PUMPKINS PARIS, FIRST IMPRESSIONS

To be honest, I care less about the indie stores than I do the fans. Billy Corgan is not, in anyway, remotly related to anything vaguely indie rock. The guy's a rockstar, and has been almost from the get-go, so it's not like he has any allegiance or loyalty due to small retailers.

But you'd think he'd have a little more respect for his fans. After all, these are the people shelling out bucks to see his half-reunion. Oh well…maybe the original line-up didn't provide a retirement plan?

Originally posted by bnyced0:
I heart Billy Corgan unconditionally.

PS: Only giving you a hard time with the above, bnyced. Promise :D

I'm sure you'll be able to download the bonus tracks at blog sites. Bloc Party did the same for their last album and I got the bonus tracks online.

Originally posted by nkotb:
And you say he's not doing it for the money… :eek:

Pitchfork link

Originally posted by bnyced0:
The group of people that will even be cognizant of there being multiple versions, and then follow up by buying them is so phuckin small that the additional revenue by exploiting those knumbskulls will be minimal and I have to believe the number crunchers know that but this a vanity play more than anything else.

I don't know. Do you KNOW how few albums are being sold these days? The Queens of the Stone Age album debuted at No. 14 and only sold 52,000 copies.

One thousand SP fans who buy all four versions the opening week could mean the album debuting five, six spots higher.

If chart placing means anything to you in 2007.

And it probably does to Billy Corgan.

After all, he remembers the 70's and Cheap Trick.

Brian

P.S. I'm thinking "The Smashing Pumpkins" should go on Oprah, The Today Show and "America's Got Talent." They'd sell a LOT of CD's. And Billy Corgan isn't above any of those shows. I could even see him on Rachey Ray making something with sausage and feta cheese.

Originally posted by nkotb:
Bingo. Or at the very least allowed some sort of exclusive download from his website like Wilco do with their records. Oh well.

Originally posted by bearman:
If Billy really cared about the fans and not their almight dollar, he would have released those tracks for separate purchase on iTunes.

I think we're a little ahead of the facts here. I believe these extra tracks will be available on itunes and the only thing that sucks is that I cringe anytime I have buy something there. I love all things apple and it fuels a lot of discretionary spending, but I don't use MP3's or other loss formats on my Ipods so when I hear these (itunes store) substandard versions it grates my ears.

There's also a simple solution here, if you have more than one friend that is a pumpkins fan …preferably 3 others, you each buy a different version and trade the extra tracks. No additional CD's sold, and everyone has quality versions of the extra tracks. They will all likely buy the itunes versions in order to get the presale tickets, but to each his own. This isn't rocket science folks, maybe Billy didn't think his fans were as big a group of dumbasses as some other think.

Originally posted by Brian_Walalce:

Originally posted by bnyced0:
The group of people that will even be cognizant of there being multiple versions, and then follow up by buying them is so phuckin small that the additional revenue by exploiting those knumbskulls will be minimal and I have to believe the number crunchers know that but this a vanity play more than anything else.

I don't know. Do you KNOW how few albums are being sold these days? The Queens of the Stone Age album debuted at No. 14 and only sold 52,000 copies.

One thousand SP fans who buy all four versions the opening week could mean the album debuting five, six spots higher.

If chart placing means anything to you in 2007.

And it probably does to Billy Corgan.

After all, he remembers the 70's and Cheap Trick.

Brian

P.S. I'm thinking "The Smashing Pumpkins" should go on Oprah, The Today Show and "America's Got Talent." They'd sell a LOT of CD's. And Billy Corgan isn't above any of those shows. I could even see him on Rachey Ray making something with sausage and feta cheese.

It might make a difference in the charts, though I doubt it. But I don't think in $$$$ to his pockets. If they make more than a $1 an album sold I'd be shocked, on the other hand I bet they make more $$$ on the shirts they sell in Asheville and SF, then they make on albums sold July 10th. Am I crazy?

latest on the front page of TM: order zeitgeist via itunes, and get a secret code for presale tickets to their upcoming tour.

Originally posted by sweetcell:
latest on the front page of TM: order zeitgeist via itunes, and get a secret code for presale tickets to their upcoming tour.

No DC date (besides V fest), I guess? Anyone know?

Originally posted by nkotb:
Billy Corgan is not, in anyway, remotly related to anything vaguely indie rock.

hasn't he specifically said that he hates indie rock and aspires to be as corporate as possible? does anyone have that quote?

Originally posted by Hoya Paranoia:

Originally posted by nkotb:
Billy Corgan is not, in anyway, remotly related to anything vaguely indie rock.

hasn't he specifically said that he hates indie rock and aspires to be as corporate as possible? does anyone have that quote?

I tend to ignore what baldy has to say unless there are some power chords acccompanying it.

Originally posted by Darth Ed:
No DC date (besides V fest), I guess? Anyone know?

i would expect that *if* there was one, it's under gag order until after VFest - logical business move, one would want the SP fans to sign up for the festival and not hold out for an arena show. i'm not sure if IMP does this, but some promoters limit how soon a band can come back to play an area… maybe SP's VFest contract contains such a clause.

