Smashing Pumpkins, Explosions in the Sky ATLANTA HALLOWEEN SHOW

Billy Corgan may hate independent record stores, but he sure loves the independent music. Adding to an already impressive lineup of recent opening bands (Deerhunter & Celebration), Smashing Pumpkins are bringing Explosions in the Sky on tour with them this October. There will be two dates here in Atlanta, including a show on Halloween. Smashing Pumpkins on Halloween? Sounds fun. As long as we get to set bags of poo on fire too.

Tour dates with EITS:
10-11 Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion
10-13 Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre
10-15 Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre
10-16 Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre
10-19 Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theatre
10-21 Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theatre
10-22 Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theatre
10-25 Memphis, TN - Mud Island Amphitheatre
10-30 Atlanta, GA - Fox Theatre
10-31 Atlanta, GA - Fox Theatre
11-05 Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium

EDIT: These shows are sold out.

Smashing Pumpkins: Greedy? Stupid? Both?

So I've been seeing/reading quite a few people's opinions on the new Smashing Pumpkins album "Zeitgeist" and the marketing promotion involving FOUR different versions of said album. What's the difference between 'em? Three of them come with a different bonus song each, and then there's the standard version. So will people really go buy three versions of this album, just to get these THREE songs? Probably not. Most will buy the standard edition, and then download the bonus songs off the internet somewhere. Does this ploy to get fans to purchase three different versions of his album, make Billy Corgan a greedy scumbag? Maybe. But what it really makes him is a really bad marketing strategist. I mean really, what idiot is going to shell out $40-50 just to get three extra songs. Not many, I hope. The real kick in the groin, is that these "exclusive bonus song" editions are being sold at Best Buy, Target & iTunes. To quote P'fork: "Billy and company would like you to know that they fully support the extinction of the American independent record store at the hand of large, faceless, little-guy-crushing big boxes." Hopefully it won't matter since most people will do exactly as I predict and buy the basic album and download the extra songs for free later. Has my respect for Billy and co. diminished? Most certainly. In the same way it has for The Police and other bands charging $75-$300 for nose-bleed seats to their concerts. They have forgotten who their fan-base is. It's definitely NOT people who can afford to spend $250 a ticket, or $50 for an album + three extra songs. These bands have spoken to their fans quite clearly: "If you don't have the money to keep me in the style I have grown accustomed to, then fuck off". Again, pretty stupid marketing strategy to piss on fans and expect them to buy anything. But if you are still planning to buy this thing, at least buy it at your local independent record store (I'm pretty sure it won't be hard to get ahold of those nifty bonus songs later!).

Deerhunter will open two dates for Smashing Pumpkins. Wait? What?

Yes, it's true. Beloved local mind-blowers, Deerhunter are scheduled to open two of the nine Smashing Pumpkins residency shows at N. Carolina's The Orange Peel. The NC residency Pumpkins' shows start this Saturday 6/23 & end Thursday 7/05...Deerhunter will be the openers for the 6/29 & 6/30 dates. I'm not sure if this was initiated by Deerhunter or the Pumpkins but either way there will no doubt be some very confused SP fans. Or maybe some very happy ones. Ah, who knows. I'm still really confused myself.