The End Is the Beginning Is the End Is The Beginning: A Smashing Pumpkins Bio

Posted by Albert Costill on Oct 31, 2008 in FYI | Comments

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It’s Halloween, which is always the best time to smash some pumpkins. Here’s a bio on the Smashing Pumpkins.

The Pumpkins first show was on July 8, 1988 at Chicago 21, which featured just Billy Corgan and guitarist James Iha. Bassist D’arcy Wretzky joined next, followed by drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.

The band sold cassettes of demos at their shows, the series of demos became known as Early 1989 Demos.

The Pumpkins made their first vinyl appearance on on the Light into Dark, which was a compilation of Chicago alternative bands. They contributed the tracks “My Dahlia” and “Sun”.

“I Am One” was their first released single in 1990 on Limited Potential.

“Tristessa” was the band’s second single released in December of 1990 through Sub Pop.

The Pumpkins debut album, Gish, was released on May 28, 1991 on Caroline and was reissued by Virgin in 1994.

The song “Rhinoceros” originally appeared on the Early 1989 Demos; it was part of the Lull EP, as opposed to a CD single.

The Pumpkins opened up for Guns ‘N’ Roses, Jane’s Addiction and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The band contributed the track “Drown” for the Singles soundtrack.

Siamese Dream was released on July 27, 1993 and has sold over six million copies worldwide.

A heavier version on “Disarm” can be found on Vieuphoria, which is the band’s VHS of live performances from 1994.

The Pumpkins replaced Nirvana as the headliner for the 1994 edition of Lollapalooza, which also featured the Beastie Boys, George Clinton & the P-Funk All Stars, The Breeders, A Tribe Called Quest, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, L7, The Black Crowes, The Flaming Lips, Cypress Hill and Green Day (for only the second half of the tour).

Pisces Iscariot was released on October 4, 1994 and is a compilation of b-sides, demos and outtakes.

The band’s double disc, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, was released on October 24, 1995.

“Bullet with Butterfly Wings” was placed on Clear Channel’s list of possible inappropriate songs after September 11, 2001.

“Tonight, Tonight” features the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Drummer Jimmy Chamberlin was fired during the band’s 1996 after he overdosed with touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin; Melvoin unfortunately passed away.

The band contributed the track “The End Is the Beginning Is the End” for the classic 1997 flick Batman and Robin.

Adore was released on June 2, 1998 and only sold just over one million copies.

Jimmy Chamberlin returned to the band for the 1999 “The Arising” tour.

Bassist D’arcy departed the band in September of 2000 and was replaced by Hole bassist Melissa Auf de Maur.

Machina/The Machines of God was released on February 29, 2000.

On May 23, 2000 Billy Corgan announced on KROQ in L.A. that the Pumpkins were breaking up.

Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music was released on September 5, 2000 via the internet, and for free.

The band played a farewell show at the Metro in Chicago on December 2, 2000.

On April 20, 2006 the band announced it’s reunion, but with just Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin.

Zeitgeist was released on July 6, 2007 and debuted at number two on the Billboard charts.

The song “Doomsday Clock” also appeared on the Transformers soundtrack.

Corgan and Chamberlin released the four track EP American Gothic digitally on January 1, 2008 .

One of the remixed versions of “The End Is the Beginning Is the End”, entitled “The End Is the Beginning Is the End Is The Beginning” appeared in the trailer for The Watchmen, which debuted during showings of The Dark Knight. The song actually broke into the iTunes Top 100 during the summer of 2008.

The Pumpkins released a new single, “G.L.O.W.”, for Guitar Hero: World Tour in September of 2008.

The band is currently on tour, celebrating their 20th Anniversary. You can check out tour dates right here.

Image by Erkka P. via Flickr