Like them or not, Smashing Pumpkins did not just leave an indelible mark on Chicago, but an entire generation of kids who were exposed to their music in the early 90's. It could be argued that their current influence still reigns supreme today, but I think one would have a harder time proving that point. They arrived at the right time and were able to cash in on the commercial success of the "alternative" movement, and managed to build an eclectic body of work that has often come under all sorts intense criticism and scrutiny from fans and media alike... but of course I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.
So why even mention a band that obviously isn't hurting for exposure or needing yet another article to be written about them? Well, I had pretty much forgotten about the Smashing Pumpkins and how much I used to be into them, but recent events (read: getting hooked up with a copy of the Singles soundtrack) brought back a flood of memories when that riff from 'Drown' kicks in. Maybe it's just me, but I think sometimes its too easy to write off how good a band like Smashing Pumpkins were. They came up through the ranks the same way most other bands do, only their peak was light years past what 99.9% of bands could ever hope to experience.
I found a few videos on youtube that date back to 1992 at some club in Milwaukee (according to various comments) where the band played 'Drown', and introduce it as a song that will be in a movie that "you don't know about yet". If the date is right, this would have been just before Siamese Dream was released, an album that is pretty hard to dislike no matter what your tastes. However, for me its one of those records that maybe finds its way into my rotation once a year, and I always end up saying "damn this record is so good... i should listen to it more often", but of course I don't.
Anyways, here are some links to the 1992 show I mentioned. Its a pretty rare glimpse into one of those "before the entire world knew who they were" moments, and to have been there must be a rad memory for those in the crowd.
