Monday 28 November 2011

Top Marks for Smashing Pumpkins Re-Issues

Taking a leaf from HU and Crestfallen.com, check them out here

Did Corgan just sort of Appologise to Chamberlin...?



Thanks HU xx

Here's a transcript for part of an interview on Radio 1's Zane Lowe program, with Billy Corgan, celebrating Siamese Dream.
Corgan contradicts his previous remarks about the end of his relationship with former Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin...
Zane Lowe: How can you guys not be in contact still? Even if you’re not making music, if you have that kind of spiritual kinship? That’s deeper than that! Isn’t it?
Billy Corgan: You know, we’ve all had — and this may sound a little bit strange, but — we’ve all had great romances in our life, you know? And, they don’t always all go the way we want them to. And it doesn’t mean we don’t love, and doesn’t mean we don’t think fondly of… But I think relationships run their course. Jimmy and I made so much incredible music together, so, you know, if we never play together again, that’s okay with me.
He — you know, I want to speak for him for a second, I feel I can — he wanted to have his own musical journey. He was always on my musical journey. And so I have to really bow my hat to him and say…I think it’s that time in his life where he has to have his own musical journey. He’s entitled to it. He’s earned that. I understand why a fan would want to see him play with me and play those songs. He did it. Maybe having his own band and having his own music experience and not having somebody sort of veto over his head what the drum fill should be…I mean, you’ve got to remember, as psychic as that relationship was, he had to deal with me going, “Nah, I don’t really like that drum fill.” You know, “Can you slow that part down?” Because as the songwriter you get to make the calls. And he was always so so supportive of my music, so, I can’t say a bad word about it. I just think we reached a point where there was nothing else to do, and that’s that. The ugliness part is just the part of…that just goes with breaking up.

Tuesday 1 November 2011

DRUM SOLO!

More on Vic's Drum shop when I spot it - for now, enjoy;



oh - DOUBLE PEDAL

Tuesday 25 October 2011

Jimmy Chamberlin and Umphrey's McGee

Kicking off the music portion of the Groupon Arts Collaboration Series, here's Jimmy with Umphrey's McGee at their recent performance;




Saturday 22 October 2011

Question

I don't quite understand why it seems at times to be accepted by 'a general listening public' [e.g. not musicians & certainly not drummers] that whilst the rest of a given band plays note for pretty much note what a song is [as defined by a recorded version of it ] - whilst the drummer plays what amounts to degrading, say 'Asturias', into power chords (with half the strings missing) and yet that, that seems to be OK with them?

Whyyyyy...

Thursday 20 October 2011

Mixtape Madness: Songs That Should Be On the Smashing Pumpkins Reissues http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/152708/mixtape-madness-songs-that-should-be-on-the-smashing-pumpkins-reissues/


Tuesday 18 October 2011

Gish and Siamese Dream SPECIAL EDITIONS

Pre-order @ Smashingpumpkins.com

Here's hoping Billy hasn't done a George Lucas

Buy Jimmy Chamberlin's Zwan Kit

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jimmy-Chamberlins-Yamaha-Maple-Custom-Absolute-17pc-Kit-/230688035078?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b6141106

Jimmy Chamberlin's Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute 17pc Kit

Tom Sizes:
5.5x8
8x10
9x13
12x14
15x16
16x18
Single Headed Toms
5.5x8
6x10
8x12
8.5x13
10x14
Gong Bass Drum
18x20
Bass Drums
18x20
18x22
18x24
Snares:
5.5x14
7x14 (Elvin Jones)



Chamberlin Teams with Groupon - Breaks Records

Ex-Smashing Pumpkins drummer Chamberlin partners with Groupon  [http://shar.es/btM6N]  and brings you a a world record breaking 1st event with a screening of "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off" @ Wriggly Field


Guess that maybe why he was hanging about here

Thursday 13 October 2011

Corgan on Jimmy Chamberlin's Return to Smashing Pumpkins

... in 1999 (sorry)

In a recent phone interview, with detnews.com Corgan recalls Jimmy Chamberlin's triumphant return to the band in 1999;
...The Pumpkins had just reunited with drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, and while there were rumors he was back with the band, the audience wasn't sure until Chamberlin sat down behind his kit and pounded out his signature intro to "I Am One."

"I'll tell you what, I've played a couple thousand shows in my life, and the sound that came out of that audience when they realized it was Jimmy on the drums was probably one of the top five moments that I've ever had on stage," says Corgan. "It was a complete joy, it was so beautiful."...
Listen to that moment, here or here

Here's hoping that one day, this moment can be repeated...

Tuesday 11 October 2011

Marathon Man (& Woman)

 Looks like Jimmy and Lori Chamberlin, successfully completed the Chicago half-marathon, which they were running in order to raise funds for Cure JM; a foundation which supports research into finding a cure for juvenile mitosis, a debilitating condition which their son, Lucas, suffers from. They raised over $3,000 for the cause.


