Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin took over Q101.1 from 2 to 3pm on Friday, and I did the last break of my shortened show in front of them. It's been a long time since I felt that nervous behind the mic. Billy's recent antics have been well-documented. What if I said something that offended or upset him? What if I upset the delicate balance in the room, and he refused to be part of the takeover? Everything worked out. My words were a blur about leaving things in their "capable hands" (Jimmy raised his eyebrows at that) and the Pumpkins' 20th anniversary shows. Billy called me "very professional." I stammered, gathered my things and moved away from the board, and my co-workers swooped in with cameras and cables and pages of notes.
It wasn't just the fear of Billy's ire that turned me into a mess, of course. I used to be a huge fan. There's not much that can prepare you for being face-to-face with someone whose music was your daily soundtrack. I've met several of these people over the years, and what surprises me is how ordinary they are. Billy looked taller than I'd imagined, but not as pale. He wore a sock monkey winter hat with long ties that trailed past his shoulders - if memory serves, it looked something like this. He wouldn't shake my hand when I first extended it - claiming illness - but put his hands together as if in prayer and gave me a little nod as I left the room. At first, I wondered if his refusal to shake hands was a rock star quirk, but Saturday night's cancellation has assuaged that fear.
During the takeover, I thought that Billy Corgan sounded like an articulate and frustrated man who is highly critical of many things, including himself. I appreciated his explanations for his behavior - it seems like it's just as hard for him as it is for the fans that it's no longer 1993 - and intrigued by some of his musical choices. Who'd have thunk that I'd ever hear ZZ Top, UFO and Scorpions on my station? We captured much of the experience on video, and the footage will make it to our site soon. You can hear the audio now on Q101.com. My chance to see the new-look Pumpkins won't come until December 8th. I'm looking forward to it, even though my expectations are different than they might have been 15 years ago.
Meeting Billy Corgan wasn't the only big musical event of my weekend: I went to see Rise Against on Friday night, which was so incredible that it deserves its own entry. I'll get to that later. Otherwise, it's been a weekend full of Mario Kart, beverages with friends, and football. Oh, and pulled chicken sandwiches. My baby makes a mean barbecue.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I'm glad you commented on this. I'm not a big fan of the group but I feel sorry for the fans that went to their shows and felt ripped off. I've watched the Youtube clips of his ranting and read the disappointed show reviews as well as listened to part of the interview, and I'm not sure what to think. I understand that he wants to play new material but from the reviews the new stuff seems mediocre or incomplete. Why not just play the old stuff now and then put out a new album and tour in a few years? It doesn't make much sense.
He also has said repeatedly that the shows aren't being done for nostalga's sake. If so why were they marketed as "reunion" shows when it's not even the original band line up? And why wasn't there any mention that there was going to be an abundance of new material in these shows? Corgan may not like the old songs and want to break new ground, but without those songs they wouldn't be as popular as they are. He can't just act like those songs never happened because the fans won't forget, and if they ever do lose their tolerance for Corgan and write his band off, it won't matter if he believes the band hasn't reached their potential yet, because no one will care.
Electra, when I met Billy and Jimmy last week, I was told that Billy has a germ phobia, much like Howie Mandel. He doesn't shake anyone's hand, but he will give you a fist bump.
About the shows... I don't understand why people are feeling ripped off, like steven mentioned above. The show I saw at Chicago Theatre last Tuesday consisted of 20 songs. Out of those 20, eight of the selections were popular radio hit singles. And from what I understand, the hits that weren't played on night one, were only being saved for night two. All the musicians were in top form. Billy was as funny as he was angry. And even though I've never been the biggest Pumpkins fan, I was thoroughly impressed. This show made me like them more, even though the critics' reviews would have you think the opposite.
ATTN STEVEN: The shows nor the comeback of the band were ever officially dubbed a reunion. This is something that the media took on their own to expect.
The comneback was dubbed a "renewal and revival" and the current tour a "20th Anniversary Tour" not a "20yr Retrospective". More info on what to expect from the 20th Anniv shows was also posted on the smashingpunmpkins.com blog by Billy himself.
I agree with the Sgt. Not sure what the hell people are complaining about. Expctations seem so outlandish and vary on a person-by-person basis. Similarly, negative comments and scrutiny over every silly little thing from the outfits to his sarcastic comments seem to be weighing in more than, go figure, the actual music.
Maybe its because the music and the musical performances are so otherwise untouchable that this is what people have to resort to.
Just some thoughts. Sux the show was postponed, but anyone who went Friday knows Billy was sick and was still pushing hard. Show was awesome (better than Tues/Wed despite the illness) and I think we'll all see a better show on the 8th as a result. Get well Billy.
They played Teranchula, G.L.O.W., Tonight Tonight, Siva, Today, Bullet With Butterfly Wings, The End Is The Begining Is The End (Watchmen remix), Mayonaise, Eye, 1979, Cherub Rock, Ava Adore, Landslide, Disarm, and Zero.
How can anyone say they didn't play any hits?
Just because you wanted to hear Rocket and they didn't play it doesn't mean it was a bad show.
Post a Comment