Where Boys Fear to Tread

Exactly 50 years ago today, the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, which resulted in the British Invasion of America and the makings of one of the greatest bands of all time.    As I sit here watching a televised tribute to the Fab Four, which includes a mini-Reunion of sorts with the two sole surviving members - Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr - I can't help but reflect on one of the most influential bands on me growing up -  the Smashing Pumpkins - and a "Reunion" of sorts that I watched several years ago.

The Smashing Pumpkins live at Massey Hall

The first and only time I saw the Smashing Pumpkins play was on July 2, 1996 at Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo.  Not only was it my first time going to a stadium rock concert, but it would eventually become one of the last few gigs featuring the original line up.  Jimmy Chamberlain would be kicked out of the band two weeks later following his involvement in the accidental drug related death of their touring keyboardist.  The band would briefly reunite a few years later before disbanding in 2000.

Billy Corgan addressing the audience at Massey Hall

The Pumpkins of old were about angst, loneliness, and complexity. Their music allowed me to escape my feelings of insecurity, teenage anguish, and self-doubt. It was their music that made me realize that I was not alone; that there are many others out there – young and old alike - confused and puzzled by the way society tries to pressure us into conformity.

The Smashing Pumpkins' 20th Anniversary Tour

The Pumpkins I saw that Monday night in November 2008 were almost the exact opposite. Billy is now more of a peaceful, loving man who’s a lot calmer and mature, and Jimmy is a lot more focused and relaxed with his music since kicking his drug habit years ago. And I still don’t know who the other two members are. This wasn't the same band I listened to back in high school, but I wasn't dismayed by this, either. In fact, I’m glad I went to see them play.

The Smashing Pumpkins' 20th Anniversary Tour

While the success of the band will never reach the levels of the Mellon Collie days, it was nice to see the band happier with themselves and with each other. They were just about having fun and playing the music they wanted to play. Songs on the set list went as far back as Gish when they played Siva a few songs into their gig. And listening to the audience belt out the lyrics to Today was another highlight of the night. The Pumpkins say they’re going to go on forever, but who really knows? They could end tomorrow. They could end ten years from now.  I'm just glad I got to be 15 again even if it were for only a few brief hours.