Azzerad, M. (1993, October 14). Smashing Pumpkins’ Sudden Impact. Rolling Stone Magazine, pp. 19-20.

Typical of most alternative bands, the Smashing Pumpkins couldn’t care less what their peers in the music industry think of their music. Billy Corgan, lead singer, says he is like a fugitive running from the independent rock community.

Ironically, although Corgan claims he does not care what other musicians think, he states that he was paralyzed between the tag of being the next Nirvana and pleasing the independent rockers. He cared so much about what others thought that he "lost the ability to function."

Later in the article Corgan states, "It seems like we never do anything right in terms of what’s hip. And I don’t care." Boasting his individuality he says, "This album was a really strong affirmation to myself: ‘F--- you, I don’t care. I’m going to do this.’ The funny part about it is it’s working. Which says to me, ‘I should have trusted in myself all along."

It seems that what Corgan and the rest of the Pumpkins desire is to be alternative—against the flow. This same attitude is flaunted by Nirvana and Pearl Jam. The Pumpkins want to communicate the message that they will do whatever they please, however they please.

SMASHING PUMPKINS IS A DYSFUNCTIONAL BAND

All members of the band admit that they do not get along with each other. "When the Pumpkins began rehearsing for the next album, they’d virtually forgotten how to get along." James Iha, the lead guitarist says, "Familiarity really does breed contempt." (He states this while eating dinner with two of the band members.)

D’Arcy, the bassist, admits that the band is dysfunctional. Speaking about the rest of the band, Corgan says, "It’s this volatile thing where they could explode at any minute...Every aspect is so f---ed."

Corgan also admits to having been suicidal. When he wrote "Today," the second single from the album, "Siamese Dream," he states, "I was really suicidal. I just thought it was funny to write a song that said today is the greatest day of your life because it can’t get any worse."

Jimmy Chamberlin, the band’s drummer, also battled drug abuse. While the Pumpkins were under time pressure to record "Siamese Dream," he would often show up too wasted to play, and he would disappear for days.

STYLE OF MUSIC

Smashing Pumpkins has been able to capture the alienation and, crucially, the melancholia of youth and even older adults.

The anxious lyrics reflect the youthful questioning and search for self-identity that underlies so much of the music. It is also characterized by intense switches between peak adrenaline and captivating introspection.

Interestingly, even during the tender confessional songs in concert, the crazed teen mosh pits are as wild as ever.

Corgan claims that the purpose of the group’s music is "Musically, to overwhelm the senses. So when you came to see us play we were going to kick your a--."

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Do you consider Smashing Pumpkins to be an average type of band?
2. Do you consider them to be average for an alternative/grunge band?
3. Do you think that the Pumpkins’ values emerge through their music?
4. Do you think they intentionally lead kids astray?
5. Why do you think that the Pumpkins make their music so emotional and sometimes angry?
6. How can this type of music affect a child who is living through his/her parents’ divorce?

IMPLICATIONS

1. Whether a band intends to lead kids astray or not, their actions are influential.
2. This alternative/grunge style appeals to a large population of teenagers today. The emotional style of music can easily make a teenager a loyal fan quickly.
3. Discernment of music is an important lesson that youth workers can teach kids.