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March 20, 2009

Jimmy Chamberlin Quits Smashing Pumpkins

thubmnail icon: Jimmy Chamberlin Quits Smashing Pumpkins

And then there was one. Via press release: "The SMASHING PUMPKINS' guitarist, singer, songwriter and founding member Billy Corgan has announced that drummer Jimmy Chamberlin has left the group. Chamberlin joined the band Corgan founded in Chicago in 1988 and played on all their albums except Adore (1998). Corgan will continue to write and record as SMASHING PUMPKINS with plans to head into the studio this spring." In 1996, Corgan kicked the drummer out of the band after he and touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin overdosed on heroin (and Melvoin died). No reason was given this time, but that won't stop you from speculating, I'm sure.

Posted at 7:40 PM by Scott
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83 Comments

oh.... fuck

Posted by: Deceiver profile link at 03/20/09 8:04 PM  | Reply
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they couldn't agree on a group hair style...

Posted by: Preston profile link at 03/20/09 8:08 PM  | Reply
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Sad News. I really wanted to see them both live again. Stomach hurts :(

Posted by: Stan at 03/20/09 8:11 PM  | Reply
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Irreconcilable differences re: the Ticketmaster merger.

Posted by: Bridget at 03/20/09 8:13 PM  | Reply
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I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's because Corgan is a dick.

Posted by: wi_ngo profile link at 03/20/09 8:18 PM  | Reply
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Corgan is a wanker. Period. Always has been. He was an emo back when emo, well still IS fucking gay. Luckily made some ok tunes tho. But fucked it all up cause he believes he's the only talent in the band. this was destined to happen, im suprised JC lasted that long.... probably for the $$$

Posted by: MAAAAAYYYYEEETTTT  in reply to wi_ngo's comment at 03/22/09 6:35 AM  | Reply
Score = -27 Vote up Vote down

Does your mother know your using her internets? She may be expecting a call. Run along and listen to some more Kill Switch or whatever it is that you sprouts are into these days.

Posted by: FlimFlam  in reply to MAAAAAYYYYEEETTTT's comment at 03/23/09 9:32 AM  | Reply
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wow, i didn't think it was possible, but this makes the new SP an EVEN BIGGER farce than it was before!
at least it was 1/2 the band (even though that was pretty ridiculous), but now it's just a Billy Corgan show with a bunch of extras. yowsa!

though at the same time, if there was to be any form of SP out there, i'd rather it have Chamberlin drumming...

Posted by: john at 03/20/09 8:19 PM  | Reply
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I agree Mulhausen

Posted by: AMSP'd  in reply to john's comment at 03/20/09 11:11 PM  | Reply
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I don't care. But I would care if Billy hired that guy in the yellow shirt on the far left of this photo. Yep that would definitely give me cause to care.

Posted by: bananafana feux profile link at 03/20/09 8:21 PM  | Reply
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If there's only one person, it's no longer the Smashing Pumpkins, Mr. Corgan. Doesn't matter what you'd like to think.

Remember your solo record? or Zwan? Wait, maybe he does remember that and it's the reason he's releasing his next solo album under the SP name... hmmm.

Posted by: d33r profile link at 03/20/09 8:31 PM  | Reply
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just when i thought the parade of smashing pumpkins news couldn't get funnier...

Posted by: derek profile link at 03/20/09 8:37 PM  | Reply
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Just when he thought the parade of Smashing Pumpkins news couldn't get any funnier...

Posted by: Jazzbone profile link at 03/20/09 8:44 PM  | Reply
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That is actually a really funny comment.

Posted by: timo  in reply to Jazzbone's comment at 03/20/09 9:47 PM  | Reply
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Thanks for the grammar correction, Jazzbone.

I'm sure anyone who read my comment would've been thoroughly confused otherwise.

Posted by: derek profile link  in reply to Jazzbone's comment at 03/22/09 3:58 AM  | Reply
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Too bad. Jimmy is a total skull crusher on drums and definitely has his own style. Smashing Pumpkins can be SP as long as Billy and Jimmy are involved. They can't be SP without the two of them together. This is a shame.

