Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins have been a major influence on Your Scarecrows sound and approach to songwriting. Here's a brief history and some recommended listening.

Band History

The smashing pumpkins were one of the biggest rock bands to come out of the nineties. They originated from chicago and although they found commercial success around the same time as Grunge they were never lumped in with the grunge scene. Their music came mainly from band leader Billy Corgan who as well as having a prolific songwriting ability was also a bit of a control freak. During the recording of the pumpkins first mainstream hit Siamese Dream Billy would re-record some of his band mates efforts that day. The way he saw it , it was there big chance so there was no way they were going to fuck it up for him. After Siamese Dream they released Mellon collie and the infinite sadness which was a double album with 28 songs on it. Billy Corgan had previously been labeled with the term genious and this was proof of it.

The Pumpkins split up in 2000 after their album Machina was poorly received. Its a cracking album though. They reformed in 2006. The pumpkins problem with the press is that they are constantly judged against their previous rock work even when their new work doesn't resemble their past albums.

Album Highlights

Machina, Adore, Mellon collie and thee infinite sadness

Band Members

Vocals/ Guitar - Billy Corgan
Drums - Jimmy Chamberlain