The Smashing Pumpkins, the band in that time wasn't really known for being a grunge band, but in that era, grunge was known for whiney vocals and rough guitar riffs, and the band definitley had both. Enough to make it on the grunge movement website.
The band is made up of lead singer and guitarist Billy Corgan, rhythm guitarist James Iha, bassist D'arcy Wretzky, bassist Melissa Auf De Maur, and long time drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.
After the break up of Billy Corgan's gothic band 'The Marked' he want back to Chicago and found a job in a record store, that is where he met James Iha. The duo performed live for the first time on July 9, 1988 at the Polish bar Chicago 21. This performance included only Corgan and Iha with a drum machine. Shortly after, Corgan met D'arcy Wretsky, and then to find out she played bass guitar, they recruited her quickly. The trio played a show at the Avalon Nightclub, after the show Cabret Metro owner Joe Shanahan agreed to book the band, as long as they replace their drum machine with an actual drummer. Jazz drummer Jimmy Chamberlin was recommended by a friend of Corgan's, he then soon joined the band.
In 1989, The Smashing Pumpkins made their first appearance on record with the compilation album 'Light Into Dark', which featured several Chicago alternative bands. The group released its first single, "I Am One", in 1990 on local Chicago label Limited Potential. The single sold out and they released a follow-up, "Tristessa", on Sub Pop after which they signed to Caroline Records.
In 1991 the band released to album 'Gish'. Gish became a minor success, with the single "Rhinoceros" receiving some airplay on modern rock radio. Soon after releases the EP 'Lull', the band signed with Virgin Records, which affiliated with Caroline Records. With the popularity of the grunge era, the band was destined to be popular in commercial success, Bill Corgan claimed "We've graduated now from the next Jane's Addiction' to 'the next Nirvana,' now we're 'the next Pearl Jam.'"
The band would continue on even after breaking-up, making albums such as the popular Siamese Dreams, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Adore, Machina/The Machines of God, Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music, Zeitgeist, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, and Oceania.
The band still gets together, with a different bassist Nicole Fiorentino, and different rhythm guitarist Jeff Schroeder.
They still continue playing amazing live shows, on occassions.
The band is made up of lead singer and guitarist Billy Corgan, rhythm guitarist James Iha, bassist D'arcy Wretzky, bassist Melissa Auf De Maur, and long time drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.
After the break up of Billy Corgan's gothic band 'The Marked' he want back to Chicago and found a job in a record store, that is where he met James Iha. The duo performed live for the first time on July 9, 1988 at the Polish bar Chicago 21. This performance included only Corgan and Iha with a drum machine. Shortly after, Corgan met D'arcy Wretsky, and then to find out she played bass guitar, they recruited her quickly. The trio played a show at the Avalon Nightclub, after the show Cabret Metro owner Joe Shanahan agreed to book the band, as long as they replace their drum machine with an actual drummer. Jazz drummer Jimmy Chamberlin was recommended by a friend of Corgan's, he then soon joined the band.
In 1989, The Smashing Pumpkins made their first appearance on record with the compilation album 'Light Into Dark', which featured several Chicago alternative bands. The group released its first single, "I Am One", in 1990 on local Chicago label Limited Potential. The single sold out and they released a follow-up, "Tristessa", on Sub Pop after which they signed to Caroline Records.
In 1991 the band released to album 'Gish'. Gish became a minor success, with the single "Rhinoceros" receiving some airplay on modern rock radio. Soon after releases the EP 'Lull', the band signed with Virgin Records, which affiliated with Caroline Records. With the popularity of the grunge era, the band was destined to be popular in commercial success, Bill Corgan claimed "We've graduated now from the next Jane's Addiction' to 'the next Nirvana,' now we're 'the next Pearl Jam.'"
The band would continue on even after breaking-up, making albums such as the popular Siamese Dreams, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Adore, Machina/The Machines of God, Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music, Zeitgeist, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, and Oceania.
The band still gets together, with a different bassist Nicole Fiorentino, and different rhythm guitarist Jeff Schroeder.
They still continue playing amazing live shows, on occassions.