SPECIAL: Smashing Pumpkins NEW Album, Billy Corgan's NEW website

Yeah, boy!!!

Billy Corgan, *dreamy sigh* just announced that the new Smashing Pumpkins album "Teargarden by Kaleidyscope" will be available to the public..for FREE!!!

Really?!!

YES! REALLY!!!

Billy clarifies it on the official website:

Each song will be made available absolutely for free, to anyone anywhere. There will be no strings attached. Free will mean free, which means you won't have to sign up for anything, give an email address, or jump through a hoop. You will be able to go and take the song or songs as you wish, as many times as you wish.

The 44 song album began recording on 09/15/2009. I can't wait to start listening...

Click HERE for full official announcement.

**AND IN RELATED NEWS**

Mr. William Patrick Corgan, *again, insert dreamy sigh* has a new site up called Everything From Here to There. The site is actually rather spiritual and introspective, and is best described by Billy himself:

The purpose of this website is to discuss openly and without fear concepts of Mind-Body-Soul integration. If you are drawn to the Hidden Truths, drawn to God as something beyond limitation, and drawn to Love as the greatest force in the Universe, then you have come to the right place at the right time. This is a place of Love.

Check it out at: www.everythingfromheretothere.com

SPECIAL: How Music Sustains Me

I know... it's been awhile hasn't it?

I promise I haven't forgotten. Just been overwhelmed. I've been running on autopilot for the most part, trying to make sense of all the chaos that has flooded my days lately. I had to take a break from the pieces I was working on, but hope to get them up soon. So, apologies for not having anything new in awhile.

In the past couple of weeks, there have been 3 losses in my life. One relative in TX and two people I know here in GA.

Among all the other chaos, these recent losses have made it particularly rough and emotionally draining.

So, yeah... I could really use a good punk or rock show to go to tonight. *sigh* God, how I love to jump around and scream with a bunch of sweaty people without a care in the world. Seriously. There's nothing better for some major stress relieving, I tell ya.

Well, I thought it would be therapeutic to write a bit about how music has helped me during these difficult times. Especially since the chances of me jumping around a mosh pit anytime soon are pretty unlikely.

Anyways... Music is life. I know, that totally sounds like some bumper sticker on the back of a band's van. But seriously... it is. It can evoke emotion and get your blood pumping. The feel of it coursing through my veins is so much that I sometimes take the experience for granted. Lately, my loaded ipod, with it's diverse playlist, have helped to sustain and give me much needed strength.

Sometimes the music comforts me, reminds me I'm not alone. Sometimes, it's my sidekick screaming with me out loud, the tension that needs to cut loose. And then there's the music that takes me places where I can escape from the daunting challenges of some harsh realities, and go to worlds of magic and inspiration. Whatever I'm feeling, there's music there to keep me company.

My current playlist is incredibly long. So, I'll just list the artists who have been in heavy rotation for the past 2 weeks. Their music, their voices, in their own way keeping me going. Thank you. All of you for the breath of life you give. Now, and always...

(Listed in no particular order, click on name to visit their websites.)

• Smashing Pumpkins
• Enemy You
• 46bliss
• Radiohead
• Travis
• Dare Dukes
• NIN
  
• Tatiana Kochkareva
• Chrissy Coughlin
• Aimee Mann
  
• Jeff Krantz
• Val Emmich

Remember to LIVE your life. You can stop on occasion to enjoy your surroundings, but don't stand still too long and let it pass you by. When I forget this, my music is there reminding me... inspiring me... and nudging me to get back on track. So here I am, coming out of autopilot and taking control again.

REALLY!?: Jimmy Leaves Smashing Pumpkins.

It's been just under two years since I watched Smashing Pumpkins reunite on stage in Asheville, NC. Since then, the band have been at it practically nonstop, with multiple tours, new albums, etc.

I've been enjoying the ride, always excited to hear the new stuff they come up with. Even with all the changes in bass players and guitarists, the Pumpkins have still held on to the magic that makes them so unique. That magic, coming largely in part from the incredible dynamic forces of Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin.

I'm sad to hear that Jimmy left the group. I believe that he has always been a crucial part of the band's music. So, I'm curious to see what happens without him. Who will they find to try to fill that drum kit? That's a big seat to fill. *sigh* Where will their music go?

