ZERO, baby, with my Billy C haircut

Kevin M New Orleans, LA, US

Saw you all in New Orleans for the 2nd time back in May 2022. You all rocked, loved the good vibes throughout the show. Come back soon!

SP Fan for life

Mandi Chicago, IL, US

Chicago girl, been a fan since I was old enough to choose my own music (Siamese Dream era for me). The Smashing Pumpkins were a port in the storm during the toughest of my teen years and helped me feel less alone. I have many memories of fun times at SP shows, several trips to Zuzu’s and now raising a tiny SP fan myself.  One of my very favorite memories was posting my tattoo on Instagram and Billy himself liking it, that means a lot as a fan. <3

Arising Tour 1999

Jeremy Kopp Cincinatti, OH, US

Growing up in small town in Southwest Michigan in the 90’s, Smashing Pumpkins was the first band I truly LOVED. I discovered them on Q101, the Chicago alternative rock station, we were able to access from across the lake. The first time I heard those overdubbed guitars, I was entranced. I immediately bought Siamese Dream, Gish and any other LP/EP/B-Side/Import I could get my hands on. It was pre-internet, so anything special had to be ordered via mail. I remember when I got my Vieuphoria VHS delivered. I watched it so many times the tape broke.

In 1996, when I was sixteen, I finally saw them live at the Palace of Auburn Hills on the Mellon Collie tour. It remains the most emotionally satisfying show I have ever seen. There is only one other show that comes close.

In 1999, while at MSU, I read that the Pumpkins were reuniting with Jimmy to showcase new songs in smaller venues. There was only nine dates. By luck, the first show was in Detroit only 90 minutes away from East Lansing. Regrettably, we screwed up and tickets sold out in minutes. Scrambling, we were able to score two tickets to the second show of the tour at Bogarts in Cincinnati Ohio – 5 hours away from East Lansing.

We drove brimming with anticipation, playing their songs the entire way, a credit to their amazing library. When we arrived, we caught a glimpse of Billy in a nearby music shop checking out guitars. Everyone at the show was a die-hard fan, so the energy was electric.

The Pumpkins came out and for the next 2.5 hours proceeded to rock our faces off. They played from Gish (I am One), Siamese Dream (Today, Soma, Geek USA), Pisces Iscariot (La Dolly Vita), Mellon Collie (Muzzle, Zero), Adore (Pug) and all the Machina songs were mind-blowing live. All told there were 21 songs with 3 encores. This was the last tour that the original members played together. D’arcy was out of the band by the end of this brief run of shows.

While part of me wishes I could relive this show with some photos or video, the truth is, I’m glad I didn’t have a smart phone. My eyes were fixated on the stage watching one the greatest bands of all time play for 1,500 people.

Here is the setlist: https://spcodex.wiki/wiki/The_Smashing_Pumpkins_1999-04-12

One last thing, after nearly 30 years of fandom, I had the opportunity to meet Billy briefly in the lobby of my office building in Los Angeles. I have worked in and around entertainers for 20 years, but I have never been more nervous to speak to someone before. All I really could say was “thank you” for the music & memories. He couldn’t have been nicer.

Mascara Sure and Lipstick Lost

Mary Chicago, IL, US

Bored suburban teen in central Florida. Here Is No Why still brings me back to my angst teen years.

Once a Zero, always a Zero

Jorge A. Hernández Camacho The Border Juárez / El Paso, MX

I have been wearing a Zero T-shirt since I was 16. I am 42 right now. The Zero t-shirt represents a lot of things for me. There are so many memories. I used to feel some kind of power (confidence) every time I wear it when I was a teenager. It made me feel proud of who I am even though I was not part of the social “standards”.  Until these days, it makes me feel creative, rebel, rocker, tender, and part of a HUGE community of passionate people who enjoyed, perhaps, one of the most amazing eras in rock music. 

Muzzle Memory

Mike Zito Forked River, New Jersey, US

I have such a connection with SP in general, but Muzzle in particular. I arranged to have it played at my funeral and lyric sheets passed out. I think it is a fantastic narrative of a life lived, the joy and pain, the banquet and pageant that is life.

My T-shirt from 1994, between two great albums, hello from Paris

Romain Graëffly PARIS, FR

I’ve bought this t-shirt in the middle of the 1990’s and put it at the 1997, 1998 and 2000 french gigs. 

Misspent youth

Stuart London , GB

1979 is synonymous with my teenage years. How this isn’t a soundtrack to a major motion picture I don’t know. Film producers take note

MCIS(Nightime version)

Pat Woodbridge, Ontario , CA

An esoteric album.  The last minute of Ruby really struck a chord within me.  The sounds elicit the mood I was in at the time, angst, and hope.  I was just starting my family at the time.  That section of music told me things will be ok.   At age 53,  I still set the night time version on repeat.  It perfectly describes my atmosphere from within.

