the best of their lives? Nope. That was, and hearing the Smashing Pumpkins brings it all back in a wave.
(Now's pretty awesome too, though, in a different way.)
posted by ctmf at 12:26 PM on March 27, 2016 [5 favorites]
You know how they tell kids one day they'll look back and the high school years will be the best of their lives? Nope. That was, and hearing the Smashing Pumpkins brings it all back in a wave.
(Now's pretty awesome too, though, in a different way.)
posted by ctmf at 12:26 PM on March 27, 2016 [5 favorites]
Siamese Dream is such a nostalgia trigger for me like no other sound of that time. I was a single, early-20s Navy kid in the Bay Area. No responsibilities other than work which, in-port, were nearly negligible as a junior E5. No financial obligations other than gas and insurance for my cheap car; almost every dime I made (plus everything I saved being at sea) was beer money. The world was a playground.
So only a few more years until it turned into a vampire.
D'arcy is probably so totally out of a reunion that we're likely wasting time even discussing it. She lives on a farm and basically lives the life of a recluse. Throw some substance abuse issues into the mix and it doesn't seem plausible at all (though I guess we are talking about a band that includes Jimmy Chamberlin so who knows).
I mean, I thought the Lush reunion was never going to happen, but at least all those people are healthy and remained connected to the world, if not necessarily in music.
posted by chrominance at 1:07 PM on March 27, 2016 [4 favorites]
So only a few more years until it turned into a vampire.
D'arcy is probably so totally out of a reunion that we're likely wasting time even discussing it. She lives on a farm and basically lives the life of a recluse. Throw some substance abuse issues into the mix and it doesn't seem plausible at all (though I guess we are talking about a band that includes Jimmy Chamberlin so who knows).
I mean, I thought the Lush reunion was never going to happen, but at least all those people are healthy and remained connected to the world, if not necessarily in music.
posted by chrominance at 1:07 PM on March 27, 2016 [4 favorites]
Siamese Dream is such a nostalgia trigger for me like no other sound of that time. I was a single, early-20s Navy kid in the Bay Area. No responsibilities other than work which, in-port, were nearly negligible as a junior E5. No financial obligations other than gas and insurance for my cheap car; almost every dime I made (plus everything I saved being at sea) was beer money. The world was a playground.
Almost the same story, without the Navy. Early 20s kid with a pretty good job and a cheap Chicago Bucktown apartment. Then I met a guy who was thinking about building "web sites" and that sounded interesting. Late nights, Metro, the Cubs were actually good for awhile, but always Pumpkins.
Don't get me started on my crush for Liz Phair. Fortunately will be seeing both at the Civic Opera House in a few weeks. I have an extra ticket because my wife can't go. Just sayin. MeMail.
posted by MarvinTheCat at 1:30 PM on March 27, 2016 [5 favorites]
Almost the same story, without the Navy. Early 20s kid with a pretty good job and a cheap Chicago Bucktown apartment. Then I met a guy who was thinking about building "web sites" and that sounded interesting. Late nights, Metro, the Cubs were actually good for awhile, but always Pumpkins.
Don't get me started on my crush for Liz Phair. Fortunately will be seeing both at the Civic Opera House in a few weeks. I have an extra ticket because my wife can't go. Just sayin. MeMail.
posted by MarvinTheCat at 1:30 PM on March 27, 2016 [5 favorites]
the weight of regret is always heaviest and with you forever when it's what you could have done but didn't.
The funny thing about regret is that it's better to regret something you have done than to regret something you haven't done.
posted by homunculus at 2:03 PM on March 27, 2016 [4 favorites]
The funny thing about regret is that it's better to regret something you have done than to regret something you haven't done.
posted by homunculus at 2:03 PM on March 27, 2016 [4 favorites]
That bit in the Stern interview where Corgan's talking about how bitter he was that Iha didn't talk to him about his solo album? That Iha didn't even bring tracks to him? So that he could offer his help?
