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Or nervous because it's one of the first public appearances since the semi-reunion tour was announced. But yeah, it did sound a little shaky. He didn't even attempt that "caaaaaage" scream near the end of BWBW. Here's hoping his voice gets better... I honestly did think that performance of Solara was much better, though. And I have to say, that song has really grown on me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jinsai
Not so secret show announced in LA on Wednesday.
https://twitter.com/SmashingPumpkin/...80480333750272
Yeah, I laughed when I saw their Facebook page post "JUST ANNOUNCED! SECRET SHOW!!" Looks like the music video is about to drop, though...Quote:
Originally Posted by quietime
A few pictures and quick videos. Phones weren't allowed, thus the lack of full videos. Davey Havok came out for the Joy Division encore. Tickets were $19.79, and I've gotta say the setlist ain't bad at all.
Setlist:
Hummer
Siva
Rhinoceros
Bullet With Butterfly Wings
Muzzle
Drown
Soma
Solara
The Everlasting Gaze
Zero
Stand Inside Your Love
Porcelina of the Vast Oceans
Tonight, Tonight
Ava Adore
Today
Encore:
Transmission (with Davey Havok)
1979
How was Billy's voice? Still tired sounding?
I saw a couple clips and it sounded like it's sounded live for a while now, it's probably as good as it's going to get for a while if not ever. He sounded great on that 2015 tour when I saw them but everyone has off and on nights I guess. This set for a 20 dollar show in such a small venue would have been great to see regardless, I can't imagine how big Jimmy's drums would have sounded there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Piko
I'd say he's trying to find a comfortable medium between old and new singing styles, he knows he's been vibrato-ing the fuck out of everything for years now, but he certainly can't sing the way he used to. For what it's worth I think he's hitting an okay balance, better than the recent Fallon and Stern performances. Maybe he'll sound better on the tour proper.
They were supposed to finish with Cherub Rock but I guess they didn't have time.
Hey, I actually kind of liked the aesthetic of the video ... but it's a shame it's paired with THAT song.
Billy looking like he's trying to figure out where his career went, what a video
What in the world? There are some elements of the video I like, but it doesn't fit with Solara whatsoever. I feel like I'm watching a video I don't really care about, so I don't even bother to turn off my music, so the music just becomes this annoying thing in the background, and then after like a minute I'm like yeah I don't want to watch this.
:/
Well, that was a music video...
I'm just glad it was an actual music video from a director with a stylish aesthetic (the last several SP videos have been terrible IMO). Music videos are a dying art and it bums be out. I miss the mid-to-late '90s when music videos got huge budgets and were amazing works of art like Tonight, Tonight and The Perfect Drug, which actually had a refrigerated set. There's no way in hell that would happen now. They'd just insert some dodgy CGI in post production (actually, the smoke coming out of Billy's mouth looked kinda fake). Weird video, but it's probably rife with symbolism and I love the colors and overall look of it.Quote:
Originally Posted by thefragile_jake
Okay, that was hilarious. It doesn't fit Solara at all, but I'm suitably entertained.
Ladies and gentlemen: How Billy Corgan sees the world in 2018
This video was pretty good!
Wtf did I see?
The video is the carrer of Billy or what?
He was trapped in a a fucking horribe place (smashing pumpkis),he finds a new house (His carrer/Freedom) but it's horrible outisde, he returns to the old house (smashing pumpkins).
Interesting music video. And as a comment not related to the music or the video, the years have not been kind to Billy.
He’s about two years younger than Trent, and three years younger than MJK. He looks at least 5-10 years older than both.
I think for someone to share at length mostly a lot of negativity about their old band, and their fears about life, and how they feel irrelevant, and unappreciated - he at very least never found any peace (desperate attempts at spirituality aside) and may kind of be ill on some level. I have never known of someone intentionally playing a heel like he has; I think much of it unfortunately comes from a very real place and that takes its toll. Even if it wasn't apparent physically, he's emotionally seemingly had the worst time publicly of all the surviving 90s acts. As ridiculous as the Alex Jones stuff is, he's clearly in a state of anxiety and some kind of almost chronic emotional pain.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bachy
It is good to see Uncle Fester get outside for a stroll...
While it is a music video, what I found interesting about it is Billy's demeanor. Like he is completely not interested in the whole affair. Speaks volumes about this reunion and his career. Reading deeper into it, in the start of the video, there is our boy on a leash, watching Iha literally wash his hands of him. Then Billy takes off the leash the Darcy clone had on him, and escapes outside. Finds the fans aren't as welcoming to Billy the solo artist and it is scary out there. Everyone is wearing face paint like Sting the wrestler and clearly want to beat him like a bully looking for lunch money (or a wrestling organization on bankruptcy). So, Billy goes back home, puts on the leash because it is time to sell his soul. Yes, I have been drinking.
