MUSIC NEWS- A set-up, a publicity stunt? We don't know but we hope this isn't a regular part of the rest of their 20th Anniversary Tour. In NYC at the United Palace Theatre on the second night (white crosses night) of a two-night stand, which emphasized long, dirge-like non-hits over short and blistering big hits (and bad reviews from the rock press), The Smashing Pumpkins followed an extended version of Heavy Metal Machine with a casual cover of Pink Floyd's Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun. After a continued barrage of catcalls from the crowd and after seeing significant numbers of the audience leave, frontman Billy Corgan invited up one very vocal heckler to the stage. "Last night's show fucking sucked, man!" the guy yelled, to the roar of the crowd. Corgan stayed calm initially and asked the man if he'd like his money back, but then told the audience member to leave. And while the man was leaving the stage, Corgan let loose with this:
"By the way, I liked that song you wrote. I heard it was Number 1. Wasn't it Number 1 in Europe? It's called Take Your D*ck Out Of My A*s And Stick It In My Mouth."
MNN says: A little strong, Corgan! Putting everyone in a holiday mood, Corgan then dedicated the next tune to the unnamed heckler, which was to be a delicate version of Fleetwood Mac's Landslide, a song Corgan has performed beautifully for years. The tour runs thru December 3rd in LA. See a clip of the NY fun here.
UPDATE 11/22/08- Now it seems that the Billy Corgan has had another weird on-stage scene, this time in Chicago. After some negative audience responses, Mr Corgan said: "You know, for 20 years we've tried to make people happy, and failed again and again. Is it that we don't play music? Is that I don't have a big smile on my face? Is it my funny voice? Why can't people be happy with us?" To the drummer, Jimmy Chamberlin, Corgan pleaded, "Why, Jimmy, why?" Then, turning back to the crowd, he asked, "Why can't you people be happy with us? Oh, I get it - it's 'cause we don't do what you want us to do." Continuing his rant, Corgan said, "Last I checked we were in an alternative band. 'Alternative' means 'different than what everyone else is doing,' including those reunion bands that go out and just play the old songs." Throughout cheers and protests, Corgan summed up the night: "It doesn't go anywhere from here. You might as well head to your cars." See report here from Music Radar and a video clip!
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