One of the best-known alternative bands of the 90's, The Smashing Pumpkins have reunited and are touring Australia.When I first heard the news that the band is going to grace our shores again, albeit with a new line-up, my mind got flooded by memories of my youth. As many of you'd know, I was a HUGE fan back in the days. A very dedicated and a slightly disturbed fan at that.
I went to all their gigs, bought the limited edition singles and albums, wore the T-shirts, had the posters up in my room and listened to their CDs ( 'Siamese Dream' in particular) all day and night. When they toured, I lined up at 9am in the morning to secure the coveted front row position in the scorching heat/freezing cold to see my heros - Billy Corgan, James Iha, D'arcy and Jimmy Chamberlin - on stage. I went crazy in the mosh pit and crowd surfed. I knew every word to every song of theirs. I was obsessed.
Looking back, I have absolutely no idea where all that intense energy and devotion came from. I was such a pain-in-the-butt, brooding teenager. I adored that band with all my heart while believing that the world hates me. Something about their songs full of pain, angst and anguish struck a chord. I took solace in their music.
But after about 2 years, the adulation started to wear off. My attention span isn't great at best of times anyway, and plus I stopped being so stroppy and moved on.
My friends who witnessed that startling obsession more than a decade ago have asked me if I'll go and see them to experience it all again. I did contemplate on it. It would be great to hear "Today" live again. But I decided to give it a miss. The last time I saw them, they played ALL the songs I love. I was right at the front, singing with the crowd, and really feeling the music. I'd rather keep that glorious memory intact. And besides, I doubt I can conjure up even one hundredth of that passion and enthusiasm that made the show so incredible.
I've been listening to Siamese Dream while I write this, and I realise that the album has not aged at all (and I still know all the words). I'm surprised that it still plays, after having been on repeat for about 10 billion times. Thank god CDs are durable.
It's nice to still be able to enjoy the music that appealed to me at a different stage of my life.
I wonder how I'd feel about it in 10 years time. I will keep you all posted :-)
3 comments:
Are you kidding? You should totally go! Have you seen the setlist or heard any of the live shows! Go man, go!
It didn't occur to me to check the setlist. Now that I have, I'm torn. Many songs from Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie.... Arrrgghh
Look what you've done lol
Haven't got much time left to ponder. hmmm.
i had no idea u used to like, no, LOVE the pumpkins. my ex was a massive fan so i know quite a bit about them...u didn't know that, rite?
i saw the ad on tv, and it's true, u dont have much time left to decide. is it just me or does billy corgan look exactly the same as he did 10 years ago?
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