I wish Jimmy all the best in his future pursuits, creatively and with life in general. He has surely set his place as a legendary musical talent, no other can compare to. As with the Pumpkins, I'm also curious to see what happens with Jimmy and where he goes from here.

Things may not always go the way we initally want them to, but sometimes there are unexpected surprises that we end up appreciating later on.

Life happens. People move on. Change is inevitable.

So, we'll just have to wait and see...

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS' BILLY CORGAN
ANNOUNCES THE DEPARTURE OF JIMMY CHAMBERLIN FROM THE GROUP

CORGAN SET TO HEAD INTO THE STUDIO TO CREATE
NEW SMASHING PUMPKINS MUSIC

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.

Click HERE for the official announcement and other fans' reaction on the official Smashing Pumpkins website.

JIMMY CHAMBERLIN RESPONDS...

"By now you have heard the news of my departure from the Smashing Pumpkins. I will say, without going into any unnecessary details that this represents a positive move forward for me..."

Click HERE for Jimmy Chamberlin's full explanation of why he left the band.

LIST: 10 Songs To Listen To - 03.20.09

Click on song titles to hear samples.

Love 'em like I do? Add them to your music collection.

10 Songs To Listen To (listed in no particular order)

Clara Bellino - Something Cool
Gin Wigmore - These Roses
Val Emmich - Get On With It
46bliss - 8 o'clock Train (PKP Express Mix)
Katie Herzig - Wish You Well
Astronauts of Antiquity - Love Is A Mantra (Dub Remix)
Wild Light - California On My Mind
Comandante Zero - Enter The Rain
The Bittersweets - My Sweet Love
Smashing Pumpkins - G.L.O.W.

SPECIAL: Mike White

I thought I'd do a special post here, on the talents of Mike White. No, he's not a musician or in a band. But, he's definitely someone artists love to have around! And he's a 'rockstar' in my book. ;-)

Along with my love for music, is a love for photography. The work of Anton Corbijn and Patrick Rafanan have been my absolute favorites, though there are several others whose work I also admire. And now, Mike finishes up my top 3.

Mike is an incredible photographer out of Athens, GA whose specialty is in photographing concerts/live music. His talent is beyond description. I've been admiring his work for awhile, and in recent months have been fortunate to meet and get to know him. Awesome guy. Truly.

Talking with him at the Mass Solo Revolt show last Dec., it's easy to see that he loves what he does. And you've got to have that passion in addition to natural born talent, in order to be so good at capturing other artists doing what they love so passionately too! Mike's photography is so bad-ass, that I had a hard time deciding which ones to put up here. There were a lot of bands to choose from and so many great shots for each one!

In the end I had to pick images from a handful of my own favorite bands. I'll let the images speak for themselves.

Click on each of the photos to take you to galleries of more kick-ass images.

AC/DC| 12.16.08 | Atlanta, GA

Mass Solo Revolt | 12.14.08 | Athens, GA

Nine Inch Nails | 11.01.08 | Atlanta, GA

The Melvins | 08.18.08 | Athens, GA

Smashing Pumpkins | 11.07.07 | Athens, GA

Incredible, yeah? Umm. I say, Hell, yeah!

Now, go check out his full website at www.deadlydesigns.com. There is a massive portfolio of live concert photography to enjoy. Do it now! ;-)

Any bands, musicians etc. looking to have rockstar moments captured, should definitely get him behind the lens at their show.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE PROPERTY OF MIKE WHITE / DEADLYDESIGNS.COM AND SHOULD NOT BE USED WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION.

Thanks, Mike for letting me put these up here!

LIST: Music Makes For Great Gifts...

With the holidays here and Christmas fast approaching, I thought I'd help out and suggest some albums that would make for great gifts. These are albums (new and old) that I really enjoy. There's music from different genres, so hopefully there's a little something for everyone. Hope you agree...

(BTW... these are in no particular order, and like everything in this blog, is my own complete endorsement.)