I'm heading out to SP in the morning for the next two shows. Will report back.

Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
I'm heading out to SP in the morning for the next two shows. Will report back.

^^
as am i!

Originally posted by distance:

Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
I'm heading out to SP in the morning for the next two shows. Will report back.

^^
as am i!

Be sure to pass on information about the vibe in the town, good/bad bars in the immediate area, unique merch, etc. I've been to Asheville a couple of times, but based on what I've read the entire scene is bonkers right now through 5 July. I'm only doing a fly by on Friday for one show but would still be interested in any quality info to reduce the learning curve for Smashville 2007.

F.Y.I. for those of you who are Smashing Pumpkins fans…

If you buy the new issue of Spin (with Amy Winehouse on the cover) you get a ten track CD of Smashing Pumpkins cover versions for free. I forget who the artists doing the covers are. One may be Panic! At The Disco. Or at least if you buy the magazine at Borders.

Brian

Originally posted by bnyced0:

Originally posted by distance:

Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
I'm heading out to SP in the morning for the next two shows. Will report back.

^^
as am i!

Be sure to pass on information about the vibe in the town, good/bad bars in the immediate area, unique merch, etc. I've been to Asheville a couple of times, but based on what I've read the entire scene is bonkers right now through 5 July. I'm only doing a fly by on Friday for one show but would still be interested in any quality info to reduce the learning curve for Smashville 2007.

Asheville is incredible. As a Chicago native, I couldn't figure out why they weren't doing the first shows back in the Windy City. But Asheville was top to bottom a great place with a great vibe. Lots of bars with great beers, live music everywhere, tons of art galleries and nice little restaurants. Check out the French Cafe for their coffee up the road. There is a bar right in the middle of the downtown stretch (can't remember the name) that has something like 70 beers on tap.

All in all, a great town.

And the Orange Peel was nothing short of amazing. They're handling 1000 people every night - will call only tickets - and managing their lines efficiently and effectively. Beer is cheap ($3.75!! for a Microbrew!!), as is water. The room is incredible, with great sound, and plenty of room to move. You don't feel as though the show is completely sold out, as there is plenty of space.

Top to bottom, a great, great concert experience. As far as clubs on that level, the only places I've been that are in the same league are the Metro in Chicago and the 9:30 Club. I'd encourage ANYONE who is debating trying to go down to these shows to go - they'll be unlike anything you've ever seen, and truly a great experience.

As far as unique merch? The Pumpkins teamed up with Drifter - a boutique t-shirt label that you can buy in Nordstrom - and are offering a show exclusive t-shirt for the Asheville residency that is pretty awesome. You can see it on the Drifter website. But it is expensive. Drifter t-shirts sell for about $55 retail anyway; the Pumpkins version was $50 on site. They also have a bunch of the regular tour shirts with the Zeitgeist logo, as well as lithographs and the flag with the new logo.

Trying to think of any other relevant points…feel free to ask if you want to know any more about the town. I stayed in a Red Roof Inn about 15 minutes from the venue, and it was cheap and easily accessible. No problems with parking anywhere either.

are offering a show exclusive t-shirt for the Asheville residency that is pretty awesome. You can see it on the Drifter website. But it is expensive. Drifter t-shirts sell for about $55 retail anyway; the Pumpkins version was $50 on site. They also have a bunch of the regular tour shirts with the Zeitgeist logo, as well as lithographs and the flag with the new logo.

[/qb]Thanks. Were the Drifter T's avail at the venue or just at a shop (Union clothing I think) in town? Did you go out after the show? And though you drove in, did there seem like there was much going on within walking distance of the venue?

Originally posted by sweetcell:

Originally posted by Darth Ed:
No DC date (besides V fest), I guess? Anyone know?

i would expect that *if* there was one, it's under gag order until after VFest - logical business move, one would want the SP fans to sign up for the festival and not hold out for an arena show. i'm not sure if IMP does this, but some promoters limit how soon a band can come back to play an area… maybe SP's VFest contract contains such a clause.

http://www.ticketmaster.com/smashingpumpkins sez:

Smashing Pumpkins fall tour is expected to stop in the following cities:
Atlanta, GA
Boston, MA
Columbus, OH
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Detroit, MI
Houston, TX
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
Memphis, TN
Minneapolis, MN
Normal, IL
Philadelphia, PA
Phoenix, AZ
Pittsburgh, PA
Portland, OR
San Diego, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
Seattle, WA
Tucson, AZ

so philly would be closest to DC (after pimlico)

Originally posted by callat703:
Asheville is incredible.

how was the show?

Originally posted by sweetcell:

Originally posted by callat703:
Asheville is incredible.

how was the show?

If I'm not mistaken, his initial post on his experience was something akin to "Phuckin. Awesome!"

i'm up for a philly road trip for the pumpkins. in fact, i've never been to philly. so why not?