6/16/15

My summer of spontaneous concert opportunitues continues to shock and amaze me - tonight I get to hear the reincarnated works of the Smashing Pumpkins, and assess once and for all how I really feel about Billy Corgan.

I'm no superfan, though my heart breaks every time I hear "Disarm" and "Today" is one of my go-to morning commute jams. I remember first listening to Mellon Collie when I was a sophomore or junior in high school, maybe, intimidated by its epic reputation and wondering if I was going to "get it" the way I was supposed to as a concept album (one that will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this October). I was pretty enthralled, intrigued by the thundering, aggressive beauty that seemed so much harsher and also darker, than my pop punk interests. I latched onto "Siamese Dream" shortly after, and thus began a lasting respect for one of modern rock music' most enduring acts.

The tour is billed as electro-acoustic. I'm expecting to hear new songs, as they're promoting a recent release that so far seems O.K. I'm crossing my fingers for the stripped-down classics, which remain relevant and real and moving, no matter the decade or circumstance.

"Mother weep the years I'm missing
All our time can't be given back
Shut my mouth and strike the demons
That cursed you and your reasons
Out of hand and out of season
Out of love and out of feeling so bad."
~Mayonaise
Smashing Pumpkins, Siamese Dream