The World is a Vampire

Mac Charleston, SC, US

August 1996, a friend and I were road trippin from Atlanta to Portland/Seattle to see one the last of the Sex Pistols ‘96 reunion shows – We made a pit stop in Salt Lake City, UT to see a friend, Dennis F (the Frogs) who had just joined the Pumpkins as their replacement keyboard player for the Mellon Collie tour and to catch the show. The show was simply fantastic to say the least -Afterwards as my friend and I headed out, we saw a guy selling pirated merch on the sidewalk – my friend was a professional rocknroll merch guy so he promptly took matters into his own hands and confiscated the box of homemade black tees with a hand drawn globe bearing vampire fangs – My buddy & I laughed hysterically at what had just happened, took the box of T’s back inside to the dressing room and personally handed it to Billy – We then left the arena for the night & headed off for several days with the Sex Pistols. Months later, we saw the Pumpkins again in Atlanta and lo and behold, what did we find at the merch booth?? – The Pirated T had been bootlegged by the Band!! The World IS a Vampire indeed- Many more SP’s memories from the Siamese Dream Triclops recording sessions days. Glad to see BC and Co still making the magic happen.

best SP album ever!

NM Williamsburg. VA, US

I love TSP sooo much, and even though I’m only 13 ( a lot younger than ,ost of their fans) I still think they are really cool. i used to overlook adore and never even take the time to listen to it. Well, that was before I actually decided to take a stab at it, and oh my god. From the second To Sheila played, I knew I would love this album. And I do!:)SP, you guys are no doubt, hands down, the best band ever. No one has, will, or can ever ever top you guys. Thank you, sincerely, for all the work that goes into your music. Thank you so so much!:)

The best SP album!

nuha Williamsburg,VA, US

I had never heard about SP until one of my best friends introduced me to this band. The first SP song I ever heard was Ava Adore, and it is still my n1 track. Most people my age find SP really old, but still, they are better than all the newer music. The sadness of adore, its vibes, how I can absolutely bawl to it makes me love it so much. But honestly, everything this band makes is amazing!!! SP, thank you so much!!! You guys grace the planet with the best music ever given to humanity!!! I feel your efforts every time I hear one of your songs!!!

My life

Jorge Noguerales Monge Madrid, ES

Beloved Billy, I’ve been a fan of yours since I was 12 years old. The first CD I ever had in my life was Mellon Collie. Then I bought the rest, your book of poems, James’ solo album, the HUF skateboard. Everything. Today, I brought the Mellon Collie songbook and a marker, dreaming of the slightest possibility that you might sign it for me thanks to my artist pass for the area where you go from backstage to the stage. And I approached you, like a child on Christmas when Santa Claus arrives, and you addressed me to say, “get the fuck away.” Aware of the nerves before going on stage, I understand, but I go home wrapped in tears, shattered. It hurts so much.

Perfect…..

NM Ashburn, VA, US

I have some amazing friends, and in 8th grade, one of them decided to introduce me to this funny vegetable band that likes to smash pumpkins. From the moment I heard Billy sing “We must never be apart”  I knew this was the perfect band for me. Fast forward to June, I developed an obsessive interest with this band that I hope will never die down! Adore and its smooth sadness and surreal satisfaction is my favorite album. I sing Perfect all the time with my guitar and my best friends and I all sang it together on the last day of school, running around the class with karoke mics in our hands. This album forever reminds me of times long gone and soothes me internally. I love you guys from the bottom of my heart! Please continue making music for as long as you can and never listen to the haters! SP FOREVER! WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!

During the rehearsal of ‘Nightmare’ at Sydney’s Entertainment Centre

Chris Sydney, AU

My friends and I, all 17 at the time and fans since the Gish era, were inside the Sydney Entertainment Centre, pleading with security for a sneak peek at the rehearsal of “Nightmare.” When the guard got distracted, we seized the moment, ran inside and caught a full view with the house lights on of the Pumpkins playing “Nightmare.” While playing, Billy looked at us and even managed to wave. We heard about 15 seconds of pure magic before security closed in from all angles. We escaped and blended into the crowd. It was an unforgettable, thrilling experience.

What if the clouds refused to rain?

Marcel Berlin, DE, US

June 2024 – At this year’s concert in Berlin I found my love.
In a crowd of 17,000 people there was this one woman close by that danced so beautifully and smiled like sunshine. She obviously enjoyed the show as much as I did.
Our eyes met. We both smiled even more.
After the last song we stood next to each other and started talking.
We are a couple now.

First SP experience

Crystal Cantu Harlingen, US

In 1995 (my senior year in HS) I won a contest on our local radio station. I got to choose a free CD. I picked MCIS not knowing much about SP. Wow! Talk about transformative! I became a lifelong fan. The MCIS show in San Antonio was the BEST concert I’ve ever been to. I even named my son Corgan. ♥️

Melancholy and that’s okay

John D Mission Viejo, CA, US

As a gen z’er I’ve always felt that the best songs that captured teenage angst were from the 90s. But hearing Mellon Collie throughout high school became the soundtrack of not only my teenage  years, but my whole life. That’s when I realized SP and music isn’t just a moment, it’s an entire lifetime. I can’t thank SP enough for being the voice I felt I could never express.

Guitar hero on a gloomy fall day

Mason Muskegon mi, US

Gloomy fall day we decided guitar hero was the best way to spend our valuable time

Infinite love

Jamie smith GB

This album is the greatest album of all time, I used to walk home with becca most days and listen to it again and again, we’d lie on the bed as teenagers and talk about meeting up again as adults and getting married.  This album will never be topped for me.

