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| Smashing Pumkins,
Dominion Theatre, London |
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| Live,
Dan Wolff,
20 January 1999 |
Rating: F4
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There is a hugh question mark hanging over tonights' performance after the cancellation of the previous nights' show at the Manchester Apollo due to frontman Billy Corgan having 'a throat infection.'There seemed to be little evidence of this as the band played better then they have for many years with Corgan screaming even more than usual. The band seemed tighter as a four piece, as opposed to a stage full of extras when then played the Sheperds Bush Empire a few years back, which is impressive given yet another line up change. Out goes the peronality-free D'Arcy, in comes ex-Hole bassist Melisa Auf Der Maur (having previously worked with Courtney Love and now notorious tantrum-thrower Corgan, this woman must enjoy challenges). There is also a deserved warm return for sacked drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, looking strangely like a blonde Pee-Wee Herman, who was dismissed after being found to use heroin (usually a requirement for a rock band).
The band do take the stage to an elated sold out crowd and open with a number of songs from their forthcoming album MACHINA/Machines Of God.'Everlasting Gaze' and 'Heavy Metal Machine' show they have rightfully ditched their previous acoustic-led direction shown on the overlong and frankly boring previous album Adore and have since been fed on a diet of Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. The more familiar songs such as 'Tonight,Tonight'and 'Zero' go down even better as the band seem to relax a bit and, shock/horror, actually look like they are enjoying themselves. This is evidential when half way through the set they play 'Rock On' by that world famous rock God...David Essex! The band remind us of how brilliant their early songs were by digging out 'I Am One' and 'Cherub Rock' making them sound more powerful than ever.
As they finish the main set with the new 'I Of The Mourning,' stools are placed on the stage for when they return to do an acoustic version of possibly their best song to date,1979. A song as glorious and majestic as this makes it almost seem justifiable that they are one of the biggest bands around.They end the set after one hour 45 minutes with a punishing version of Bullet With Butterfly Wings which seems to shake the whole room, then leave Corgan to blow us all kisses and wave goodbye in much the same way as an actor leaving a play during a standing ovation. Rumours of more dates later in the year and festival appearances will hopefully be confirmed soon. Just bring the TCP this time.
22/01/00
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