Before Billy Corgan shaved his head and started played football stadiums, the Smashing Pumpkins were one the most original and creative bands to come out in the early 90's. I'll go on a limb and say they WERE the best from 1990-1995. I'll never forget seeing them in a tiny, ridiculously oversold club in Chicago the week "Siamese Dream" was released. After the first song it was clear they were already too big for the room. Money, fame, egos, and infighting eventually killed The Pumpkins for good which is a shame. I still hope that Billy Corgan has more great work ahead of him, and time will tell if the just begun 44 song project "Teargarden for Kaleidyscope" will have some of the magic of the old stuff.

Surfing the net, I found this amazing acoustic gig from 1993 that really shows how great their songs were even when totally stripped down. I may even like these versions as much as their loud and bombastic originals.

Listen to this if your a Pumpkins fan, or if you need a reminder of why you should be....



London, England-Raymond Revue Bar
July 4, 1993

01. Intro - 2:58
02. Rocket - 4:41
03. Cherub Rock - 5:18
04. Rhinoceros - 5:04
05. Today - 3:47
06. Spaceboy - 4:02
07. Siva - 6:32
08. Dancin' in the Moonlight [Thin Lizzy] - 4:09
09. Disarm - 4:36
10. Starla - 6:17
11. Outshined [Soundgarden] (tease) - 1:05
12. Suffer - 7:12
13. Hummer - 7:42
14. Drown - 4:35
15. banter - 1:27
16. Kooks [Bowie] - 3:18
17. Smiley - 4:10
18. Bye June - 1:17
19. banter - 4:00
20. Crush - 5:16