November 26, 2008 11:08 AM
Smashing Pumpkins coming to town (yawn)
When fans talk about artists and their decline the usual names come to the top: Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Sly Stone, etc. I'd nominate Billy Corgan and the diluted version of Smashing Pumpkins he's dragging around the country, including a Dec. 5 show at the Ogden Theater (it goes on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through Ticketmaster, $45).
That's more of the decline of a band that not long ago was playing Red Rocks and putting out modern rock classics. Corgan's ego, never a small thing, has become a monster, especially when he's got a captive audience hoping for hits and getting self-indulgent crap.
Fans have loudly complained from the audience, which makes Corgan more self-important. He refuses to play the songs they've come to hear, then mocks them for wanting to hear them.
Here's a recent gig in New York where he takes yet another long break to argue with a fan. Warning: Contains graphic language and really stupid, profane, homophobic comments from Corgan.
Here he is acting the fool in Toronto earlier. This was once the best band in America, fronted by one of the best songwriters. That was a long time ago. I'm sorry, I'm just over this:
November 26, 2008
3:22 PM
Miguel writes:
I just take a plane to go and see them in Chicago, and it was worth every mile,
i just can only add that you look very stupid in your moustache, and the last person in earth i will rely for and opinion to go anywhere, its yours...
sorry but looks that you must work more on preparing your notes, this critic was plain lame...
im sure is going to be a sold out, because i font think that nobody listens to you.
November 26, 2008
3:30 PM
Kelly writes:
The mustache is great! Thanks for the tip - I was debating whether I should go or not.....and I think not.
November 26, 2008
3:32 PM
dan writes:
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/img/music/corgan1.jpg
November 26, 2008
4:04 PM
K. Sullivan writes:
Way to jump on the Pumpkins hating bandwagon Mark. Instead of regurgitating what other clueless critics have been passing on all across the country, why not stop for a second and realize it's all BS.
The band is doing 2.5 - 3 hour shows over 2 nights, playing close to *50* different songs including everything that could reasonably be considered a hit. Most bands would be content to play the same hour and a half set every night.
What you call a "decline" is the band moving on with new material. To me a band is in decline when all they can offer is to play the same hits over and over or rewriting the same songs. The Pumpkins have never been about that, which is what their fans appreciate about them.
November 26, 2008
4:16 PM
B.L. Amo writes:
Can't you idiots stick to posting on Hipsters United?
November 26, 2008
5:01 PM
this writes:
is a load of rubbish. 'Journalism' at its very poorest.
November 26, 2008
5:27 PM
bad_sally writes:
The camera doesn't lie. How can anyone watch those clips and not see a total tool?
November 26, 2008
6:38 PM
incognitoboy writes:
come on guys, billy is just trying to be more like w. axl rose, the largest and possibly most irrelevant ego on the planet, bar none.
17 years, YEARS!!... between albums? total band changes HOW many times? and then this....this.... insipid audio defecation he finally deigns to inflict upon his long-suffering fan base???
billy just wants a piece o' that pie. guess he'll have to go into hiding now and start abusing everyone he comes into contact with.....
November 26, 2008
6:40 PM
incognitoboy writes:
.....and then come back with cornrows......
November 26, 2008
7:47 PM
Satur999 writes:
what would you know about kickass concerts...werent you in the village people at one point...like a MILLION years ago
last nights show in KC was amazing...dont listen to mr brown...it seems he is suffering from the first signs of dementia
November 26, 2008
9:07 PM
Chad Burton writes:
Is this some joke I don't understand? Some attempt at meta-irony meant solely to incite controversy?
I cannot comprehend such unwarranted malice towards a band that is attempting to create something beautiful, has Billy Corgan personally assaulted you? Why is it you think you have the privledge to condemn those that are trying to be relevant based solely upon some you-tube clip you glimpsed during your no-doubt vague research? It seems likely you haven't even seen one of the shows yet, so why would you write this? Why Why Why?
November 26, 2008
10:53 PM
Jason South writes:
Wow, the author of this is a complete tool. The band plays around 50 songs on a 2 night stand (about 5 1/2 to 6 hours). What did you expect for them to come out and play Through The Eyes Of Ruby 25 times and then close with Silverfuck?
