ARTIST

Smashing Pumpkins

Although lumped right in with the early-'90s "alternative" music genre, Chicago's Smashing Pumpkins have proven the antithesis to the D.I.Y./indie ethos, with the often-bombastic production and overblown-ness of works like their 140-minute, string-laden Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness (certified platinum eight times over). The brainchild of singer/guitarist/producer Billy Corgan, The Pumpkins were one of the most popular rock acts in America.

The band, at the time consisting of Corgan, bassist D'Arcy Wretzky (the blonde object of many an indie-boy crush), guitarist James Iha, and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, became well-known after their 1991 debut Gish -- although Corgan actually played most of the instruments on this, as well as on their other releases. Their next album, 1993's Siamese Dream, on major label Virgin, propelled the band into superstar status by selling over four million copies, and the following year they nabbed the top spot at Lollapalooza after planned headliners Nirvana dropped out. The band's only personnel change took place in 1996, when Chamberlin was fired. Chamberlin's replacement was Matt Walker, formerly of Filter.

Corgan has claimed that Mellon will be the last Pumpkins album with their signature guitar sound, and that they will be heading into a more electronic direction -- which isn't contradicted by his synthy solo track on the Lost Highway soundtrack, "Eye." In mid-'97, The Smashing Pumpkins have a featured track "The End Is The Beginning Of The End" on the Batman & Robin soundtrack.

Written by Mara Schwartz