News 990410-1

From SPLRA
Jump to navigation Jump to search

DETROIT, April 10 — "We're not, like, a fun band," a cowboy hatted D'Arcy Wretzky of Smashing Pumpkins — a group that's been know to air its share of angst — admitted to the crowd at St. Andrews Hall here on Saturday night. "But I think we're having fun." Then the bassist pointed to dour-as-he wants-to-be frontman Billy Corgan and noted "He's smiling! Good lord; somebody hose him down!' "

There were plenty of reasons for the high spirits as the Pumpkins opened their nine-city club tour, a sold-out sensation that had some Detroit fans offering as much as $150 per ticket outside the hall. First off, this was the group's de facto confirmation, after weeks of rumors, that drummer Jimmy Chamberlain — fired after the July 1996 death of tour keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin — was back in the band. And the group's 22-song, one-hour and 50-minute performance also affirmed that the material its preparing for its new album, slated for release in the fall, is considerably more rocking than the hushed ambience of last year's artistically ambitious but commercially disappointing Adore.

Chamberlain's return has been common enough knowledge that a few signs welcoming him back to the band were held aloft by fans who snapped up the 1,000 tickets for the show in just a few minutes. Sporting a close-cropped haircut, the drummer looked fit and trim; more importantly, he played well, staying firmly in the pocket and piloting the 22-songs — the first four of which were broadcast live over the internet — through their shifting dynamics, to the obvious delight of his three band mates.

"What are you screaming about?" Wretzky asked some fans during the show. "Are you screaming about Jimmy?" Chamberlain addressed the crowd briefly, saying "It's good to be back," while guitarist James Iha quipped "He's only doing this one show with us, then he goes back to Egypt to explore the great pyramids."

Or not. On Saturday, the Pumpkins (who were slipped out the back door of a local dance club Friday night when police raided it for staying open past curfew) seemed spirited and positive throughout the show, not only smiling but also attacking their material — new and old — with genuine vigor. Opening with a pummeling "I Am One" from their first album, Gish, the band tore into "Zero" and then a muscular reworking of Adore's "Pug" before reaching back for "La Dolly Vita," an early single for Seattle's Sub Pop label.

Later, the Pumpkins turned in an OZZfest-worthy rendition of "Ava Adore," along with slamming treatments of "Muzzle," "Soma," and "Geek USA," and a faithful version of the quieter hit "Today."

But the band seemed more anxious to spread the word that their new material rocks, leaving plenty of hits at home and playing no less than 10 of the reported 24 songs written for the group's next album, which is expected to be released during the fall (Corgan's soundtrack for the film Stigmata is due out in June). "Glass' Theme" offered hyper-speed punk, while "Glass and the Ghost Children" was a gauzy, moody opus. Many of the others — including "Speed Kills," "Blue Skies Bring Tears," "Stand Inside Your Love" and "Home" — wrapped melodic pop inside biting guitar fusillades by Corgan and James Iha.

"Cash Car Star," an outtake that was deemed too up-tempo for Adore, offered a sardonic take on show biz stardom, with Corgan growling "You gotta understand/ It's just a fact/ You…gotta get it while you can." And "With Every Light," found Corgan in a spiritual, cherubic rock mood, declaring "It's almost over/ No more war and no more soldiers/ To stand against his love."

That peace of mind extended to the Pumpkins as well on Saturday. Bolstered by Chamberlain's return and confident in its new material, it looked and sounded like a band focused on reclaiming its standing as one of modern rock's most potent forces. — Gary Graff

Taken From Wall Of Sound