I'm just curious how/why everyone became interested in SP and/or Billy Corgan.
I had always known "who" the Smashing Pumpkins were, but their music had always ended up being a little mediocre for me. If one of their songs came on the radio I wouldn't change it or anything, it was just kind of in the background.
Then in June of 1996 the first time I heard/saw the video for "Tonight, Tonight" I fell in love. I soon bought MCIS and was so absolutely moved and amazed by this album I began to learn everything I could about them and get all their other albums.
That was 10 years ago and they are still by far my favorite band! The chances of another band ever moving me or doing what SP has done for me is really unlikely.
So whats everyone else's SP story?

I loved the video for "Tonight, Tonight" (as you can probably tell), but it wasn't until I saw them perform on Saturday Night Live that I became hooked. And I mean flesh-gouging, Mussolini meathook hooked!

(Cheers for off-color remarks!)

I first discovered The Smashing Pumpkins on a school field trip. I had nothing to listen to on the long bus trip except the first tape from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. I think it was my brother's. I remember constantly rewinding Bullet With Butterfly Wings, because of how good it sounded. I especially liked playing the "I am still just a rat in a-" part over and over again. I still do. I though that since they were called "Smashing Pumpkins" that they were some dark punk band. Like a group of rowdy kids that went around smashing pumpkins on Halloween just be jerks or something. It wasn't until years later that I learned what kind of band The Smashing Pumpkins really were.

I caught wind of them in the early 90s (grew up and went to college in IL), but it was probably 1993-1994 that I started becoming a hardcore fan. . . . . I guess you could say that I've been a fan since the beginning. It was more the lyrics and depth of the music that caught me (layered melodies, etc). As time goes by the music continues to grow on me. . . this is kind of cheesy but my taste in music as I get older somewhat matches Billy's changing directions, so I still love everything he does. That, and, the Pumpkins are/were probably one of the best bands I've seen play live.

I became a fan after I saw the video for [font=Verdana]'Ava Adore'[/font]
Billy/Nosferatu is hot on that video

Billy does a great Nosferatu impersonation.

I know it might sound weird, but i have only been a smashing pumpkins fan since the end of last yeah. I'm only 16 now so i was kind of too young for the depth of the band when they were around. However, since i have been so discusted with popular music nowdays, i started looking back to find music i might like,i really got into bands like the cure, the sex pistols, nirvana, Jane's addiction, sonic youth, soundgarden, ect ect, and of coarse the smashing pumpkins.

From the very first song i heard, 1979, i was hooked completely, intensely. I went down to Sanity (local record store) and ordered, MCIS, Siamese Dream, and the greatest hits DVD. I listened to it and was amazed by SD. There is not one song on it that i dint like, especially Hummer (my favourite song at the moment). I also loved Geek U.S.A and i have been learning to play it on the drums and trying to encourage my band to play it. Yesterday I ordered Vieuphoria, i hope its good.

Oh yeah and by the way, does anyone know if there will be a DVD for the Metro show (the final one of coarse). I heard some rumours, but nothing concrete.

you will love dvd vieuphoria especially if you like siamese dream its the recording of it live with butch vig producing who produced nirvana's nevermind cd as well,and of course billy produced it as well,gh dvd has an ode to no one from the last show at the metro in chicago on clark street.billy wore a silver robe with black.the performance was incredible.f.y.i.> some dude offered five grand for a tix from some guy to the last show he was denied,but to that guy desperate to see billy when the album is realesed in a few months there will be a tour so get ready all eyes are on my friend mr.billy corgan... you guys missed an oppurtinity to join billy and jimmy but as billy always says once a pumpkin always a pumpkin so no bad feelings d'arcy enjoy life on the farm.james a perfect circle is good but it all stared with you and billy why not james????

Yeah i cant wait, like i said i hope they tour Australia.

dougydarkangel link=topic=50.msg377#msg377 date=1148301439]
I know it might sound weird, but i have only been a smashing pumpkins fan since the end of last yeah. I'm only 16 now so i was kind of too young for the depth of the band when they were around. However, since i have been so discusted with popular music nowdays, i started looking back to find music i might like,i really got into bands like the cure, the sex pistols, nirvana, Jane's addiction, sonic youth, soundgarden, ect ect, and of coarse the smashing pumpkins.
I know what you mean! I'm also a relatively recent Smashing Pumpkins fan (since 2003), and it wasn't until I heard their songs that I finally found a band I could say I truly loved. I blame my local radio and MTV during the mid to late-90's, when they played nothing but boy bands and interchangable blond singing girls. Most of the music nowadays still doesn't capture my interest, but in the past year I've been discovering lots of 80's new wave and goth rock, which is slowly becoming my favorite genre. I've been able to add a few more bands to my favorites list like The Cure, Joy Division, Siouxsie & The Banshees, and New Order.

Yeah thats cool, i really recomend that you listen to some more stuff from the early 90's and mid to late 80's. I have found that some of the early grunge stuff like Nirvana, Sonic Youth, jaynes addiction, the cure, soundgarden, plus many others, to be very good. But im not saying that all modern music is rubish. The UK has some really good music nowdays, like Snow Patrol, Bloc Party, Razorlight, Placebo, and of coase Muse, the best live act in the uk.

in 1993 some of this guys i was hanging out just blurted out smashing pumpkins,and i was like i have heard of them and some of their music,and i started to listen to siamese dream and mellon collie,at that point i was hooked......hey kids rock n roll were gonna rock on

I was dating a drummer in '93. He and his band were sitting around talking music, raving about The Smashing Pumpkins. I remember them being impressed with how thick the guitar sound was. I'd never heard of SP so the band lent me Siamese Dream.

Broke up with the drummer but kept in my heart.

I wish i had such a long history with the smashing pumpkins. I am only 16 now so i was a bit young for it when they were around, but i am fully into it now!!

dougydarkangel link=topic=50.msg555#msg555 date=1148775862]
I wish i had such a long history with the smashing pumpkins. I am only 16 now so i was a bit young for it when they were around, but i am fully into it now!!

Don't feel bad. It's never to late to love or appreciate music. thats what so great about it: is its the universal language and your living proof that SP has survived the hardest test: that of time!

I am just discusted with modern music at the moment. Like 50 cent, i mean grow up people, he didnt realy get shot in the chest six times while doing his "hoes". I hate the whole culture that goes with it it is pathetic.

dougydarkangel link=topic=50.msg487#msg487 date=1148648528]
Yeah thats cool, i really recomend that you listen to some more stuff from the early 90's and mid to late 80's. I have found that some of the early grunge stuff like Nirvana, Sonic Youth, jaynes addiction, the cure, soundgarden, plus many others, to be very good.
I love Sonic Youth! They're my 2nd favorite band after The Smashing Pumpkins. I agree that their early 90's material is some of their best work (especially the album Goo), but their 1986 album EVOL is just staggering. With its eerie, haunting atmosphere and great songs, it's a serious candidate for my favorite album of all time.

To tell the truth i havent heard a great deal, but what i have heard is good, i want to get "Dirty" i have heard it is the best