Truth: Billy Loves Greenbeans. And he loves you, too.
For all practical purposes, I grew up in Chicago. My acquired accent is clearly Chicago, so much so, that folks always ask or assume I am a true Chicagoan. I spent a decade in that wonderous town, and just in the nick of time. I caught Chicago in one of it's more recent musical upswings, and when I was landing (actually I drove there) in Chicago -- a little band called The Smashing Pumpkins was about to take-off and sell 500,000 copies of it's very first little record. The town was abuzz in music industry mogul sightings (however, Thom Yorke was not spotted) and much was going on... we had Liz Phair playing Heartland Cafe, Wicker Park rejuvenating into a better dumpier place (for music), Urge Overkill, and a few years later -- we had those wonderful Seether girls, mmmmh, yum. Jesus Lizard, Ministry, Material Issue, the list from 90's Chicago goes on and on...
There are few things I truly know, like as in know in my heart, like layered in between my layers of musical and human flesh. One of those things is the truth that inspired and still inspires Billy and Jimmy of The Pumpkins. Not only are they in it to write songs, be musicians, and stick with it over all these years for the same very reasons that got them into it in the first place. What I know is that they really love you. Through drugs and drink, and deaths. They re-dedicate themselves to a true higher calling and purpose to create and play and serve you great music. They never left little-town Chicago really, as the band never really left.
2007 saw them re-assert themselves as musicians in Smashing Pumpkins and to record great records for another 20 years. They evolve and grow and really have always put it out there - that is their hearts to anyone who bothered to listen and/or care. In this, through the years, and recounting how they were back then, this has been not for their own commercial gain or to be great innovators or have a relationship based on music industry secrets. Nor, otherwise create something that would allow tricks to be played on those they adore and love, as you do them. For that would never suffice as a relationship or partnership Billy in particular would stand for or see the point in having.
And, when you see the light, it is easier to see the light of someone else.
Here is what Billy wrote over the Holidays:
Portions reprinted via Billy Corrigan's Blog... Go read it or read below ;-)
December 18, 2007 - Dear Big Bright Lights in the Night Sky...
Since the holidays are upon us, the collective I would like to take this opportunity to give gratitude where it is due, and that is to those that are not hypnotized, or so numbed by darkness that they cannot hear the chime in my words...I wish you a warm holiday and a brilliant New Year to come, and may you get all you deserve! (again) From my heart to yours, sincerely, I hope you feel the love that we have for all of you, even for those of you who are lost and seeking, bruised and still keeping...i hope these words find you as well...
The new day has finally come as we turn the corner on the end of one energy that no longer serves us and begin to embrace the new dawn that will...and no, I am not speaking about the band or the music business...what is past is passed, and we all wear the black arm bands in honor of, but life happily, as it should, marches on...hopefully to a good beat...
Thanks to New Orleans for showing Us the meaning of hope...and thanks to the old guard for showing the same dull move, you know the one that never works? Art band that said old guard wishes they were in so bad that they wish importance upon it? Check! No matter what you crutches all dream up, Led Zep is still a 100 times better! Go Zep! Go Team! Rock on! Long Live the Mighty SP!
And...
Thank YOU for showing up! And yes, I mean YOU :)
lovingness, happiness, BC
For all practical purposes, I grew up in Chicago. My acquired accent is clearly Chicago, so much so, that folks always ask or assume I am a true Chicagoan. I spent a decade in that wonderous town, and just in the nick of time. I caught Chicago in one of it's more recent musical upswings, and when I was landing (actually I drove there) in Chicago -- a little band called The Smashing Pumpkins was about to take-off and sell 500,000 copies of it's very first little record. The town was abuzz in music industry mogul sightings (however, Thom Yorke was not spotted) and much was going on... we had Liz Phair playing Heartland Cafe, Wicker Park rejuvenating into a better dumpier place (for music), Urge Overkill, and a few years later -- we had those wonderful Seether girls, mmmmh, yum. Jesus Lizard, Ministry, Material Issue, the list from 90's Chicago goes on and on...
There are few things I truly know, like as in know in my heart, like layered in between my layers of musical and human flesh. One of those things is the truth that inspired and still inspires Billy and Jimmy of The Pumpkins. Not only are they in it to write songs, be musicians, and stick with it over all these years for the same very reasons that got them into it in the first place. What I know is that they really love you. Through drugs and drink, and deaths. They re-dedicate themselves to a true higher calling and purpose to create and play and serve you great music. They never left little-town Chicago really, as the band never really left.
2007 saw them re-assert themselves as musicians in Smashing Pumpkins and to record great records for another 20 years. They evolve and grow and really have always put it out there - that is their hearts to anyone who bothered to listen and/or care. In this, through the years, and recounting how they were back then, this has been not for their own commercial gain or to be great innovators or have a relationship based on music industry secrets. Nor, otherwise create something that would allow tricks to be played on those they adore and love, as you do them. For that would never suffice as a relationship or partnership Billy in particular would stand for or see the point in having.
And, when you see the light, it is easier to see the light of someone else.
Here is what Billy wrote over the Holidays:
Portions reprinted via Billy Corrigan's Blog... Go read it or read below ;-)
December 18, 2007 - Dear Big Bright Lights in the Night Sky...
Since the holidays are upon us, the collective I would like to take this opportunity to give gratitude where it is due, and that is to those that are not hypnotized, or so numbed by darkness that they cannot hear the chime in my words...I wish you a warm holiday and a brilliant New Year to come, and may you get all you deserve! (again) From my heart to yours, sincerely, I hope you feel the love that we have for all of you, even for those of you who are lost and seeking, bruised and still keeping...i hope these words find you as well...
The new day has finally come as we turn the corner on the end of one energy that no longer serves us and begin to embrace the new dawn that will...and no, I am not speaking about the band or the music business...what is past is passed, and we all wear the black arm bands in honor of, but life happily, as it should, marches on...hopefully to a good beat...
Thanks to New Orleans for showing Us the meaning of hope...and thanks to the old guard for showing the same dull move, you know the one that never works? Art band that said old guard wishes they were in so bad that they wish importance upon it? Check! No matter what you crutches all dream up, Led Zep is still a 100 times better! Go Zep! Go Team! Rock on! Long Live the Mighty SP!
And...
Thank YOU for showing up! And yes, I mean YOU :)
lovingness, happiness, BC
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