Obviously my first reaction to hearing about Billy Corgan’s July 2nd Toronto performance was one of elation unbound. The venue, though – that suprised me. The Wife and I went to a wedding at The Carlu back in January, and were suitably impressed by it’s unique decor. The place is slathered in art deco straight out of 1930s Hollywood. I’m not familiar with what kind of an arrangement they have there for shows of this nature, but I expect it to be a very intimate performance. I shamefully missed the presale but managed to secure some tickets this morning.

Billy’s new solo album, TheFutureEmbrace, hits stores June 21st. Based on what I’ve heard, it’s as if Adore and the more electropop sounds of Machina|The Machines of God had converged. The question you must ask yourself while listening to it, though, is whether you’re a Smashing Pumpkins fan or a Billy Corgan fan.

If there are any Billy Corgan fans in the audience, they might be interested in some text he has been posting the last few days over at his website. These aren’t the little “here’s what I’m up to” snippets that were posted in the past – excluding of course his calling out of D’Arcy as a spiteful, vindictive bitch – these are stream of consciousness ramblings that take us inside particluar periods of his life. In his own words, this is to be “a story of rags to riches to expensive rags”.

Now, as I’ve discussed with others, Billy starting up these weblog “confessions” in earnest could be viewed cynically as an attempt to garner interest in preparation for the release of his new album this June. Furthermore, why publish them on the web at all? Even though I got his book of poetry as a gift I would have gladly paid money for it. As a fan that’s been with him since I saw the “Rhinoceros” video on MuchMusic in grade 8, I could easily sit here and argue the legitimacy of these writings as those handed down in the purest form. Though all you have to do is read it yourself to realize their sincerity. I don’t think he wants sympathy or your money; rather, I think the fallout of Zwan and this new record has spawned some introspective phase that he wants to share with the fans and hardly works as a marketing concept. We’re probably the only ones that would care enough to read them all anyway.

Not many people understand Billy Corgan the musician, and he says himself it’s a result of pushing everyone away – including his bandmates. The tour for Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, and the subsequent recording of Adore was probably the band’s toughest time, and despite knowing the story more or less it was an interesting read. Many critics say that the Pumpkins “quitting” the music industry because they couldn’t compete with the current singles-driven artists was a cop-out; I used to agree. Now I realize that was the only thing he could do, because the relationship with his bandmates was strained at best. Thinking Billy might shape Zwan into what the Pumpkins might of been had they continued was foolish of me – it would have never worked, Billy was too driven and controlling at that point, having all but eliminated the other members from the creative process. So again they had no choice. Releasing an album of his own material is just a natural progression.

Consider this a brief detour from the site’s regular content, but to say that I am not fascinated with Billy Corgan the musician, the artist, the anti-hero of rock would be lying. Look at the god damned name of this place. It’s a given that I’ll be first in line to buy his new album, but in the interim I’m curious to see what else he decides to reveal.

I declare myself of faith

Where did this site come from? Where? Have I been too transfixed on gaming? How is it that the anti-hero of modern rock has had his very own home on the web for a week without me knowing about it? It’s a bit on the unattractive side, but I’m pretty keen on the blog-style content.

After the breakup of Zwan, Billy hinted pretty heavily about going solo. But I didn’t expect him to head into the studio this soon. Corgan notes: “I am excited to work on this music, because for the first time in my life it will be my tunes with no compromises to anyone or anything. It’s gonna be loud and beautiful and poetic and dumb. Just the way I like it.”

Technically this is his first solo project, but as he said himself in the interview many people – including former Pumpkins and Zwan bandmates – would argue otherwise. With Corgan now finally having complete creative control over his musical vision, I expect nothing less than greatness from his new record.

you know I’m not dead

Rolling Stone crapped out a newsbite noting that Billy Corgan has added guitar to a track on the upcoming album by Blindside that’s due next year. Sure I’m a fanboy – and this is the same reason I bought New Order’s Get Ready. Not because it’s a mediocre album that averages out my collection, but because our anti-hero of rock sings in two songs, and provides guitar and keyboards for most of the record. He even toured with them that year. Do you understand why the breakup of Zwan fucking kills me? I had to listen to that shit for a full two years before I got more official Corgan material.

Today I received some most unfortunate news. It’s official; Billy has decided to dissolve Zwan.

Back in 2000 when I heard that the Pumpkins were on their final tour after formally announcing their lame excuses for breaking up the band, I was saddened, but glad that I would be able to see them at Summersault 2000. In hindsight, I was completely into their performance, but I can see why a lot felt that it was sub par. Hey, at least he waved goodbye to everyone when they had played their final encore. Only to break down sobbing after their final performance ever at The Metro in Chicago later that year.

And now he’s doing it again with Zwan? Sure, they weren’t together for that long so I doubt it was a very sorrowful goodbye for any of the members. But what about the fans, Billy? As soon as I heard about this new project, I was waiting for the Second Coming. And for all intents and purposes, for me it was. Zwan’s first album was fantastic, and I completely rocked out during their Toronto show back in March (although the crowd were a bunch of dimwits that had no idea what they were witnessing, they were too busy posing).

Maybe I’m taking this a bit too hard, but it seems to me that Billy is just giving up. He says he’s going to get into poetry or some shit, maybe a solo career. But we need a band, Billy. Already the members of Zwan are going their separate ways. The dream is dying and it breaks my fucking heart.

a little sunshine, just to butter my toast.