Smashing Pumpkins “frighten casual fans,” play Kimmel and Bridge School Benefit
Only Billy Corgan would play national television, a consumer electronic store, and a charity concert all on the same weekend, but this is indeed what The Smashing Pumpkins frontman and his current incarnation of the band did in the last 72 hours. And to think, we’re a week away from the real fun…
On Friday, Corgan and Co. kicked off their weekend with a stop at Jimmy Kimmel Live! for a five song set on the Pontiac Garage outdoor stage. Two songs, “G.L.O.W.” and “Tarantula”, were performed live on air, while “Speed Kills”, “Superchrist”, and “United States” served as the special treat/bonus/encore songs for those that gathered outside Kimmel’s studio.
“G.L.O.W.”
“Tarantula”
The very next day, the Pumpkins traveled to West Hollywood’s Best Buy to demonstrate what it really means to be “guitar heroes.” Serving as the music support for the Guitar Hero World Tour launch party
, the group blitzed through an eight song set. The only problem? It wasn’t for the casual Pumpkins fan.
Things started out promisingly enough as Corgan took the stage around 10 p.m. The band tore through “Tarantula” with efficiency and grace before performing a perfunctory version of “G.L.O.W.” (which is featured in Guitar Hero World Tour as a single, the first time a band has recorded a new song exclusively for the franchise). But the second half of the set left the curious crowd, heavy on Best Buy execs and contest-winners, feeling confused, used or worse…
With that kind of crowd staring back at the frontman, you can hardly blame Corgan from saving the entire second half of the set for working out new material, and dark, experimental feedback-laden noodling. Was this the 41-year-old’s way of rebelling against “fake” guitar heroes playing the video game on one of the multiple screens set up just steps away from the stage?
- Charlie Amter of The Los Angeles Times
The scene is too perfect not to be true…
So lets see. So far, The Smashing Pumpkins took over late night and managed to offer a subtle “F You” to big corporate enterprises, while maintaining the the lucrative money train that is the band’s relationship with Guitar Hero. What else could you possible ask for?
If a benefit concert for kids in need was your answer, then you’re right on the money. The Chicago natives capped off their unique weekend with a stop at Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit for a special headlining performance. Though just six songs were played, according to our friends over at Hipsters United, the set featured a number of new songs (“Ottawa” and “A Song for a Son”) along with a guest appearance from Josh Groban on “Disarm”.
Oh, and did anyone notice the band’s official site is moving away from its BETA version? Click here, camp out, and keep your eyes peeled today… something is going on there.
Until next time, this has been the Wonderful Life of The Smashing Pumpkins. Get your tickets now!
Or stay tuned, as we’ll have you covered, being that CoS will be attending every Chicago date on this tour.
Smashing Pumpkins 2008 Tour Dates:
11/01 - Cleveland, OH @ Palace Theater
11/03 - Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall *
11/04 - Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall ^
11/06 - New York City, NY @ United Palace Theatre *
11/07 - New York City, NY @ United Palace Theatre ^
11/08 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata Event Center
11/11 - Washington, DC @ Constitution Hall *
11/12 - Washington, DC @ Constitution Hall ^
11/14 - Boston, MA @ City Wang Theatre *
11/15 - Boston, MA @ City Wang Theatre ^
11/16 - Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
11/18 - Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre *
11/19 - Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre ^
11/21 - Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre *
11/22 - Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre ^
11/26 - St. Louis, MO @ Fox Theatre
11/29 - Las Vegas, NV @ Pearl
11/30 - San Diego, CA @ IMAC Arena
12/02 - Universal City, CA @ Gibson Amphitheatre *
12/03 - Universal City, CA @ Gibson Amphitheatre ^
* = “Black Sunshine”
^ = “White Cross”
Guitar Hero, not Rock Band, is the band’s so-called “money train”. if you’re going to be condescending, at least get the facts straight.
Davin, save your ire for the many who actually dislike the band
can’t help it. i read this site. not like i went seeking it out making corrections, otherwise my work would never end!
because of all the bullshit negative comments out there, i mean.
I do appreciate it.
Oct 29th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
[...] Jane’s got back together in L.A., Madonna lit a fire in Chicago, and The Smashing Pumpkins frightened “the casual fan.” [...]