Posted by: McFearless profile link at 03/20/09 8:50 PM  | Reply
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billy: please please break up the group and save whatever's left of sp's legacy - i fucking beg you

Posted by: grover profile link at 03/20/09 8:53 PM  | Reply
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They both look miserable...

Posted by: Jeff Dowder at 03/20/09 8:56 PM  | Reply
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Plaster some shades on Corgan in that picture and he could make a career out of playing "Surfing With the Alien" (and suing Coldplay).

Posted by: kidacomputerok at 03/20/09 9:09 PM  | Reply
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Hey, Billy's head is pointy like a gnome. How had I not seen that before?

Posted by: Lucretius at 03/20/09 9:27 PM  | Reply
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Jimmy: Hey Billy, what's up with the whole 'appearing before congress' thingy? I think you're making yourself less and less credible everyday. I mean, first- the whole Visa ad, and now this...

Billy: I have an M.D. from Harvard, I am board certified in cardio-thoracic medicine and trauma surgery, I have been awarded citations from seven different medical boards in New England, and I am never, ever sick at sea. So I ask you; when someone goes into that chapel and they fall on their knees and they pray to God that their wife doesn't miscarry or that their daughter doesn't bleed to death or that their mother doesn't suffer acute neural trauma from postoperative shock, who do you think they're praying to? Now, go ahead and read your Bible, Jimmy, and you go to your church, and, with any luck, you might win the annual raffle, but if you're looking for God, he was talking to Congress on March 10th, and he doesn't like to be second guessed. You ask me if I have a God complex. Let me tell you something: I am God.

Jimmy: ...uhhhh, later man...

Posted by: the musicologist profile link at 03/20/09 9:27 PM  | Reply
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epic fail.

please just hang it up now billy, please.

Posted by: Gianni at 03/20/09 9:46 PM  | Reply
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Animal Collective > Smashing Pumpkins

Posted by: Avey Tare at 03/20/09 9:48 PM  | Reply
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nearly everyone > smashing pumpkins

Posted by: la la landon profile link  in reply to Avey Tare's comment at 03/20/09 11:06 PM  | Reply
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um....siamese dream/gish > animal collective. My dogs barking > animal collective. I don't care what you think about every shitty sp album since.

Posted by: Matt  in reply to Avey Tare's comment at 03/22/09 10:24 AM  | Reply
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Not being an ass > Bringing up Animal Collective every five seconds.

You can't force everyone to like that band. Sorry, they just don't write the kind of albums I enjoy.

Posted by: FlimFlam  in reply to Matt's comment at 03/23/09 9:40 AM  | Reply
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Emptiness is loneliness, and loneliness is cleanliness, and cleanliness is godliness, and God doesn't care about the Smashing Pumpkins, just like me.

Posted by: dafs profile link at 03/20/09 9:54 PM  | Reply
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He never really fit in any way. Maybe him, D'arcy, and James Iha, can form a sweet band.

Posted by: Voyno profile link at 03/20/09 10:24 PM  | Reply
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Except James is already in his own AWESOME SUPERGROUP GUYS, CMON!

Posted by: vlogger47  in reply to Voyno's comment at 03/21/09 10:01 PM  | Reply
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I wish Corgan would have just disappeared after Siamese Dream. I mean, that's a pretty sweet legacy if he just quits right there. The 90's were full of artists who quit/died just as they were getting interesting. He should have been one of them (who quit).

Posted by: megaindiedouche at 03/20/09 10:38 PM  | Reply
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No, no I think you had it right before you inserted the too kind ( ) clarification... Corgan should have died.

Posted by: Bronson  in reply to megaindiedouche's comment at 03/20/09 10:45 PM  | Reply
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Does it really even matter?

Posted by: Robot Jones profile link at 03/20/09 10:58 PM  | Reply
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World's Greatest Drummer decides to jump sinking ship.

Posted by: Lonnie Pigford at 03/20/09 11:08 PM  | Reply
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Don't bring Janet Wiess into this.