Chamberlin Attends Charity Fund-Raiser

On 06 October, Jimmy Chamberlin was in attendance at the "Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center 2011 Momentum Awards Dinner" a fund-raising event attended by 'entrepreneurs, seasoned business people and financial types' according to ChicagoBusiness.com 

Monday 10 October 2011

Billy Corgan Finally Talks some Sense

Q. You're the only original member of The Smashing Pumpkins and I've heard a lot of people say, 'Well, that's not the real Smashing Pumpkins.' What do you say to that?
A. "I say, of course it's not the real Smashing Pumpkins..."

Thursday 6 October 2011

Modern Drummer Reprints an Old Interview with Jimmy Chamberlin

http://www.moderndrummer.com/site/2011/10/drummer-to-drummer-jimmy-chamberlin-and-william-mohler/#.To4mknJ-zcx

William [Billy Mohler]: What advice would you give up-and-coming drummers searching for their own voice?
Jimmy: Don’t go too far into someone else’s trip. Be your own player. You have something inside of you that is special and unlike anything else in this universe. Tap into it. Practice until you can release it. And then unleash it on the world. We’ll be listening!
Take heed, Mike Byrne. 

They also have a cool clip from Gannin Arnold's DVD, if you haven't seen that...

[http://moderndrummer.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/JimmyChamberlin.m4v]

Wednesday 21 September 2011

Tuesday 20 September 2011

[New] Chamberlin in Modern Drummer Interview

HERE in the online portion of their 'Influences' feature
MD: ...What’s your attitude toward other drummers picking up on things you’ve played?  

Jimmy: ...My thing is that I don’t want to sound like anyone else. Even if I have to play sloppy to do it, I’m prepared to do that, because first and foremost what’s important to me is to not sound like anyone else... I often get chastised for telling people that the only point to practising is to learn to be yourself. But I really feel that way. 
Looks like the interview will be expanded in the November issue of MD
(TB: http://www.moderndrummer.com/site/2011/09/jimmy-chamberlin-the-ex-smashing-pumpkins-drummer-takes-a-new-direction-with-skysaw/trackback/)

Thank God JC already ruled this out... unlike some

Thursday 1 September 2011

Smashing Pumpkins Record Club

Smashing Pumpkins are opening up the archives, at last. Head over to SP.com and subscribe now for a previously unreleased and unheard version of Drown and there's an Easter Egg of an early version of Chamberlin's monster grover Geek U.S.A. to boot ...

Wednesday 17 August 2011

Sponsor The Chamberlin Family (Cure JM Foundation)

Chicago Half Marathon & 5K

Hello Dear Friends and Family,
It has been over a year now since Lucas was diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis. What a year it has been. After 8 months of infusions, multiple visits to Children's Hospital, surgeries, biopsies, a few trips to the ER, and 15 months of medicine we haven't reached remission yet, but we are on our way! I am confident that we will hear those words sometime next year. Lucas is a strong boy who amazes us everyday with his incredible willpower and strength to heal. In spite of his condition he was able to spend the winter ski racing and even managed to be the fastest 1-4 year old down hill slalom racer in the country! All thanks to Dr. Pachman at Children's Memorial.
 Jimmy and I are running the Chicago 5k to raise funds for Cure JM. They are the only foundation actively seeking a cure for this awful disease that affects children. Lucas is lucky that he didn't have to spend anytime in a wheelchair. Many kids with JDM are so weak that they cannot even swallow. Dr. Pachman has devoted her life to help these kids get better and have a normal childhood. Let's band together and help this wonderful organization find a cure!
You can donate two ways. The simplest is right here by clicking the donate now button. The second is by going directly to http://www.curejm.com/team/donations.htm
If you donate directly on the Cure JM website every penny you donate will go directly to Cure JM!
Thank you!
Jimmy and Lori

Friday 12 August 2011

I'm taking a bit of a break from updating stuff on a super regular basis as, well, I'm a new dad... I'll try and post a weekly round-up of news or such like when time affords.

Cheers & Rock On...

Laters. 

Drevpile

Monday 1 August 2011

oh wait... Drum Channel Roundtable with Jimmy Chamberlin and Jim Keltner!!!

Coming in August - @drumchannel > L.A.M.A. Rountable with Jim Keltner, Jimmy Chamberlin,
Thomas Pridgen & Ralph Humphrey

 Jim Keltner and Jimmy Chamberlin.  

JIM KELTNER and JIMMY CHAMBERLIN 

Edit > 02 August booooo...  looks like it won't be JC anymore, it appears Matt Cameron is stepping in. This is going to be 22nd August...:cry:

Not Much Doin'...

Tuesday 19 July 2011

Wednesday 6 July 2011

Alex Markow Photography: ...Skysaw




Alex Markow Photography: Minus the Bear, Skysaw, and The Constellations at ...: "Ft. Lauderdale, FL- The Minus the Bear show was the last show at Revolution before it would be closed to the public for a month for filming ..."