Infinite Love

Bryan Booher Spring Valley, OH , US

The Smashing Pumpkins played Bogart’s in Cincinnati, OH as part of The Arising Tour in 1999. Jimmy was back in the band and they launched a small club tour. While waiting in line to enter the venue, we could see Billy and James in the local music store next to the Bogart’s, buying pedals and other guitar related items. That was rad. And the show was UNREAL! They played with a ferociousness that made the place go nuts. I’ve seen Smashing Pumpkins 28 times. The Bogart’s Arising Tour show is in my top 3 SP shows ever. The mighty SP are a part of me at this point. A part of who I am, a beacon of love and hope that has ignited my spirit for over 30 years. I can’t thank them enough for the decades plus of music they’ve provided. ❤️

Rat in a cage

Ramiro Roselli La Blanqueada, Montevideo, UY

"Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" is the first album by TSP that I heard and that album, which coincided with the year I entered university, was like a knock out blow for me. The controlled fury that turns into aggression and lack of control when going through each of its songs is a kind of liberating mantra that I still revisit, 30 years later, now an engineer, a husband and father of 2 children, to shout again that "Despite all my rage, I'm still a rat in a cage".

Smashing Cookie

Steve Grez US

MC&TIS came out and connected with me at the right time. I needed it and it was there for me and saved my life. Forever thankful. 

Pink turns to Blu

Myriam Madrid, ES

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, inspired me a t shirt design i made in those times under the name of “pink turns to blue” inspired by the colour of the cds which evoke the Hüsker Dü song

20th birthday

Victoria Kerr Buenos Aires, AR

The image kind of explains itslef! I got my melon collie tattoo on my 19th birthday. A few months after that i met my now boyfriend and i introduced him to this huge part of my life called the smashing pumpkins. On my 20th he surprised me with this beautiful melon collie cake and that picture alone encapsulates my love for that album and tsp. Thank you so much for so many memories

Favorite gift from dad

Keri San Antonio, TX, US

I didn’t grow up in the richest or most stable family. However, we would always find a way to express love to each other when it mattered most. My dad knew SP had been my favorite band for several years by this time, and my birthday being October 24- he had surprised me with the double disc in a huge box filled with crumpled paper to throw me off. I remember binge listening for likely a full year afterwards, and in the years to come even after the disc set had long been lost to life being cruel, I never forgot how happy I was that day. I lost my dad to cancer in 2001, and that was the last birthday present he ever got me. I got to finally see SP live, in October a few years ago with Jane’s Addiction at the Moody in Austin. I was in the 15th row and felt like he was with me, especially when they played Talking Heads, a favorite of my dad’s. Thank you for everything, I’ll be 43 this October 24th. 

Playing Zero on the Drums

Victoria Kerr Buenos Aires, AR

Ive played drums since i was 12 years old. This is me at 16 (im now 20 😂) playing zero in front of an audience full of friends and family. Needless to say I kind of scared my grandma but she got into it. I Love you tsp

The Cherry on the top of the cake

Hélder Porto, PT, PT

I was 16. Terribly in love. Bought the 1979 single and found this Cherry at the top of the cake. Thank you, SP. You’re really Smashing. 

Time is never time at all

Calina Marysville, OH, US

I was born on October 12th, 2005. On the drive home from the hospital, my parents played MCIS and Tonight, Tonight for me. They were the first songs I ever listened to. 17 years later, I got to hear Tonight, Tonight live with my dad in Cincinnati. 8 months after that, I drove myself to my graduation in my own car, listening to those same songs. SP’s music has been with me throughout my entire life and in every moment, no matter how significant. 

The Beginning of the End…

Mike Salinas Houston, Texas, US

A friend gifted me ‘Siamese Dream’ and it changed my life!  Went out the first day MC&TIS came out and bought it on CD.  Made a cassette copy for a girl I really liked but was dragging my feet with. ( I was very shy and insecure ).  Anyways, a few days later she said we could no longer be anything… Was it the music?

Double delight

Adam Burton Dorchester, GB

A friend’s mum worked at the local radio station and sold me the promo cd copy they had. It had a sticker on it saying it was a promo and I slowly scratched it off, which I really regret doing.

I remember thinking I’m never going to be familiar with all 28 songs, but I was in no time and the sharp switch between heavy and mellow really gripped me.

We used to turn it up in my mates car for Billy’s solo vocal bits, like “the world is a vampire” and in zero “emptiness is…” 

Best belated birthday gift ever!!

Jen Chesterbrook, PA, US

Hands down my favorite album! My friend gave it to me for my 15th birthday. It was late bc my bday is on Oct 15th. So worth the wait! I am actually wearing my TSP shirt today!! 

Tonight, Tonight

NAOKI TAKASAWA TOKYO, JP

The time I saw you guys at the Nippon Budokan before is still my best live experience.

Embodiment of Love

Claire Columbus, OH, US

I fell in love with this album at 13 while I was in a toxic relationship. With my new amazing boyfriend, I received the MCIS CD from him. He loves and knows me so well, and I associate this album with the love I have to give.

Homecoming Night

Jesse Little Rock, Ar, US

I remember I had just gotten into SP a few months before my high school homecoming senior year. I had told all my friends I wouldn’t go if I didn’t have a date. That night, while everyone was at homecoming, I was out in the woods, looking at the stars, and listening to this album in its entirety. I have never had anything be so relatable as that album was that evening.