| Tampa Tribune Interviews James About Band and Tour |
| April 24, 2000, 11:00 pm |
Source: Tampa Tribune Pumpkins blend old, new on tour; [FINAL Edition] KEVIN WALKER. Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Fla.: Apr 25, 2000. pg. 1 Abstract (Document Summary) Three-fourths of the original band is on this tour - head Pumpkin Billy Corgan, guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. I had the chance a few days ago to talk briefly with Iha about the band and the tour. Iha: It's just more guitars than the last record. Also, with the last record, we didn't play as much as a band. On this one, the songwriting is more singer-songwriter stuff, instead of just straight riff rock. So, I'd say it's a mix of the old and the new. Full Text (461 words) Copyright Tampa Tribune Company Apr 25, 2000 The Smashing Pumpkins are coming May 5 to, of all places, Ruth Eckerd Hall. The show is sold out, according to the ticket office at the Clearwater hall. Three-fourths of the original band is on this tour - head Pumpkin Billy Corgan, guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. The band's bass player, D'arcy, quit after the band finished its latest disc, "MACHINA/The Machines of God." The three have been joined by Melissa Auf Der Maur, former bass player for Hole. I had the chance a few days ago to talk briefly with Iha about the band and the tour. Rail: The new record is being seen as a return to the form of earlier Smashing Pumpkins records. Would you agree with that? Iha: It's just more guitars than the last record. Also, with the last record, we didn't play as much as a band. On this one, the songwriting is more singer-songwriter stuff, instead of just straight riff rock. So, I'd say it's a mix of the old and the new. Rail: It also is a concept album, but the story seems a little cryptic. Iha: I didn't have anything to do with the lyrics. Rail: So, how does that work? Does Billy Corgan just bring in finished songs for you to play? Iha: He brings us songs in lots of different forms. Some are more completely realized than others. Then, we play it over and over and over [laughs]. Rail: He (Corgan) has a reputation for being controlling. Do you think that is undeserved? Iha: Well, he does have that reputation [laughs]. We collaborate on the sound and the arrangement of songs. But, I don't really hear the lyrics until much later. Rail: You're playing smaller venues on this tour, like the one here. After years of playing mostly arenas, how has the experience been playing to smaller crowds? Iha: It's been good. We didn't want to come out and do a big arena tour. I don't really like going to see bands in big arenas, unless they've got giant, flying pigs or something like that. Rail: Ah, like Pink Floyd. Iha: (Laughs). Right. Rail: How has a new bass player changed the band? Iha: It's a different feel. I don't know how to say it's different other than to say it's just different. She does know all about being in a weird rock band. Rail: One that's arguably more weird than yours. Iha: (Laughs). No comment. Rail: Are you sticking to songs from the new record? What old songs can fans expect to hear? Iha: We're doing some older songs ..."Today,' "Disarm,' "Bullet With Butterfly Wings.' We're also doing some covers. We've been doing "Rock On' by David Essex, but in a Smashing Pumpkins kind of way. Credit: Kevin Walker |