1. Smashing Pumpkins - Any of their albums, I think would be a winner. I just LOVE this band. The end.
   
   
2. Radiohead - Anything by these guys. They are brilliant.
   
   
3. AA Bondy - American Hearts
   
   
4. Antje Duvekot - Snapshots
   
   
5. Augustana - Can't Love, Can't Hurt
   
   
6. The Brilliant Mistakes - Distant Drumming
   
   
7. Five A.M. - Raise The Sun
   
   
8. Val Emmich - Little Daggers
   
   
9. Matt Nathanson - Some Mad Hope
   
   
10. O.A.R. - All Sides
    
    
11. Emerson Hart - Cigarettes & Gasoline
    
    
12. Adele - 19
    
    
13. Kira Fontana - Inner Revolution
    
    
14. The Interiors - The Interiors
    
    
15. Mass Solo Revolt - Easy Mark
    
    
16. Aleksis Bilmanis - World Around
    
    
17. The Fray - How To Save A Life
    
    
18. Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
    
    
19. Leona Lewis - Spirit
    
    
20. Travis - Singles
    
    
21. The Kooks - Konk
    
    
22. The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing
    
    
23. Silversun Pickups - Carnavas
    
    
24. Christian Brown - When It's Perfect
    
    
25. Deftones - White Pony

And just because it's the holidays... My favorite Christmas album to suggest would be:

Any of the Harry Connick, Jr. Christmas albums.

Happy Holidays!

MARK IT: Smashing Pumpkins 20th Anniversary Tour Dates

Mark those calendars! Smashing Pumpkins are back on tour!

Wow. They're starting in one of my favorite venues on the West Coast. Damn, I wish I were back in Northern California! NOTHING in Georgia or even nearby, huh? OK. Well, at least there's the upcoming Gish tour. I really wanted to go to one of these Anniversary Tour Dates though. *sigh*

Well, you lucky ones (especially in CA, DC, NY, MA, & MO where you have multiple dates). Here are the current tour dates for Smashing Pumpkins. Rock out hard for me and those that won't be able to make one of the shows. I know you will.

I still love you, Billy Corgan!

Smashing Pumpkins rock!
Congratulations on 20 years!
Here's to more to come!

October 26, 2008 - Shoreline Amphitheatre
Mountain View, CA

November 01, 2008 - Playhouse Square Center - Palace Theater
Cleveland, OH

November 03, 2008 - Massey Hall
Toronto, Ontario

November 04, 2008 - Massey Hall
Toronto, Ontario

November 06, 2008 - United Palace Theatre
New York, NY

November 07, 2008 - United Palace Theatre
New York, NY

November 08, 2008 - Borgata Resort Spa and Casino Event Center
Atlantic City, NJ

November 11, 2008 - DAR Constitution Hall
Washington DC, Washingon DC

November 12, 2008 - DAR Constitution Hall
Washington DC, Washington DC

November 14, 2008 - Citi Wang Theatre
Boston, MA

November 15, 2008 - Citi Wang Theatre
Boston, MA

November 16, 2008 - Mohegan Sun Arena
Uncasville, CT

November 18, 2008 - Chicago Theatre
Chicago, IL

November 19, 2008 - Chicago Theatre
Chicago, IL

November 21, 2008 - Auditorium Theatre
Chicago, IL

November 22, 2008 - Auditorium Theatre
Chicago, IL

November 24, 2008 - Midland Theater
Kansas City, MO

November 25, 2008 - Midland Theater
Kansas City, MO

November 26, 2008 - Fox Theatre
St. Louis, MO

November 29, 2008 - Pearl
Las Vegas, NV

November 30, 2008 - IMAC Arena
San Diego, CA

December 02, 2008 - Gibson Amphitheatre
Universal City, CA

December 03, 2008 - Gibson Amphitheatre
Universal City, CA

HAPPY SMASHING PUMPKINS DAY!

Happy Smashing Pumpkins Day!

Awesome article on the background behind it. See link from the official website, below:

www.smashingpumpkins.com

*sings*

"Today is the greatest...day I've ever known..."

THE WAY MY LOVE IS: My 1 Year Smashing Pumpkins Anniversary

Smashing Pumpkins @ The Orange Peel

Show #6 of 9 - June 30, 2007

It was a year ago today, I was at the residency show in Asheville, NC, watching my Billy rock the stage with SP. In honor of the anniversary, I'm posting some goodies from the show. 'Cause, that's the way my love is... :-) So, along with, some photos...

The official set list of songs originally intended.
Courtesy of smashingpumpkins.com

Here is the list of the songs they performed, Sat. June 30, 2007.