Monday 4 July 2011

Skysaw @Blackcat Review

Here
...the heavy songs really soared. They had as many as three guitars going at times, but two of them alternated to keyboards (singer Mike Reina spending more time there). I heard a lot of heavy King Crimson when they were rocking. I was thinking third album "Lizard" since the vocals reminded me of Gordon Haskell (one of the early of the revolving door vocalist/bassists). The synthesizer on top of the Yamaha even sounded a bit like a mellotron in one song. The very dense intriguing interplay between these solid musicians really stood out during the finer songs. When they really rocked, I even imagined Radio Birdman trying to cover Golden Earring's "Radar Love" sheet music after only hearing Golden Earring's "Twilight Zone".

Friday 1 July 2011

And now, James Iha...

Just thought I'd link this little interview here - as it seems to me to echo a bit what Jimmy has been saying of late, aside from the band leading stuff, of course.

Thursday 30 June 2011

The Swerve - Skysaw Live Review

Skysaw at Hard Rock Cafe - June 28, 2011
Moar...

...The highlight of the show was "Cathedral." Chamberlin and Anthony Pirog traded riffs throughout until Chamblerlin let loose with a solo that brought the audience to their feet with wild cheers encouraged by Mike Reina. Chamberlin is a musician first, and his skill allows him to forsake the theatrics of other drummers. The ease with which he plays most songs allows the audience to underestimate him until he lets loose with a solo of this caliber.

While it would be great to see Skysaw play Pittsburgh again, hopefully they will land a venue more appropriate for their talent and sound.

Wednesday 29 June 2011

Videos from Jimmy Chamberlin's Skysaw Live

From the 28th June @ the Hard Rock Cafe 2011. Thanks to VastOceanCommuter





'Another' [...Be Specific] Interview with Jimmy Chamberlin

Over at the Washington Post thus;
...You're just going out on short tour. Are you thinking about a full tour later?
...There's lots of ways to put a band over these days. Doing it 200 people at a time doesn't make a lot of sense to me economically, spiritually and energetically. It doesn't add up to what it used to. You used to go out and play to a thousand people and look at [sales figures] the next day and see that 800 of those people went out and bought the record ….For me the idea of going out for two, three years to build a band in sweaty nightclubs, having done that for most of my life and being in my 40s now [is untenable]. It's not that I don't enjoy playing, but I think three good ideas are better than 50 shows ….Part of the reason I left my old band is because it was all encompassing, and I didn't have time for my family. It's just a different set of values.
When you say your old band, do you mean the Pumpkins or Zwan?
No — I was talking about the Pumpkins. Part of the reason that I left the Pumpkins is because it was becoming all-consuming. Being the only member of that band who had two kids and a wife, it was a hard decision, but ultimately it was a decision I'm comfortable with.

Was it hard to decompress from being a Pumpkin? There must have been a level of post-traumatic stress involved.
There was no post-traumatic stress, but there was a level of decompression. It took a while to be like, okay, I do have a family, I do have two kids and a wife. From the start of [Pumpkins album] “Zeitgeist” to the time I left, we had been full tilt for three years. When you have a four year-old son, that's 75% of his life...
 

Tuesday 28 June 2011

Jimmy Chamberlin - Songwriter

Putting the Sophistication back into Society

Check out the full interview, over at Songwriters on Process,  right >here<
Selected morsels >below<

On Skysaw; With a song like "Sad Reasons" on this record, I sat down in my office and just played the song from start from start to finish on my guitar... It didn't involve a lot of process other than making myself available to what was going on around me. That song in particular was a telling exercise because I was interested in how it would change over time after I recorded it and again after I delivered it to the band.  But the first version I laid down in my studio in the basement is the one that made it to the record."
On Tonight Tonight; "...the muse can take many different forms. Ideally, the greatest gift it to be hand-delivered a song from the cosmos and have it be the version. Billy Corgan often writes the same way. Like with "Tonight Tonight," he said he just woke up one morning, went down to the piano, and played it. And much like with a lot of those drum parts that happened in the Pumpkins, the first time he played it for me, the drum part you hear is the first drum part I thought of."
On playing the guitar; "I'm not that sophisticated of a guitar player to be able to come up with ... the riff of the century."
On Tolkien, Thelonious Monk and Mark Twain; In the arranging and production of songs, when I'm building them from the chords up and putting layerings of production in a song, I want to feel like I'm building this Tolkienesque world of music that's available to people on many layers... Thelonius Monk was always good at playing something that on the surface appeared simple, but as you delved deeper you realized that the chord structure on which the melody was based was so complex.. The idea behind playing the drums is to play something simple enough so that people can rhythmically attach to it, but as an artist my job is also to satisfy myself with a sophistication that exists within the music.  Mark Twain invites you into his world with seeming simplicity, but once you get into his writing, you realize how complex it is.
 On Zeitgeist; When I was with the Pumpkins and we did  Zeitgeist, it had been almost seven years since we made the album before it.  So having to go and play that style of drumming again, I was often I was at loggerheads with myself because I was saying, "I don't really play like this anymore..."  It became difficult to mine that stuff from 1996 and relearn how to play like that.  It would be like writing in the style you did when you were a sophomore in college.  That would be difficult since you've moved on...

Again, go check out the full thing. It's rather insightful indeed.

Sunday 26 June 2011