November 26, 2008
11:33 PM
Dave J. writes:
This guy doesn't know anything about the Pumpkins. They are playing monster setlists WITH fan favorites.
Billy's basically conducting an orchestra up there will all the members now...
Please name another band that has this grandiose of a presence on stage and throughout a tour, playing back to back shows (with completely different setlists) in almost every city. I'll give you some time for that one, Mark.
Isn't this article supposed to focus on their MUSIC and not your personal differences with Billy? A man that wears a skirt obviously has a sense of humor...lighten up.
November 27, 2008
1:39 AM
roxymusic writes:
WOW! When this rare show was confirmed everyone was excited that they've chosen Denver as one of their stops, feeling pretty thankful for that. Plus in a small intimate venue... couldn't ask for more. (YAWN!?!?)
It's a major influential band to many other artists, celebrating the fact that they're still around after 20 years. Making music that is relevent today and not stuck in the same rut.
Not many bands have the ability to sustain two decades and still have a strong fan base - congrats to "what's left of the diluted band"
And froma previous comment, if you decide not to go based on this opinion, you definitely should let a fan who would love to be there go.
So, I take it Mark you will not be attending the show next week, right? I hope a press pass will be granted to someone who actually wants to attend the show and isn't going because he has to...
November 27, 2008
9:59 AM
wow writes:
you look like a chipmunk
November 27, 2008
8:21 PM
I_Am_Billy_Corgan writes:
I am Billy Corgan, and I'm here to endorse this message.
I am the biggest jerk on Planet Earth. And you heard it from me.
Carry on.
November 28, 2008
2:45 PM
Phil writes:
I see this reviewer didn't put much thought into this article. He just copied what the rest of the critics have been saying. "BILLY HAS AN EGO" "BILLY'S GUITAR SOLOS ARE TOO LONG" "BILLY YELLED AT THE FANS" "BILLY WON'T PLAY THE HITS"
The problem with these "reviewers" is that they are only reviewing the hype and the stereotype. They aren't reviewing the BAND or the MUSIC. They are regurgitating the same predetermined verdict on Billy Corgan from before this tour even started.
Billy yells at the fans... it's tongue-in-cheek. He does it at all the shows. Its something the media perpetuated back in the band's heyday, so he is exaggerating that for the 20th Anniversary shows. It's rather obvious.
The band is musically better than ever AND added a horn section AND piano player for this tour. They are playing all the hits, plus brand new material, plus fan-favorite b-side stuff spanning their entire career. Read a few of the setlists. How many other bands do this?
Just because The Smashing Pumpkins are doing something outside the box doesn't mean that the band is in decline. Commercially? That would true, but does that matter anymore? Nobody in rock music can sell like they used to. But declining musically? I don't think so.
Get your head out of your ass next time and review the band and the music, not just the image and reputation.
November 29, 2008
12:05 PM
andrewwww writes:
That's one hell of a cookie duster Mark. I suspect you're unable to detect sarcasm so I'll inform you that that the former statement was indeed sarcasm. Seriously, you act like because they chose to play a small venue they are on the decline from being able to sell out Red Rocks a year ago. Remember how Neil Young was ridiculed by critics when he took his career in different directions? Oh, he occasionally played small venues as well. I wonder if Mark "the walrus" Brown would have said Neil was on the decline when Tonight's The Night was released.
I consoder this show more of a special treat for real fans than anything else. It's got to be electrifying for a band that usually plays large venues to play a small theater like the Ogden. I've been to a lot of shows and I notice how bands feed off the crowds energy - it makes for an amazing show.
I was at Red Rocks last year, in row 29, and they rocked! A great balance of new and old. The fact is, a great band with so much material can't possibly play everything in one night, But they cranked out a great mix of new and old material. It was a wonderful set and it's too bad you missed out Mark because you might be looking forward to this show instead of bashing something you know nothing about.
As for the video clips - You must not have much respect for geniuses because generally they have eccentricities and evidently people like you find this offensive for some reason. You're the same type of person that complains when a band like REM talks about politics during a show when you know damn well a majority of their lyrics are politically inspired.
