Billy Corgan Plays Unreleased Pre-Smashing Pumpkins Songs Live

Photo Credit: Alyssa Fried

Over the course of the last two weekends, Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan played a series of four solo acoustic sets at his Madame Zuzu’s tea shop in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park. He performed under the banner of William Patrick Corgan Early Years 1985-1990, and the sets were described as more of a blast from the past, from a time between 1985 and 1990 that Corgan was exploring his musicality, yet to release even his first album. In line with the explanation provided about the shows, Corgan played a number of songs from his “pre-Pumpkins goth rock band the Marked, as well as a number of early Pumpkins tracks,” according to stereogum.com.

The affairs were overall intimate, with Corgan being seen in the videos sitting with his voice, a guitar and his songs. This stripped down version of his early years of exploration allowed his audience to feel closer to the singer, who has gone on to create smash hits with his various bands.

Smashing Pumpkins have been busy, recently performing at Riot Fest, where the band performed their famous song “Quiet” for the first time in 27 years. Corgan has also sold some of his gear from the Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness Tour through reverb.com.

Photo Credit Alyssa Fried

Michelle Leidecker: Michelle Leidecker is a student writer based in New York City studying at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU. Growing up, she was a classically trained cellist, but pivoted into more modern music spheres, playing in a band and taking up music marketing. Always having a passion for writing and for music, she enjoys writing and reading about music whether it be for school or publications such as mxdwn. She hopes to continue on her path of writing and marketing within the music industry and being surrounded by music in her daily life. When she's not writing, you can find her trying new restaurants, travelling, and on her multiple social media accounts.
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