ground zero
A WEEKLY SMASHING PUMPKINS EDITORIAL

April 27, 1998

What makes a band great?

I'm sure that virtually everyone reading this article is a fan of The Smashing Pumpkins. Otherwise, why would you be reading this editorial? I personally think that the Pumpkins are one of the greatest bands of our time. But will the band stand the test of time? Will The Smashing Pumpkins be revered in the future as one of the "great bands" of rock'n'roll history?

The answer to this question will not be answered in this article, of course, but what will be explored is -- what exactly it is that makes a band great?

This is all a matter of opinion, obviously, but this is an editorial page, so here's my take. Bands are usually judged as "great bands" on one or more of the following criteria:

Obviously, these are just some of the ways bands are deemed great. There are other factors to consider, but these (at least in my eyes) seem to be the ones that usually determine if a band has a lasting affect on music listeners years after the members disband. Billy Corgan himself has made it known that he believes that only The Beatles have had a real lasting affect on people's lives.

But will The Smashing Pumpkins, our favorite band, stand the test of time? The Pumpkins certainly have all of the aforementioned qualities of a "great band." Although the band's image has been blemished somewhat with the Jimmy Chamberlin and Jonathan Melvoin incidents, they still hold the image of the quintessential alterna-rockers; Billy Corgan has enough charisma for ten bands. Record sales skyrocketed with Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, and the Pumpkins repeatedly filled stadiums during the entirety of their Infinite Sadness Tour. The Pumpkins have received much critical acclaim, especially with MCIS, and have two Grammys to their name.

Making good music and pushing the creative envelope? The first is obviously true, and The Smashing Pumpkins are a band whose purpose is to push the creative envelope and to explore new musical frontiers. The last -- broad-based appeal that tries the test of time -- is the real question. Ten or twenty years from now, what will people think of this band? Will people still be inspired by their music, or will people just ask, "The Smashing What?"

Who knows? I already think that The Smashing Pumpkins are one of the greatest bands of their generation. Will those in the future think the same? That's open to debate and that's where your feedback comes in.

E-mail me with your comments about the Pumpkins and what you think their status will be in the future -- a tried-and-true "great band," or a forgotten one? Or somewhere in between? E-mail me at michaelday@geocities.com and I'll discuss your opinions and mine in a future column.

 

Feel free to e-mail comments or suggestion to me at michaelday@geocities.com.