(This post consists of a journal entry/show review. Words and photos by Count Blood.)
3/28/2016- The real fun happened in San Francisco on Friday, March 25th. SMASHING PUMPKINS at The Masonic. It was another mind blowing experience. Their third show of the Electro/Acoustic IN PLAINSONG tour, which kicked off three days earlier on March 22nd in Portland, Oregon.
I was on BART in the early afternoon, riding out to The City, when I received a text from Britt asking me where I was. he was already at the venue, so once I exited at Montgomery Street, I hustled to the top of Nob Hill, and made it in quick time to California Street.
This was my first time at The Masonic, and it looked really impressive from the outside. While I waited for Britt, I saw the two Smashing Pumpkins ladies on the tour, (Sierra Swan and Katie Cole,) deal with their luggage outside of the tour bus. Both appeared disorganized as they walked the thirty yards to the front door of the venue with their suitcases. Then, seeming like they each forgot something, they turned around and walked back to the bus, only to repeat the process. It was slightly amusing to watch. (Though I became a fan of both via YouTube the day before, I elected to not say anything that night.)
Britt came outside to get me, and his All Access pass got us both inside, just like that. I was amazed. We walked backstage to see if guitarist Jeff Schroeder was in his dressing room. He was not, but drummer Jimmy Chamberlin was there. Britt struck up a conversation with him, and they talked for a few minutes. I waved hello, but didn't say much.
We made our way to the auditorium, where Jeff was onstage, sound checking. He was playing a white Stratocaster. The stage lights were beaming down, it was a cool atmosphere. I said hello and shook Schroeder's hand.
He said to me, "You've got tickets, but you don't have to watch the show from out there, you can watch from the stage." How cool is that?!?!?!? The only problem was that I wanted to take photos with my good camera, after being denied at a few recent shows.
I replied timidly, "Well, I want to take photos," so Jeff says, "Then you'll have to do it from out there." No problem! I was just elated to bust out my Canon in a concert situation at last.
Britt and I went down to catering. I didn't feel like eating, but grabbed a cup of coffee and appreciated the hot java.
-Back to the auditorium, Billy Corgan, Sierra Swan, and Katie Cole walked onstage to sound check. I decided to stay out of their line of sight, which was a wise move. Anyone who wandered in and sat down was immediately hustled out. I listened from the side of Stage Left, and the band sounded great. Jimmy Chamberlin joined them onstage for a cover of 'Malibu' by HOLE.
People would have KILLED to be where I was sitting. A little later, Britt and I walked through the lobby and saw the line for the V.I.P. Meet And Greet- it had to be 50-65 people deep of a bunch of smiling, nervous, excited fans clutching their 'In Plainsong' tour posters. I watched the Q & A with Billy Corgan later on YouTube, and he was frank with the fans, admitting things like "I don't get millennials."
He also regaled a tale of running into an old/outdated fan at the airport who was clutching an infant and asking for a photo with the frontman. Corgan responded, "I will take a photo with you, but it can't be a selfie." The woman seemed perplexed by this 'No Selfie' rule and after registering a confused look, simply abandoned her request.
-Britt and I hung outside for awhile, where Britt told me about a car accident he got into ealier in the day on California Street. We went inside for dinner at Band Catering. I was impressed as I traversed the buffet line, (I had a salad and fish on Good Friday.) I sat down at a round table with Jeff, Britt, Schroeder's guitar tech Mike, and a guy who was trying to sell Jeff some guitar pedals.
Dinner was interesting, lots of talk of Guitar Gods, including the time George Lynch played with The Smashing Pumpkins. (Somehow, the 'Paris Is Burning' shredder mistakenly thought he was being groomed to join the band.)
One of Billy's good friends joined us at the table, but did not look well- said he's had bad oysters the night before.
Jimmy Chamberlin sat at the table next to us, but then joined us and sat next to me. He was talkative, so I asked him if he had to restrain his playing during these acoustic sets, but he said it was just different. He also talked about his jazz band back home in Chicago, and the New York/Japan tour they've got lined up after the SP run.
Chamberlin also told me about now playing Sakae drums, after being with Yamaha for many years. He said Sakae was the original maker of Yamaha drums, but the Sakae team left in 2013, feeling that Yamaha was being over-commercialized, and Jimmy followed.
