The World is a Vampire, Thirty-Three & ATUM
What is a Vampire? Who is Shiny? Who were Zero & Glass? Should you care?
What does it mean? The World is a Vampire.
What does it mean? The World is a Vampire.
Urban dictionary says “when an event or circumstance reminds you of how stupid, evil or unfair humanity is”.
Looking back at the history of The Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan’s desire to create, and weighing public perception of him, one might say that the world has been a vampire to Billy and the Pumpkins. And maybe Billy to himself.
I admit that my perception of Billy was colored by past negative media attention, but when I listen to their music and the new podcast, I don’t get bad vibes.
My whole reflection of Billy Corgan and The Smashing Pumpkins changed after experiencing The World is a Vampire Tour in Bend Oregon August 6, 2023. Why? Their performance was so great that it made me fall in love with SP all over again.
Billy Corgan and James Iha, The World is a Vampire Tour
I’ve discovered a new podcast Thirty-Three with William Patrick Corgan A rare and insightful deep dive into the musical world of The Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan; with a keen focus on the inspiration behind the singer’s most iconic work and his newest, a three-act rock opera album.
#WPCThirtyThree
““I personally believe, this is my own spiritual belief, that everybody is important. Every person on this planet is important and I don’t mean some are more than important than others, I mean every person is equally important. Every person has a destiny to play and every person can change the world in the blink of an eye. Anybody can reach a point of illumination at any time and if they do can change the world.”
“My personal belief - and this is at the heart of the lyrical nature of almost everything I write - but particularly as seen here; the idea is that if you grab your destiny by the horns, whatever it is, you can change the world. You do have the power to change and affect everybody on this particular planet and possibly the whole universe in a positive way.””
There’s more to The Smashing Pumpkins than meets the eye, like the stories embedded into their music and their name. I’ve always thought of SP as the thing you do after Halloween, breaking pumpkins. The adjective would describe “wonderful pumpkins”. This is just a hint of the artistic injections into SP.
Shout out to American Songwriter for this newfound insight.
The band and music of The Smashing Pumpkins reminds me of years gone by. I’ve grown up with the pumpkins, so their music takes me back to times and places long ago.
Memories: Today
I was fifteen when Siamese Dream dropped which was a Billboard Top Ten album, along with The Tea Party Splendor Solis and Pearl Jam Ten. Ray was friends with Jamie who was in the Ten Club and introduced me to Crazy Mary on a 45 and Winter Solstice. This was the birth of a rock star within me and certainly why I love rock, alternative and grunge to this day. I was 16 driving in my first car passing a KFC when Today came on the radio, 101.1 WRIF.
I remember that exact moment, that day, the people with me, Julie, and the choice to believe Today is the greatest day I’ve ever known. 1994 was one of my favorite years ever.
If you were at the tour, you want more SP. I’m delving into Atum (pronounced Autumn).
Buy the Vinyl
Buy the Vinyl
Atum (pronounced Autumn) on Vinyl, Acts 1, 2, & 3
ATUM on vinyl playing on a Rega P1 turntable
There are three important elements to ATUM: A Rock Opera is Three Acts.
The Music Listen here
The Story, ATUM Story Recap, click here
Shiny -Billy-, June, Osiris, Nighthawk, Dr. Aesh, the XI, Ruby and AI.
The Song Lyrics ATUM Lyrics
When you put the story together, listen to how the music associates with it, and hear the lyrics, a whole new appreciation is found in ATUM.
Band and Album History of The Smashing Pumpkins.
Band and Album History of The Smashing Pumpkins.
Band members and Albums of SP from 1988 to 2010
Band members and Albums of SP from 2011 to 2023
I recently learned on Thirty-Three Ep.9 that Zeitgeist was removed by Billy Corgan as the birthing and ending of an artform. Lady Liberty has sunk.
From left-to-right, on the bass Jack Bates, up front Billy Corgan, behind the drums Jimmy Chamberlin, on the guitar James Iha, back up vocals Katie Cole
“We’re all connected, everybody’s kind of the same and if you are a human well then you have to figure out what your divinity is, and then in return how to share that divinity with others, which in turn is really what becoming a star is about.
Being a star is figuring out your best self and sharing your best self with others and I would encourage everybody to do that. I don’t think you have to be a musician to be a star. I meet nurses who are stars, I meet police officers who are stars, I meet bakers who are stars, they just want to share their love for the thing that they love with everybody else. A star literally means to shine, like the sun on others. ”
Go Deeper into the old stuff 3:AM Magazine