First Set
01 - Intro
02 - Today
03 - Stand Inside Your Love
04 - 1979
05 - United States
06 - (Come On) Let's Go!
07 - Starla
- Hummer (abandoned)
08 - In My Body
09 - Hummer
10 - Kashmir [Led Zeppelin] (tease)
> Silverfuck
11 - Blue Skies Bring Tears
12 - Bullet With Butterfly Wings

Second Set
13 - If Only In A Dream
14 - To Sheila
15 - Cherub Rock (tease)
16 - Mama
17 - Cherub Rock (tease)
18 - The Everlasting Gaze (tease)
19 - Ava Adore (tease)
20 - Over The Hills And Far Away [Led Zeppelin] (tease)
21 - Day Tripper [Beatles] (tease)
22 - Sweet Leaf [Black Sabbath] (tease)
23 - Fly By Night [Rush] (tease)
24 - We Will Rock You [Queen] (tease)
25 - Misty Mountain Hop [Led Zeppelin] (tease)
26 - Smoke On The Water [Deep Purple] (tease)
27 - Gimme Shelter [Rolling Stones] (tease)
28 - Rock On [Essex] (tease)
29 - Zero
30 - Starz
31 - Fuck You (An Ode To No One)
32 - Tarantula
33 - Tonight, Tonight
34 - Drown
35 - Heavy Metal Machine
> White Rabbit [Jefferson Airplane] (tease)

First Encore
36 - Cherub Rock
37 - Untitled

Second Encore
38 - Gossamer
> 1969 (tease) [The Stooges]

And... click HERE for a site with music from the specific show I attended. During the 9 day residency, Smashing Pumpkins were kind enough to allow taping. So, thanks, SP! And thanks to the tapers who've uploaded their files to share! If you search through the site, you'll find there is music from all of the residency shows available.

Speaking of anniversaries, in case you are not already aware, Smashing Pumpkins will be celebrating their 20 year (has it been that long?) anniversary by playing select cities between August and September. Here's to hoping somewhere in Georgia is on that list!

Smashing Pumpkins!
Live on! Rock on!

OH MY GOD! Smashing Pumpkins to play 20th Anniversary Shows!

Official News From the Smashing Pumpkins website...

www.smashingpumpkins.com

To celebrate the band's 20th anniversary, The Smashing Pumpkins will be playing select U.S. cities in August and September of 2008.

No dates or cities have been announced but expect the band to revisit a few specific places that were missed during the last U.S. tour...

Oh, please let Athens, Atlanta, or my freakin' bedroom be on that list!

LIST: Woo Me Music

Some older songs, some newer ones. Some sweet songs, some dirtier ones. But all definite turn ons.

Listed in no particular order:

All I Need
Radiohead / In Rainbows
The way the song starts out and when Thom's voice comes in is so f***ing sexy it makes me crazy...

Lover's Waltz
AA Bondy / American Hearts
I love how this song makes me want to slow dance...

When She Loves You
Emerson Hart / Cigarettes and Gasoline
Wow...this could make a bitter person love again...

Angel
Massive Attack / Mezzanine
Simple lyrics, sexy beats. Enough said.

Your Ways
Jeff Krantz
The melody is so pretty...simple, sweet, makes me want to sway... I love, love, love Jeff's ways... :-)

Nobody Does It Better
Radiohead / Cover - Original by Carly Simon
Like Thom says just before he starts singing, it's the sexiest song ever written...but as much as I like Carly's version...I gotta say that Radiohead does it better.

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
Smashing Pumpkins / Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness: Dawn to Dusk
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

I Love You Anyways
Travis / Good Feeling
*sigh* I love the slowness of this song...

Come On Get Higher
Matt Nathanson / Some Mad Hope
mmm...this song is so mad hot.

No One's Gonna Love You
Band of Horses / Cease to Begin
Love the intro...it's kinda magical...

Closer
Nine Inch Nails / The Downward Spiral
Come on...you know that sexy beat as soon as it drops. And with lyrics that include "I want to f*** you like an animal"...Dirty hot.

Ava Adore
Smashing Pumpkins / Adore
In Billy 'I see dirty'...In Billy 'I count stars'...We must never be apart...