Posted by: FlimFlam  in reply to Lonnie Pigford 's comment at 03/23/09 9:42 AM  | Reply
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don't leave rick allen out of this

Posted by: π  in reply to Lonnie Pigford 's comment at 03/25/09 7:01 PM  | Reply
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I'd quit too.

Posted by: jeremy at 03/20/09 11:36 PM  | Reply
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Who the fuck cares? The Smashing Pumpkins haven't been interesting or relevant in a fuckin' lifetime.

Not to mention Corgan is such a twat that it literally overshadows his music.

Posted by: Evan at 03/21/09 12:00 AM  | Reply
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Further proof of why no one should touch anything labeled "Smashing Pumpkins" post Machina II. Let's all petition for Billy to realize he's a solo artist who can play Pumpkins songs, because after all, he wrote them.

Fuckin' Billy Corgan.

Posted by: Peter at 03/21/09 12:21 AM  | Reply
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Well, if James Iha can find second life with Tinted Windows, it's only a matter of time before Chamberlin comes back with another super group featuring other once prominent artists.

Posted by: Ryan at 03/21/09 1:00 AM  | Reply
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He should join forces with the singer from Deep Blue Something, the bassist from the Gin Blossoms and the guitarist from Collective Soul.

Posted by: makebeeleaves profile link  in reply to Ryan 's comment at 03/21/09 4:05 PM  | Reply
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Good for him! He prolly got tired of Corgan's twisted meanness & isolation. Good luck, JC!

Posted by: chris at 03/21/09 1:18 AM  | Reply
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Smashing Pumpkin

Posted by: your mom at 03/21/09 1:50 AM  | Reply
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If I wasn't so drunk I'd be more sad / introspective / have a better comment to make other than: Fuck Billy Corgan. Fuck the Smashing Pumpkins (2000 - now), and MOTHERFUCK Courtney Love for good measure.

Posted by: Chris Walker at 03/21/09 3:54 AM  | Reply
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Man. I used to love Siamese Dream when I was younger.

Posted by: Dotty at 03/21/09 4:31 AM  | Reply
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Billy Corgan is the next Brett Favre.

Posted by: jessica marie. profile link at 03/21/09 11:05 AM  | Reply
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I do not understand your sports reference.

Posted by: william  in reply to jessica marie.'s comment at 03/21/09 1:43 PM  | Reply
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That's Ryan Adams. Billy is more of a Ty Cobb in that he was once awesome but becomes a prick the more you get to know him.

Posted by: megaindiedouche  in reply to jessica marie.'s comment at 03/21/09 2:38 PM  | Reply
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sorry i meant to thumbs up your comment, but my mouse freaked out and hit the thumbs down. long story short: funny comment :)

Posted by: m  in reply to jessica marie.'s comment at 03/22/09 12:44 PM  | Reply
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Billy Corgan is a vampire...sent to drain

Posted by: Bob Dylan's Dream at 03/21/09 1:41 PM  | Reply
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Nice little death joke there from Stereogum

Posted by: Henry Treble profile link at 03/21/09 2:18 PM  | Reply
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First of all, I do agree with everyone. Corgan's a dick, he's embarrassed himself and anyone who loves the Pumpkins.

And at this point, I dont think he can go any lower, he may as well try to make a pumpkins record, even though i think he shouldnt. but honestly, he cant go any lower.

BUT... let's not forget, Billy did write Mellon Collie and Siamese Dream.. anyone who does that deserves some credit.

Posted by: David at 03/21/09 9:08 PM  | Reply
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Over the last two years I have seen Billy Corgan for the jerk he really is. What has topped it all off, are, his totally discusting comments at shows!! I feel like throwing up everytime i think about the things he has said to fans. Yes, some long time nineties fans may have been insulting too, in recient times, but I think its a sign that Billy Corgan needs to sort out his life, his head and his personal life. I'm only saying this because once apon a time I used to care.