I also found it funny how they went the Guns N Roses route with playing a 'surprise' gig at the Troubadour a few weeks before kicking off their tour. Might be the same promoter, but I don't think the results are going to be the same here. Billy isn't Axl and Iha isn't Slash. That aside, I had some great memories of the Pumpkins back in the day and I want this to be a success, but it is really looking like a phoned in reunion. Holding off on getting tickets until the reviews of the first few shows are up.
I thought the junkie girls looked more like Courtney Love than D'arcy to be honest. And we all know Billy's past with her, his obsession with her, and obsession of Kurt Cobain and getting his sloppy seconds. Sorry I didn't get D'arcy from it at all. The video could have been handled a tad better with a bigger budget, which is the only thing making it feel cheap.
Call me crazy, but this video's message kinda vindicates D'arcy as the whole meaning of the video seems to be shitting on this reunion and the true reasoning behind it. It's not Billy's bullshit love of the original band and wanting to be friends again and perform together. This video pretty much says his fans forced him into reforming the band because they don't care about his solo work so it's all he could do. In the end it really is all about the money and not about healing with his bandmates and looking back on and appreciating their legacy. It's "Well, this is all I have left. No one cares about me and what I do now. So I might as well do this reunion and make money on the old."
Just look at his outfit, it's the black and silver like his Zero era motif. If you look at the dog collar, it's a silver "0." Like this image I built is now strangling me and controling me and he tries to break free of it. Only to visit a mean and evil freakish world that looks at him with pity and disgust, like he is the freak and not them. Only for him to run to the safety of his collar in the end.
Seriously, this video ain't doing the band or this reunion any favors. It comes off as a fuck you to fans in a way and just shines a light on the true nature of this reunion.
Ugh. I don't know why I'm so bummed I'm going to miss the first initial runs of these shows. I really hope there's a second leg later in the fall, but I probably shouldn't hold my breath.
If I was a Pumpkins fan, I would feel totally disrespected by this video..But since I can't stand Billy boy, I can sit back and laugh. The reunion is 100% phoned in and a total cash grab. This video all but proves it. Shoulda heard their interview on Howard Stern 2 weeks ago. Billy did all the talking while the rest of the band sat in silence. Stern said the next day the band looked like "kidnap victims" sitting in his studio. Fuck, even GNR seem to be enjoying eachothers company somewhat..I dont see this reunion lasting 15 shows but man when this thing blows up, its going to be a sight to behold
Also throwing out the music video opinion that it feels sophomoric, even more so considering a band such as this and one that has been a steady and decent force for at least 12 of the 25+ years they’ve been around. For a “reunion” that video should and could have been so much better.
Not a fan of the song either. Meh.
You are 100% right, she does look a lot more like Courtney Love than D'arcy. That was just me and how I read into it. Anytime I think Pumpkins and blonde lady; I think D'arcy (pretty sure that is a good thing or it is showing my age, which might be a bad thing if I wasn't on a NIN page) and I don't consider Courtney Love. But you are correct and I was off on that one. I am going to go on a mild tangent here because I used to fucking love this band.Quote:
Originally Posted by neorev
I am disappointed in the video and it isn't because the art isn't there; it is because Billy is being very obvious about his heart not being in it. Lie to me and put on a face that makes me want to go see you. While he is a very talented man, I think he is is disappointed that he doesn't have the following of someone like Trent, Axl or whomever. You know, the following with the kind of fans whom have a blind devotion and will follow that artist anywhere. I think Billy has yet to realize that the parts are not greater than the whole if you will. My guess is that upsets him in a fashion he has had a very difficult time dealing with and the rejection of some fans because D'arcy isn't included on this tour has set him off again.
To me, he seems angry at his fan base that he has to do this reunion tour as the fans couldn't get into his solo stuff. He desperately wants some kind of validation. He is just coming off as bitter and someone I really don't want to see, which shouldn't be the case when it comes to reunions. I wonder how this reunion would look if they didn't bother writing any new music and just went out and did the nostalgia thing. The song seems forced like "We had to do this...." and now the promotion for it is showing just how forced the whole deal is with no attempt to hide the obvious contempt of the band's front man. All I can say is it is good that the video came out now and not when tickets went on sale. Might have been a big turn off for a lot of fans.
Man, the house party setlist was nice...
Bizarre video. Why does everyone look like they belong at a juggalo event? I don’t get it?
I saw that video and.... I couldn't finish it. It was bad. This looks like someone who is in a mid-life crisis and wanting to drop all of his dirty laundry in front of everyone.
So resale tickets are as low as 16 dollars for this tour for the Florida shows. It’s so cheap and Billy wouldn’t be getting any of the money and I’m almost tempted, this is going to be a weird tour.
I’ll be at the tour kickoff show in Phoenix on Thursday. I’ll report back with my findings...
FWIW I look at the video as him more than halfway poking fun at his own history. He's presenting himself intentionally as a silly old man dressing like his rockstar-self for fun. Think that's going over some heads.