His help on the solo project that Iha made to have a creative outlet outside of Corgan's control freaky environment?
posted by billjings at 2:21 PM on March 27, 2016 [18 favorites]
His help on the solo project that Iha made to have a creative outlet outside of Corgan's control freaky environment?
posted by billjings at 2:21 PM on March 27, 2016 [18 favorites]
Huh. Neat. I guess. SP was merde chaude, then Mellon Collie dropped. I haven't listened to them since.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 4:27 PM on March 27, 2016
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 4:27 PM on March 27, 2016
Somehow, this warms my heart. What a great Mayonaise! Here's some more from this show (featuring James):
Soma
Spaceboy / Today
Disarm
posted by Jansku at 4:27 PM on March 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
Soma
Spaceboy / Today
Disarm
posted by Jansku at 4:27 PM on March 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
The stupid Smashing Pumpkins have been my favorite thing for ~20 years. Because of how young I was when I first got into them, I never got to see the original lineup. Have seen them 5 times now since 2011; last summer I *finally* saw Jimmy Chamberlin play drums with the band, and now I refer to this as my patronus memory. Loved reading about James playing Pumpkins songs again -- I think I would explode from happy if I saw him play with them in Chicago in 2 weeks.
posted by sc114 at 7:37 PM on March 27, 2016
posted by sc114 at 7:37 PM on March 27, 2016
The stupid Smashing Pumpkins have been my favorite thing for ~20 years.
Obligatory: I feel so old.
I have never been much of a fan (did like the odd song, but never developed a taste), but it seemed at one stage, post Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins were the biggest alt band on the plant. They did a secret gig in Sydney via Triple J that seemed to be the cultural equivalent of the Pistols playing the Manchester Trades Hall... and then they were gone.
And everyone I knew, who were rusted on fans, seemed to hate Billy's solo stuff. And they didn't care when he started using the name again.
I'm trying to remember a similar band with the same experience.
Anyway, despite not being a fan I got all nostalgiac listening to that 1979 clip above, and that has led me to this concert from 1993 for the release of Siamese Dream.
1993 was a simpler time.
It's weird to remember when Billy had hair and was less like Wilson Fisk.
posted by Mezentian at 7:54 PM on March 27, 2016 [6 favorites]
Obligatory: I feel so old.
I have never been much of a fan (did like the odd song, but never developed a taste), but it seemed at one stage, post Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins were the biggest alt band on the plant. They did a secret gig in Sydney via Triple J that seemed to be the cultural equivalent of the Pistols playing the Manchester Trades Hall... and then they were gone.
And everyone I knew, who were rusted on fans, seemed to hate Billy's solo stuff. And they didn't care when he started using the name again.
I'm trying to remember a similar band with the same experience.
Anyway, despite not being a fan I got all nostalgiac listening to that 1979 clip above, and that has led me to this concert from 1993 for the release of Siamese Dream.
1993 was a simpler time.
It's weird to remember when Billy had hair and was less like Wilson Fisk.
posted by Mezentian at 7:54 PM on March 27, 2016 [6 favorites]
Chamberlain has the stroke all right. What a drummer. You could probably stick almost any band in front of him and people would like it.
posted by thelonius at 2:46 AM on March 28, 2016
posted by thelonius at 2:46 AM on March 28, 2016
I can't deal with Corgan's nasally vocals, but 1979 is a really good song. Had anyone else sung it, I would have included it on all my mix tapes.
posted by pxe2000 at 3:35 AM on March 28, 2016
posted by pxe2000 at 3:35 AM on March 28, 2016
pxe2000, how do you feel about Pavement? (sorry that's not a better quality recording)
posted by a halcyon day at 1:13 PM on March 28, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by a halcyon day at 1:13 PM on March 28, 2016 [1 favorite]
Or, this one by Jacksoul, which almost has a Seu Jorge feel.
posted by a halcyon day at 1:15 PM on March 28, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by a halcyon day at 1:15 PM on March 28, 2016 [2 favorites]
« Older Can't hurt to try, right? | boulders and bones Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by escabeche at 10:24 AM on March 27, 2016 [12 favorites]