SMASHING PUMPKINS
August 21, 2008
Mizner Park
Boca Raton, FL
By Liana Minassian
After calling it quits in 2000 amid rumors of internal conflict and drug abuse, the announcement in 2006 by singer Billy Corgan that the Smashing Pumpkins were reuniting came as a surprise to their fans.
Although only Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin remain from the original lineup, the new formation promises to contribute further to the constant evolution of the Smashing Pumpkins, featuring studio musician Lisa Harriton and Ginger Reyes, former bassist of the all-girl pop punk band The Halo Friendlies.
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In support of their new album Zeitgeist, the band stopped at The Centre for the Arts Amphitheater at Mizner Park in Boca Raton and showed old and new fans alike they aren’t ready to call it quits just yet.
Cotton candy colored clouds set the mood for the show, mirroring the psychedelic lights illuminating the Smashing Pumpkins as they took their places one by one. Center stage, Billy Corgan appeared decked out in a space age inspired skirt with silver panels reminiscent of sewn together gum wrappers. While an interesting choice in fashion, the outfit nevertheless contributed to the phantasmagoric imagery of their live show, shimmering and reflecting lights back at the audience.
During the first half, Corgan stayed mostly quiet except when he made reference to Florida native Gloria Estefan, "She’s a livewire. She’s a Latina queen. She’s a Miami Sound Machine," and ironically proceeded to burp as the band blasted their way through "Transformer."
As the night wore on however, Corgan grew more vocal, affectionately dedicating "Today" to the audience, saying, "This song is for you. You’re the future. Yay the future," and upping his antics by playing a Jimi Hendrix inspired version of "The Star Spangled Banner" partially with his teeth.
While he is the front man, the crowd was also particularly receptive of Chamberlin’s presence as his relationship with the Smashing Pumpkins has been on-again, off-again. Indeed, Corgan seemed to be aware of the fans’ adoration of Chamberlin, and he milked it with the proclamation that Jimmy was "the best drummer in the fucking world," which the ear-aching screams seemed to confirm.
Surprisingly, the band members weren’t the only stars of the night as Corgan’s adorable young niece, Ava, helped him sing "Once Upon a Time" to the support of the crowd as they eagerly chanted her name.
Aiming to please both old and new fans, the band covered a broad spectrum of their material including "Mayonaise" from Siamese Dream and "Tarantula," the first single from Zeitgeist. Although their present material incorporates new musicians, the screaming distortion and aggressive back beats generally remain true to the Smashing Pumpkins signature alternative sound.
Corgan seemed eager to emphasize this by stating he had a "funny feeling alternative is going to come back." While his statement seemed genuine, the future categorization of the band will prove to be difficult. From spontaneous improvisations with feedback and tympanis to a charming encore version of Mungo Jerry’s "In the Summertime," played on kazoos, the Smashing Pumpkins’ role in the future of rock ‘n’ roll is up in the air at best, but is sure to be interesting for all who care to go for the ride.
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