Showdate: Septebmer 11th, 2010
FACT: I’ve walked out of a Smashing Pumpkins show before. I’ve given up the Smashing Pumpkins section of my music library the finger for so long, I don’t even remember when I stopped caring (I checked, I gave up at Siamese Dream). When the “Smashing Pumpkins” re-formed, I was apathetic at best. I would consider paying money to see Billy Corgan the equivalent of chambering five rounds in a revolver and playing a little Russian Roulette.
Of course, when they announced The Smashing Pumpkins show was part of Musicfest Northwest? Yeah, I knew I would be there. This would either be a trainwreck or an excellent show. If it sucked, I’d walk. Not like it would be the first time. At least tonight I have options. I’m giving myself the delusion I’m in control.
At the venue. The line stretches about a block, and people definitely are not going to get in. The approximately 800 person Wonder is going to be packed to the rafters for this one. And…word. By the end of the show, the Wonder is like a sauna. Billy Corgan stated that it was a pleasure “playing on the surface of the sun.” Leaving the venue, we saw an ambulance roll up. The heat really was asinine inside the venue. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves talking about the end.
Lights drop and we have The Smashing Pumpkins on stage with Billy front and center. Rocking his silver and black Mortal Kombat look. I know that kid from Oregon plays drums. That is super duper great, Represent! and all that. Really, I was there to see Billy play guitar.
First song was “Today”. Ladies and gentlemen, we have our first ray of hope. The song was played true to the recorded version with the live flair you would expect. It wasn’t dismembered to unrecognizable dogshit or extended to 15minutes of mind-numbing guitar wankery. I’m excited.
When the opening chords of “Drown” were played, I thought I was hallucinating. I didn’t check any setlists or anything ahead of time. Didn’t expect that song to be an option. As cliched and as ridiculous as it sounds, the Singles soundtrack will always remind me of good times. But the setlist was definitely taking the spoonful of sugar approach before delivering the medicine.
The guitar wankery started with a long solo after “Drown”. “Bullet With Butterfly Wings” was in the middle of the set and rocked so hard I said goodbye to my earplugs permanently for the evening and joined everyone around me in going crazy. Song is pumping wall of sound with Billy careening almost out of control over the top. High powered lights flashing in the background. Incredible. Totally reminded me what I always loved and hated about The Pumpkins. When they rocked it was just insane. Songs like “Geek USA”, “I Am One”, and “Bury Me” are such fierce rock songs of that 90′s era. For someone of Billy Corgan’s obvious talent, doing that repeatedly would seem easy. And I think therein lies the problem. It is boring to him. Therefore, he interests himself with guitar wankery and distasteful ego. Or maybe he was, and is, just an asshole.
Regardless, wandering the self-imposed isolated road of the rock and roll wilderness has seemed to mellow Billy. He thanked us for listening. Was gracious. Hired the Oregon kid drummer permanently and introduced his family. Wouldn’t surprise me if he was writing checks to non-profits backstage and scheduling his soup kitchen shift. The whole thing was a nice turnaround. For real! And Billy appears to be splitting the difference. Playing some of the shit we want to hear, and wanking off with his guitar like he wants to hear. I’ll settle.
The guitar wankery settled in hard and permanent for most of the set after “Bullet”. After removing his Mortal Kombat kimono, Billy revealed a long sleeve black and white striped sweatshirt. Proving once and for all he is inhuman. The heat was so energy sapping in the venue, I would have died.
Final song of the evening was “United States”. Driving rhythm with a full on guitar rock assault. Billy screaming “Revolution! What will they do to me.“ Insane guitar solo take on Jimi’s “Star Spangled Banner” complete with teeth picking.
Encore was “Zero”. A great end. Rocked, rocked, rocked. Chris and I slightly differ on this show. We both agree it was excellent. No doubt it was. It was three song choices from being over the top fucking legendary. That small a club being rocked like that was such a rare treat. I’m a selfish motherfucker just like Billy and I wanted it all. The guitar jack off session replaced by three songs would have made the whole thing legendary. And Billy damn well knows it. And will never give it up.
I’m over it. It was an amazing show and I was damn glad I went.