I was lucky enough to get two tickets to the Ogden show this morning and it's definitely going to be one I remember for the rest of my life. Can't wait to not see you there Mark! By the way, I'm no Pumpkins fanatic or anything, just a fan of good music and the artists that create it.
November 29, 2008
12:06 PM
andrewwww writes:
That's one hell of a cookie duster Mark. I suspect you're unable to detect sarcasm so I'll inform you that that the former statement was indeed sarcasm. Seriously, you act like because they chose to play a small venue they are on the decline from being able to sell out Red Rocks a year ago. Remember how Neil Young was ridiculed by critics when he took his career in different directions? Oh, he occasionally played small venues as well. I wonder if Mark "the walrus" Brown would have said Neil was on the decline when Tonight's The Night was released.
I consoder this show more of a special treat for real fans than anything else. It's got to be electrifying for a band that usually plays large venues to play a small theater like the Ogden. I've been to a lot of shows and I notice how bands feed off the crowds energy - it makes for an amazing show.
I was at Red Rocks last year, in row 29, and they rocked! A great balance of new and old. The fact is, a great band with so much material can't possibly play everything in one night, But they cranked out a great mix of new and old material. It was a wonderful set and it's too bad you missed out Mark because you might be looking forward to this show instead of bashing something you know nothing about.
As for the video clips - You must not have much respect for geniuses because generally they have eccentricities and evidently people like you find this offensive for some reason. You're the same type of person that complains when a band like REM talks about politics during a show when you know damn well a majority of their lyrics are politically inspired.
I was lucky enough to get two tickets to the Ogden show this morning and it's definitely going to be one I remember for the rest of my life. Can't wait to not see you there Mark! By the way, I'm no Pumpkins fanatic or anything, just a fan of good music and the artists that create it.
November 30, 2008
7:57 PM
LimoLance writes:
You're so lame!! Whaaah, they didn't play the all the hits(sorry Artie Lange, I HAD to do it)! Saw the T'giving Eve show in St. Louis, my third Pumpkins show and tour. Billy is at the top of his game. He always has something to prove and this time it is that he is one of the most underrated guitar players on the planet and that this group of talented musicians can do anything ANY other edition of SP could do, maybe better. I saw Floyd a couple of times and they never even attempted 'Set the Controls...' let alone kicked it's ass like Billy et.al. did Wed. night!! You want all the hits, buy a killer system and play the CD's; you want to experience the sheer musicianship and genius of Billy Corgan, catch this tour! I hope to be able to see the 2-night version before tour is over, Billy is in the best place he's ever been both mentally and musically and if you 'get' him at all you want see this tour. I've seen hundreds of shows on either side of the stage and I know what I'm talking about, you sir are a hack!! You just don't 'get' it, man!
December 2, 2008
12:16 PM
Jerod21 writes:
The thing that gets lost on everyone except the true fans and the band is that these shows are for the TRUE FANS, not the critics, not the casual listeners, no one but the TRUE FANS.
You make a pretty sad excuse for a music critic if you can't even form an opinion of your own.
I'll be at the show loving every minute, and I guarantee Mark Brown will not show up to see and hear for himself.
No other band around can play this amount and range of music so precise and powerful.
Stick to reviewing things you understand - music is obviously too complex for you.
December 5, 2008
1:35 PM
Apathyse writes:
If you only knew half of what you think you do, then maybe your article would be worth the internet space it is written. But it is NOT!
I suggest you pull your head that is so far wedged up your ass and then maybe you can see the genious of Billy Corgan and the artistry of the Smashing Pumpkins. Until you can do that you are not worth reading!
January 12, 2009
12:37 AM
NewUseTheory writes:
I saw them in Boston, best concert I have ever seen. Couldn't believe it when they formed back up and on of my dreams came true. You Mark, are the tool bag. Just the amount of negative responses to your article should clue you into the fact you haven't the slightest clue about what you're doing. I could plagiarize other reporters ignorant opinions and put them online too, probably better that you can. Billy doesn't half-ass anything onstage like so many other bands often do. You should really get educated on the topic and see them during the next tour, You'd have to be deaf not to love their music (new and old). Anyway, that's not the real Michael Jackson either. He died in the late eighties, there is no way in hell that bad ass we all loved is the Michael Jackson of today.
-Joshua