Hunched over his drum kit, the Smashing Pumpkins' Jimmy Chamberlin rarely looked up during the band's gig marking his return. Although "Welcome Back" signs peppered the 1,000- capacity St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit on Saturday (April 10), the Pumpkins took an innocuous approach to the event -- until the encore. Then all hell broke loose.
"What are you all screaming about? I know what it is. Jimmy's back. We saw a lot of signs saying 'Welcome back,' and we thank you," bassist D'arcy Wretzky told the crowd after the second encore. Chamberlin then took the mike and thanked everyone for their support. "Thank you, everybody. It's good to be back. Detroit Rock City!"
The drummer, now sporting a crew cut and looking noticeably thinner and muscular, was kicked out of the band after their touring keyboardist, Jonathan Melvoin, died of a drug overdose in July 1996. Eschewing the details of Chamberlin's release, singer Billy Corgan poked fun of his bandmate: "When Jimmy was out of the band, he was an explorer, race car driver, and a rough neck on an oil rig. He is a Renaissance man, and he's only doing this one show with us, then he goes back to Egypt to explore the great pyramids."
Chamberlin's drumming was tight throughout the almost-two-hour set. Corgan, dressed in black pants and a knee-length black coat, used the show as an opportunity to showcase material from their forthcoming album, which they are currently recording with producer Flood. Playing with the fury of an arena rock show, the Pumpkins tore through hits like "Today," "Ava Adore," and "Zero." Most of the new songs were rockers, evidence that the Pumpkins are edging closer to their original, full-throttle rock sound.
The new tunes ranged from the punk-influenced "Glass's Theme," the groove-oriented "Dross," and the powerful ballad "Speed Kills." Bathed in red light, the Pumpkins used the new song "Cash Car Star" to rev up the crowd.
It was clear the usually dour Corgan was having fun. Taking on the personality of a TV evangelist, he squatted and pointed toward the ceiling as he screamed, "You'll always be my whore" during a metal take on "Ava Adore." Even Wretzky was surprised by Corgan's enthusiasm.
"You know we don't have a new record to support," said Wretzky. "I've been wondering what the hell this tour is about. It's just about having fun. I'm having fun. We're not a fun band, really. It sounds corny, I know. But we're having fun. Look, he's smiling. He's in a good mood."
Here is the set list from the show:
"I Am One"
"Zero"
"Pug"
"La Dolla Vita"
"Glass's Theme"
"Virex"
"Dross"
"Speed Kills"
"Blue Skies Bring Tears"
"Stand Inside Your Love"
"Glass + The Ghost Children"
"Wound"
"Cash Car Star"
"Ava Adore"
"Today"
"Muzzle"
"Soma"
"Home"
"If There is a God"
"With Every Light"
"Geek USA"
- Christina Fuoco
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