How Siamese Dream Nearly Broke Billy Corgan

The Smashing Pumpkins were formed in 1988 Chicago by frontman Billy Corgan and guitarist James Iha. Not long after, bassist D'Arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlain joined up as well. Almost immediately, the band began attracting local buzz, boasting an incredibly distinctive sound. Smashing Pumpkin's 1991 debut Gish, produced by the legendary Butch Vig, was a promising start for the band. Featuring hard rock flair coupled with Shoegaze sensitivity. Gish was a unique album, released just ahead of the Grunge movement that would soon take over the rock world. But the Pumpkins were a different breed.

Coming off Gish, The Smashing Pumpkins were signed to a major label. This was a significant turning point for the band, which brought massive pressure. The follow-up had to take the Pumpkins to the next level, there was no other way around it. This pressure not only led to internal conflict within the band, but conflict within it's core songwriter. Billy Corgan went through a rough period, riddled with depression, along with writer's block that rendered him creatively bankrupt. But fortunately, this dark period would lead to a huge breakthrough for Billy, as he channeled his angst into the track "Today." A song that would ignite the airwaves at a time in which Alternative Rock was booming.

Though a troubled time for Smashing Pumpkins, their 1993 sophomore record, Siamese Dream, was not only a successful follow-up to Gish. But a huge hit that contained some Alt Rock classics. "Cherub Rock", "Disarm" and "Today" took the band to rock's upper echelon, effectively making them a household name.

The Siamese Dream era of Smashing Pumpkins history was tumultuous, but ultimately rewarding. Not only commercially, but creatively. Once again at the production helm, Butch Vig along with Billy Corgan created a rock masterpiece that still holds up 30 years later.

CHAPTERS |
0:57: Formation
2:44: Gish
5:40: The Troubled Making of Siamese Dream
10:12: The Songs
13:30: Conclusion

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