Smashing Pumpkins formed in 1988 in Chicago, with founding members Billy Corgan, D’arcy Wretzky, James Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin. There have been numerous lineup changes, leaving Corgan the only member of the original band still with the outfit.
Early in their career, the band turned their backs on the punk rock esthetic adopted by their contemporaries, and instead combined elements of shoegaze, progressive rock, psychedelic rock, dream pop, heavy metal, and gothic rock. They introduced electronica in recordings made later in their career. The disparate elements came together to produce a layered, diverse sound. The combination worked, as Smashing Pumpkins have worldwide album sales of 30 million albums.
Their breakthrough into the mainstream came when grunge bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana began to make alternative rock popular. They relocated to Marietta, Georgia, to work on the project that became their breakout effort, “Siamese Dream,” which debuted on the Billboard 200 chart at No 10.
Despite a troubled history, they remain a force in music. A concert review says:
“There were moments of fiery, blistering rock 'n' roll . . . Smashing Pumpkins proved they are still one of America’s most interesting . . . musical groups.”
Smashing Pumpkins will be at the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn on August 5. When events like this are planned, organizers can use poster printing to create suitable advertising.