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Sunday, July 18, 2010
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist / News Live review: Smashing Pumpkins
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Sun, Jul 18, 2010 at 1:37 PM
Smashing Pumpkins w/ Kill Hannah, Bad City
The Fillmore Charlotte
July 16, 2010
The Deal: Billy Corgan's latest incarnation of Smashing Pumpkins hits The Fillmore with fellow Chicago bands Kill Hannah and Bad City.
The Good: Bad City opened the show, but more on them later.
Kill Hannah was next, putting on an energetic alt-rock show with dark overtones. With flowers in his hair, singer Mat Devine did his best to get the crowd ready for the headliner. I wasn't too familiar with the band prior to the set — they did their job, but I can't say it was memorable for me.
Billy Corgan and his latest group of musicians hit the stage and tore into one of their newer songs, "A Song for a Son," before getting a big reaction for "Today." Corgan appeared cheerful throughout the show as the band bounced between classic songs and newer tracks from the band's free download, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope.
Guitarist Jeff Schroeder, who has been with the band since 2007, appeared more comfortable than during previous shows, but still has that "keep your head down and your music focused" approach. New bassist Nicole Fiorentino sat back, offering a few backing vocals. However, new drummer Mike Byrne may not have done much to start, but by the end of the night, left fans impressed with his skills. The 20-year-old has a bright future ahead of him, as his drum work drove the songs forward and brief fills and solo moments shined.
Corgan didn't say much to the crowd during the show, only addressing them after singing "Bullet With Butterfly Wings." He asked how many people were attending their first Pumpkins show and then to the old-school fans, he said, "Thank you for stickin
Among the standout songs of the night were the 10-minute "United States" — followed by "Disarm" and "Tarantula"; and the live-only gem, "Gossamer" which ended the show as the band's only encore song.
The Bad: Bad City. The first opening band layered on the cheese nice and thick, exuding a kind of '80s metal feeling that got old a few songs into their set. Worst of all was singer Josh Caddy asking the crowd, "Are you ready to rock? I can see the fire in your eyes..." Seriously. I think he took a few too many plays from the "How to be a Rock Frontman in 1985" guidebook.
"Cherub Rock" was on the Pumpkins' setlist, but wasn't played.
The Verdict: Corgan is obviously still the driving force behind the band — his vocals are what define it more than any other member of the group. So, sure, some purists will argue that it's not really Smashing Pumpkins, but this group did a damn fine job with what they've got.
Setlist
A Song for a Son
Today
Astral Planes
Freak
Hummer
Bleeding the Orchid
Bullet with Butterfly Wings
Ava Adore
Owata
United States
Disarm
Tarantula
Stand Inside Your Love
Eye
Tonight, Tonight
Encore
Gossamer
(Cherbu Rock listed, but not played)
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