-At 6:30 p.m., I said I was going to pick up my tickets and passes. (Thank you, Mr. Schroeder!)
I grabbed my camera out of the dressing room, and then it was time to leave the band alone. Britt and I went to locate some friends of his who were coming to the show. (One of whom received my extra ticket.)
I found my seat, which was in the ninth row, and it was killer! The show was sold out, and the excitement was palpable, with a lot of elated Smashing Pumpkins fans inside the ornate auditorium.
Opener Liz Phair took the stage at 8:00 p.m., dealing out a solo performance. With each song, she'd alternate electric guitar/acoustic guitar. Liz had a hit album in the 1990's with 'Exile In Guyville,' but I am not sure what she's done since.
Her music was good, it sounded honest. Was this her comeback attempt? I have no idea. She seemed in good spirits, although people were shuffling to their seats during most of her set. (Earlier, Britt and I walked past the diminutive Liz backstage, where she was seemingly locked out of her own dressing room.)
Smashing Pumpkins had a nine p.m. start time. Billy Corgan walked out on stage alone, wielding an acoustic guitar. There was quite a cheer for the frontman, and the first four songs were a solo affair. It was cool to see how strong these numbers are with just one man and a guitar. It was very captivating.
It was for the fifth number that Jeff Schroeder appeared, for a cover of David Bowie's 'Space Oddity,' which is also on the 'Oceania Live' Blu/DVD/CD. The San Francisco version was excellent, of course, with the moody, atmospheric lighting and dramatic backdrop of blossoming trees. The Pumpkins delivery of the song featured FANTASTIC guitar interplay between Corgan and Schroeder.
(Most of all, I was happy to finally hear a MALE tribute to the recently deceased David Bowie, (01/10/2016.) I was getting tired of Lady Gaga and Lorde appropriating the legacy of the Thin White Duke.)
'SOMA' was up a few songs later, and this is when the rest of the group strolled onstage- Jimmy Chamberlin, Sierra Swan, and Katie Cole.
'Sorrows' introduced another backdrop change, a forlorn tree reminiscent of the cover of the first TROUBLE album. (Chicago Metal.) Schroeder handled 100% guitar duties, while Billy served as lead singer to a sea of shrieking fans. Katie and Sierra put down their instruments to serve up some backing vocals. This was followed by 'Eye,' another deep cut, from the David Lynch film 'Lost Highway.'
I was enthralled with an AWESOME rendition of 'Stand Inside Your Love,' with Katie Cole handling co-lead vocals. I love this song! (From 'Machina/The Machines of God.')
The Wild Card tune of the tour was unveiled with a HOLE cover, (the Billy Corgan co-write of 'Malibu.' It was quite a rousing rendition. Driving and rocking, with Ms. Cole's vocal talents on full display. I was never a Hole fan, but this powerful performance had me re-thinking this tune.
Next up was 'Spaniards,' arguably the most electric song of the night. Jeff and Billy were banging out dual, intense, pyro-filled six string leads with a blue light hue and starry backdrop- Photo Op alert!
The band left the stage for a few minutes then returned for the final two numbers. First up was the doleful 'Angie, (a ROLLING STONES cover,) and concluding with 'Amaranthine,' which is not only a new tune, but the 26th song of the evening.
The glorious applause at the end signaled a very happy audience and a concert that was a triumph of artistic integrity.
I stepped into the hallway to witness the exiting, happy masses, just to get a look at their elated faces. I took a peek at the mile-long line for merch. Great concert, terrific venue, it was cool!
After most had streamed out, I headed backstage. I didn't know where Britt was, and the door of Dressing Room #2 was shut. I certainly wasn't going to barge in, let alone knock.
I somehow figured out that Jeff, Britt, and Britt's friends were hanging out next to the production office. (When I saw Tour Manager Doug, I said to him "I saw your name in the Hardcore DEVO credits!) Like a fireworks barge that needs to cool down after a display, Jeff was unwinding, and the conversation revolved around Britt's caffeineated antics of the past. There was a lot of laughter.
The Smashing Pumpkins tour bus was rolling out quickly, so there wasn't a lot of hangout time. Britt and his friends took a token photo with Jeff. I thanked Schroeder profusely for the show, and then Britt and I hit the road- (meaning trying to figure out which parking garage Britt was parked in!)