Zero
Smashing Pumpkins / Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness: Dawn to Dusk
I know, yet another SP song. Can't help it. Billy Corgan rocks my world... Yeah...'He's the one for me....he's all I really need, oh yeah...' ;)

I DIG: Billy Corgan

Photo by Me (Jen D. Rafanan)

I never tire of hearing Billy's voice and music.
Click on this link below and understand why.

I heart Billy Corgan.

MUSE: Million Watts of Sound Can't Compare

I took this photograph of Billy Corgan taking the stage at The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC. This is from show #6 of a 9 Day Residency that the Smashing Pumpkins played on June 30, 2007.

More photos can be found HERE.

You may be wondering why I'm starting off the first entry to this blog with an event that took place last year. Or then again, maybe you aren't.

Either way, it's because I just felt like it. Ha ha.

Really though, read on and learn why.

First off, Smashing Pumpkins has always been one of my favorite bands. I first heard "Drown" on the Singles movie soundtrack back in 1992, and wondered what they were about. Then Siamese Dream came out, and I fell in love with their sound. Ok...and with Billy Corgan.

Like now, I listened to all kinds of music back in high school. Even liked some R&B/Hip Hop "a la Babyface". It wasn't until the last couple years at St. Mary's, when I really listened to the music that is more along the lines of what I like today. I got into Nirvana, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam and Jane's Addiction.

But there was just something unexplainable in what Smashing Pumpkins did for me. Their sound was so unique and different, especially during the time. The lyrics, the melodies, the guitar solos, and Billy's hypnotic voice. Smashing Pumpkins rocked.

Over the years of different band members, I never made it to one of their shows. So, I was devastated when they broke up...kickin' myself that I never got to see them play.

Fast forward to 2007, when I learned that Billy & Jimmy Chamberlin, along with new members Jeff Schroeder, Lisa Harriton and Ginger Reyes were bringing the Pumpkins back. AND that they'd be playing a 9 day residency only a few hours away. I was DEFINITELY not going to miss them this time, and was ecstatic to get tickets for the show. Even if it was a bit of a road trip and I was going with my ex, who is actually an amazing guitarist and shares my love for SP's music.

I was pretty much in the front row so I had a really good view. It was a great show even if James Iha and D'Arcy Wretzky were no longer in the band. At least Jimmy was still on drums and of course...my, Billy was front and center, rockin' out. He is the main reason I fell in love with their music to begin with. *sigh* I can't help but find his voice so captivating.

I actually had tickets to see them again on Oct. 30 in Atlanta, but the show got canceled last minute and I couldn't make the rescheduled date. I WILL see them play again someday...

Ok, enough background on my love for Billy and SP. The first single off of Zeitgeist - their first album in almost 7 years - was "Tarantula." The lyrics are as follows:

I don't want to fight
Every single night
Everything I want is in your light.

You and me go there
To places I don't know to care
The spoils of all I got were left to scrounge.

Don't let me say this,
but you're no worse than me,
It's crazy.

We all are real, if real ever was, it's just because
We all feel, feel we've had enough,
I'm real, 'cause someone gave us sound.

I wanna be there when you're happy
I wanna love you when you're sad.

Can't stand the morning rain
Get out and take your place then
Can't stand the blazing sun
Then close your eyes you'll see
The angel die.

I don't want to be
Anything for these
A million watts of sound can't compare.

Come along you'll see the world
The pulse ripples, the crowd unfurls
The current starts to flow and they are on.

Oh it's a white hot soul they want,
sinful.

You're real, if real ever was, it's just because
We all are real, every living soul
Yes I'm real, 'cause someone gave us sound.

Don't break the oath
I want to love you when you're happy,
Don't break this oath
I want to be there when you're sad,
Please bring the pouring rain.

Beyond real, as real as any ghost,
It's easy now,
I'm real, in every living soul
God gave us.

Can't stand the blazing sun
Can't stand the morning rain
Get out and take your place again.

I don't want to be alone
I don't want to be alone
I don't want to be alone
Alone.

If it's a white hot soul they want
It's a black heart they'll get.

Obviously, the name of this particular entry and the whole blog itself, originates from the lyrics in this song.

Homage to a musical visionary.

PS ~ Billy...You can love me when I'm happy and you can be there when I'm sad. :) You can just HAVE me!