The Metro

Cheryl Los Angeles, US

December 2000 @ The Metro. I met my BF on an SP forum online. We were young and broke but bought tix and flew from LA. One of the most magical musical shows ever! I cant even count how many SP shows Ive been to, alone. Hope to bring my daughter in Santa Barbara next week! Thank you for the memories! 

Hello Kitty Kat!

Paige Alexandria, VA, US

Pisces Iscariot, kitty cat approved.

3 Friends and a missing Dragon

Jimmy New York or Vancouver , UM

that’s going to take more then 300 words i’m afraid 

https://gab.com/EdwardBernays10101

Sydney Hih / The Unicorn / Gus’s Mex

Jon Westmore Tucson, AZ, US

I was friends with Donnie and the boys in The Nerve Twins. We hung out at the Unicorn and the upstairs studio alot in those days. Carried some of your equipment up stairs after the free gigs you did right before you got really popular. Damian’s girlfriend Caitlin was my best friends sister. I remember sitting in the studio upstairs smoking and shooting the shit with Billy and I think James. Last time I saw your band, was with Pearl Jam and RHCP at the Eagles Ballroom. The good old days. I was a fan before Gish and it is still my favorite recording that you have done. Really looking forward to the show tonite.

Thunderstorm at Hoard Tour

abraham Canton, US

Remember the Hoard Tour at Blossom in 1999 when it thunderstorms while you guys were on stage? Such a great memory 🙂 thanks for all the great music over the years.

Time is never time at all

JULIA TAKADA TORRANCE, CA, US

My brother and I grew up watching VH1 countdown every weekend and the first music video I saw was Smashing Pumpkins “Tonight, Tonight”. As a 7 year old, I was mesmerized on the PV and the beautiful music. Ever since then, my brother and I dreamt about seeing you guys. It took a little over 20 years but we were able to join you guys in LA 2018 and then last minute in San Diego.  Can’t wait to show how amazing the band is with my boyfriend and friend in the Fall! Thank you!

Down to earth

Dirk Hanser Celle , DE

Xxxxxxxrunningwildxxxxxxxxxxdonotlookbackxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxthankyouforthemusicxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxlifeisbeautifulxxxxxxxxxdespiteofmyrageismjustfeellikearatinacagexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A lifelong treasure

Jimmy Billings, Montana, US

I could never say enough about this album. What it meant to me in my youth and what it has meant my entire life. I can still remember the first time I heard it, was when my cousin who was college age back in 1996 was listening to it while repairing the roof of my aunt and uncle’s cabin. Well it wasn’t long after that that my older brother acquired a copy. As a ten year old, it was the first piece of music I can remember just being enthralled with. Everything from the album artwork, to the lyric booklet, to the songs and the amount of color, layers and depth that existed in them. All I can account for is what the album meant and has meant to me. It has been one of the great treasures of my life. I’m so grateful for that. I could say so much more but for the sake of the simplicity and purity of just loving something, I will leave it at that. Thank you. 

Zero

Jordan R-Berg Miami, FL, US

Emptiness is loneliness, and loneliness is cleanliness
And cleanliness is godliness, and God is empty, just like me  

MCIS Roadtrip

Dave Evansville, IN, US

Roadtrip to California. Pictured here waking up after sleeping on the lawn of some southern rest stop. Rocked the MCIS tape there and back, had just seen SP live in Carbondale, IL. Good times!

Matt Walker Debut

Kevin Downers Grove, IL, US

While a very tumultuous time for the band, I was lucky enough to have a
friend score tickets to the 8/23/06 matinee debut show with Matt Walker
on drums at the Metro.

My 11 year old learning drums to Zero

Pat McCay West Deptford, US

I saw the Mellon Collie tour at the Spectrum and I was struck by William talking about growing up watching Dr. J play in that building. The show was incredible, and Zero stood out to me in particular. The guitar effects wowed me and I remember trying to get a glimpse at what pedals you guys were using, to no avail. Fast forward to today and my 11 year old daughter has been learning drums and she’s been working on Zero! We had to show it down 10% but she’s getting it and working on some tricks too

My “Muzzle” Tattoo

Brian Washington, DC, US

My first tattoo, at Black Rabbit in Richmond, Virginia

High School hideaway

Krystyna Printup Brooklyn NY, US

Shake down its 1997- getting ready for the release of Adore coming out soon but obsessed with The Smashing Pumpkins and only the Pumpkins MCIS album. Send me off to dreamland as I lay down to go to bed!

Mascara Sure and Lipstick Lost

Mary Chicago, IL, US

Bored suburban teen in central Florida. “Here is No Why,” still brings back angsty teenage memories.

Barcode Baby

JenX Hollywood , US

1996. St.Louis. My first concert ever and at 14. Melon Collie. I have the shirt still. But I got the baby head at Spencers probably a year later. 

Despite all my rage

Sadot Soria Juarez, MX

My 16 yo. self in 2002 at my room.
Down with homework. Up to the pumpkins.