Transformative Years
Spencer Folkerts Fort Wayne, IN, US
Your Senior year in high school is full of emotions and trying to figure out what’s next. My best friend Darren’s basement is where we listened to music and played CD roulette where we had to guess there artist, song title. I remember studying the MCIS booklet, reading the lyrics like poetry. The SP tour came to my city of Fort Wayne, IN. My friends from high school reunited from college for an epic show. I had to save my friend Heather from being pinned between several big guys and we sat on the edge taking in the rest of show. MCIS guided me through several relationships, being on my own in college. This was my look in college, SP shirts with flannel. The variety of music, each song playing like a movie, pure poetry and power is what keeps me listening to this album to this day.
Next Generation
Robert Oa, US
I saved most of my tour shirts from the 5 shows I was able to see in Philadelphia, Pa. I figured it was time for the Next Generation to enjoy sold I sold them to Ryan, the bass player from the Kick Ass Band State Champs!!!
Changing of the guard
Robert Pa, US
I beg my friend to go see the Smashing Pumpkins. As soon as the hit the stage I new there was something different!!! Coming from the 80s with all the hair band music there was something different. I was lucky enough to see Alice Chains open for Van Halen and people were Booing !!! They new bands did not give a fuck!!! The rest is history!!! Hair bands dried up over night!!
Smashing Pumpkins: Why I’m still alive at 42
Mone't Ha-Sidi Sacramento, CA, US
I was 18 years old, a Black Girl, depressed, and alienated. I saved my paychecks from Chuck-E-Cheese to buy a ticket for the MCIS show in Sac. I was in the 27th row and alone, but excited to see my favorite band for the first time. Today I have 37 SP, tattoos, including ALL the MCIS lyric booklet symbols, and Love is Suicide.
25 Years of Infinite Fandom
Chelsi Schriver West Sacramento, CA, US
This record has been the catalyst to so many important moments of my life. As my introduction to The Mighty SP in 1996, it opened my eyes to all of the wondrous and magical butterfly effects that loving a band, and so many pieces of music with all your heart, can evoke. From making lifelong friends, to cross-country travel, and getting deeply lost in ephemeral sonic moments you wish could last forever, it’s *all* because of MCIS.
Mellon Collie 1996 NYC
Erek Brooklyn, NY, US
At the very beginning of the Mellon Collie tour the Pumpkins played three intimate shows at The Academy in NYC on Jan. 11th, 12th, & 13th, 1996. I was fortunate to attend all three shows. 1st sets were primarily beautiful soft acoustic, 2nd sets were full blast electric, multiple encores. Stage lighting and setting were simple and pure, such as the 8ft flower on the stage. No cellphone days, crowd was fully immersed, captured by the raw power and elegance of the Pumpkins unique creative force. For me, a true snapshot of a more simpler/innocent time, experiencing a groundbreaking band gaining momentum/notoriety that were ready to unleash a true identity body of work for the world to absorb. Pic shown is the commemorative ticket designed by James Iha. Happy 25th Anniversary Mellon Collie!!!
Greatest Album of All Time
jdodson Portland, US
MCIS is the greatest album of all time and is one of those things that you have a great relationship over the years. Dawn to Dusk it’s a beautiful ride and one I’ll always be happy to be on from time to time. My young son and I tried to draw it this morning and whereas it looks very embarrassing there is something quaint in trying to collaborate with a four year old as Muzzle is blazing in the background.
French Them
Leroy Luc Bastia, FR
J’ai découvert MCIS au printemps 1996, adolescent à cette époque, l’album et ses mélodies m’accompagna tout au long des chaudes nuits de cet été là, rythmant mes jours et mes nuits, mes doutes et mes faiblesses, mes humeurs et mes amours… Telle une fièvre qui monte et se répand, il contamina mes amis les plus proches, sans ne plus jamais nous quitter, aujourd’hui encore, 25 ans après l’adulte que je suis devenu ne peut plus se passer de l’écouter, de temps en temps ou plus souvent, ses textes et musiques refaisant vivre en moi ces années si loin déjà, mélancolie mêlée de tendresse et de joie. Merci pour ces 25 ans et pour les années à venir.
Luc.
The Crowning Achievement of the Four OG Band Members
Lora San Diego, CA, US
My brother and I co-purchased “MCIS” 50/50 on the night it came out, from The Wherehouse down the street from where he lived with my dad and stepmom at the time. I ended up taking the “Twilight to Starlight” (“the blue one”) home while he kept “Dawn to Dusk” (“the pink one”), which always makes the former feel like the “first” disk to me – even though that’s out of order and makes it so the title track and “Farewell and Goodnight” don’t sync up as ‘bookends’ to the album, as intended.
The band’s crowning achievement, “Mellon Collie” was the Pumpkins at the top of their game, and how Billy could write so many incredible songs and lyrics in such short period of time I still don’t understand. The uninitiated call Kurt Cobain the voice of our generation, but with all due respect and love for him, it’s ultimately Billy who spoke for us and to us through the Pumpkins’ music.
Paul and I saw SP tour “Mellon Collie” twice in 1996, at a small club and at a big arena. Years later he gave away our MCIS copy without my knowing – he backed up the files for me first – sure wish I still had our OG physical copy bought that night at the La Mesa Wherehouse.