Posted by: Someone at 03/22/09 12:26 AM  | Reply
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I'm gonna "thumbs down" this soley because it doesnt make any sense. I'm against being a stickler for grammar on the net, but you needed to give that one a second pass.
That said, I agree with what I THINK you are trying to say.

Posted by: FlimFlam  in reply to Someone's comment at 03/23/09 9:49 AM  | Reply
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meh. I only ever liked Gish, and 'Drown from the Singles soundtrack. everything after that bored me. this 'development' i could care less about. Corgan is one of those people who is very prolific but has bad taste in his own music, which has gotten worse the larger his ego has gotten. he had good instincts in the first place, but bought too much into his own hype.

Posted by: onceler at 03/22/09 12:34 AM  | Reply
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Chamberlain's album has been the only tolerable solo effort from anybody in that band.

Posted by: Torc at 03/22/09 4:05 PM  | Reply
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Oh yeah, this post reminds me of something... It reminds me that the Smashing Pumpkins never needed this sorry excuse for a "drummer" in the first place. Yeah, I said it.

Posted by: mur profile link at 03/22/09 9:16 PM  | Reply
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Sorry excuse for a drummer? Are you f'in kidding me?

Posted by: Lonnie Pigford  in reply to mur's comment at 03/23/09 2:43 AM  | Reply
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dude can pound the skins with the best of them. a ferocious, creative, technically-impressive monster of percussion. dig up some old live videos of them blazing through "geek u.s.a." and watch him rip. the only question is how a heroin addict (at their peak) could keep the beats so tight...

Posted by: C. Science  in reply to mur's comment at 03/23/09 10:04 AM  | Reply
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Agreed. Chamberlin is one of the best drummers in rock music, or at least one of the best to emerge from the late-'80s/early-'90s alt-rock scene. He's right up there with Dave Grohl and Josh Freese.

Posted by: Johnnyboy  in reply to C. Science's comment at 03/23/09 2:12 PM  | Reply
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it's always been a dream of mine to have steve albini record jimmy playing drums - something that, despite them all being from chicago, probably never happened because billy is a douche.

but can you imagine jimmy bashing away with albini on production? it would sound unreal.

Posted by: C. Science  in reply to Johnnyboy's comment at 03/23/09 3:48 PM  | Reply
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I pity the foo. All you foos are talkin' like ya know Mr.Corgan personally,but ya don't. So quit yo shit talkin' and sit back and watch what happens mothafucka!

-Mr.T

P.S. I pity everyone of ya haters.

Posted by: Mr.T at 03/22/09 10:16 PM  | Reply
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This just in...Billy Corgan has quit The Smashing Pumpkins, too. The band will carry on with the members of REO Speedwagon taking their place. Corgan plans on devoting more time to his political career in the Republican Party.

In other news, the Republican Party has called it quits......

Posted by: radio zero at 03/23/09 12:44 PM  | Reply
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Makes you wonder if Jim was faking it in the recent interviews/press those two have done together, where it honestly looks like he's in pain when he's trying to support Billy's insane antics. I really look forward to hearing both sides of this story

Posted by: the red feather at 03/23/09 3:46 PM  | Reply
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You people seriously suck. How do you call billy a dick and a jerk, etc. You people make me sick. You arent true pumpkins fans at all. Hes prolly been under alot of pressure latey i dont know. But it does suck jimmy left, but we'll see what happens because if billy thinks he can still make music, there must be something behind that.

I am one as you are three, dumbass

Posted by: Niki at 03/23/09 4:38 PM  | Reply
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cherub rock = air guitar awesomeness.

say what you want about everything after, but this is fucking rock and roll. i dare you not to completely lose your shit.

Posted by: anamal profile link at 03/23/09 9:35 PM  | Reply
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of course it could have nothing to do with the fact that jimmy has had health problems in the recent past? last year they had to cancel 2 of their biggest concerts in atlanta and other places and postpone them til later due to jimmy having heart problems.

and for all the kiddies who just discovered SP and want to talk all back-in-the-day-like, billy corgan is the heart and soul of SP, granted not having all the original members is a drag but in all honesty, just because jimmy and billy are working together doesn't mean much.. *cough*ZWAN*cough*..

Posted by: le sigh at 03/24/09 12:17 PM  | Reply
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is that mystery in the background?

Posted by: mansy at 03/24/09 5:36 PM  | Reply
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One original member and he's still going to use the name Smashing Pumpkins? Billy and "The Smashing Pumpkins" should tour with Guns & Roses.

Posted by: spacefreaki5 profile link at 03/24/09 6:12 PM  | Reply
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How are you going to fucking dis my comment. You guy really dont have any heart do you?
If you looked at this article you gave to fucking care a little. So quit writing your negative comments being the assholes you are because you're making things worse.

Posted by: Niki at 03/24/09 11:14 PM  | Reply
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^
Bitch is ca-razy!

Posted by: Lonnie Pigford  in reply to Niki's comment at 03/24/09 11:52 PM  | Reply
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1.) Billy Corgan smokes turds.
2.)the rest of Smashing Pumpkins should regroup, as SP, with David Lee Roth singing.
3.)who gives a shit?

Posted by: your dad at 03/25/09 12:58 AM  | Reply
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still recording as smashing pumpkins......? why. give it up dude its about that time. how you will find a drummer to fit the sp sound i do not know.

Posted by: joe-cool at 03/25/09 5:25 PM  | Reply
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Who is this Matt Smith that is being thrown around as Chamberlin's temp replacement?

Posted by: roscoe at 03/25/09 6:47 PM  | Reply
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Who's this Matt Smith that's being mentioned as a temp replacement?

Posted by: roscoe at 03/25/09 6:51 PM  | Reply
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Oh no. oh no oh no oh no oh no.... dammit what happened now

Posted by: BucketCaleb at 03/26/09 11:38 AM  | Reply
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Oh no. oh no oh no oh no oh no.... dammit what happened now

Posted by: BucketCaleb at 03/26/09 11:38 AM  | Reply
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From the drummer's mouth:
http://jimmychamberlincomplex.com/blog/?p=36

Posted by: nandorocker profile link at 03/26/09 2:51 PM  | Reply
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i hate whenever people say "If you hate XYZ band, then why are you even reading/commenting on this story?"

You mean you've never read up on a headline even if it was for a band you don't like? CURIOSITY is what it's called.

Now get off your high horse.

also, yes, Billy Corgan is the heart of SP, but he also happened to make MUCH BETTER music when he was with the original band members.....

Posted by: john at 03/26/09 4:04 PM  | Reply
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Billy Corgan is the next Bobby Knight

Posted by: The greatest human at 03/26/09 4:41 PM  | Reply
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I wish the guy from Wheatus would give his opinion on this matter.

Posted by: Dustin G profile link at 03/26/09 8:03 PM  | Reply
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I hope Animal Collective covers Gish in its entirety

Posted by: Danny at 03/29/09 12:00 AM  | Reply
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It sucks, and Billy is an arrogant asshole; but he's incredibly talented and intelligent so I think that pretty much gives him a license to do whatever the fuck he wants. If I had half his talent I'd be an arrogant prick, too! Why not?

He said something ages ago about how The Smashing Pumpkins weren't a group of friends that got together to make music. He basically recruited people he thought could help play his music. It sucks that Jimmy is leaving, but it will always be Billy's band, and Billy's music, no matter what label Billy chooses to put on it. Band's evolve. Some bands can keep the same line up for years and still end up sucking and changing. So I disagree that the band was better with D'arcy and Iha, and of course Jimmy. They were different, but I don't think they were necessarily better. I actually liked the Adore and Machina years. And I like the Zeitgeist sound, too. It's not the same as Mellon Collie, but if they were to stick to the same sound you whiny bitches would be complaining that they never put out anything original, either. I wish Jimmy the best of the best in the future and I can't wait to see what The Smashing Pumpkins and Billy put out next!

Posted by: Torchy at 04/01/09 10:15 AM  | Reply
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