The 'Smashing Pumpkins' will be here on August 7/ Letters on Stephanie Trick

The following essay is by Joseph R. Atilano, an authority on popular music.

For most of us who are in our late 20’s to early 30’s, we definitely know who the Smashing Pumpkins are! No need for introductions of the original members; neither a need to provide a historical background on the formation of the band because Wikipedia is always there for those purposes. Direct knowledge is needed this time to be able to give an actual point of view and not a mere rehash of the band’s career history. Besides, their music was part of our generation: We lived through that time. We were aware enough to know how good they were then. And we know how influential they have become to bands that came after them. At the center of all this is the lead singer and guitarist Billy Corgan. He is considered by many music critics to be one of the most gifted lyricists of his time. By now, Billy Corgan may not be as young as he was once before, but his talent has never faded — depending, of course, on who you ask. After the band broke up, their music remained to be an important piece of alternative rock history.

The band remained a strong commodity to their label and the fans still wanted to hear more of the Smashing Pumpkins, and in the meantime, fans had to be contented with album releases of rarities and ‘greatest hits’ compilations. The demand to hear new and unreleased music from the band was still there because frankly, there is greatness that surrounds the name of the Smashing Pumpkins. It was disheartening for me that personal differences and substance abuse separated the band and longtime fans were left to wonder what the band could have been more had they not broken up. Looking back at those years, I thought the chances of the “Smashing Pumpkins” ever getting back together as a whole unit became an impossibility. But time indeed changes everything and when the news came out that Billy Corgan wanted to reform the classic lineup of the band in 2005, he was only able to get back Jimmy Chamberlain, the original drummer. But from there on, it had to do, and it was all forward-thinking for Billy Corgan. His desire to be in a band again was evident and an eventual release of a comeback album was bound to happen and that’s when ‘Zeitgeist’ was released sometime in 2007. This signaled that the band was all back together — well, sort of. It isn’t to say of course that Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlain were not supported by touring musicians who can at the very least fill in for the vacant roles left by original bassist D’arcy Wretzky, and original guitarist James Iha since he was busy with “A Perfect Circle.”

The final decision was made to keep the Smashing Pumpkins name. This taught us another valuable lesson about rock history when it comes to matters like band break ups and decisions whether to reform or not. When bands lose most of their members, they can still manage to go on to achieve success, and even to reach greater heights on a few occasions – especially in this case, because the Smashing Pumpkins was such a great band and they were in the prime of their careers. And it made me think how lucky we were that we were able to have collected their records from the 90’s. It was their album “Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness” that gave me my first taste of what was the ideal and unique sound of a Pumpkins record, and it became a basis for comparison from there on, for me. I’ve got to admit their album “Viva Adore” released in 1999 wasn’t quite what I had expected - but Billy Corgan being the artist he is who can provide some of the most literate, thought-provoking and deep lyrics of his time, wanted to explore another direction to their sound. And that is what he exactly did. This move may have perplexed a lot of their fans as evidenced by the poor reception the album “Viva Adore” got. But if you can’t take any risks as an artist, then it limits your growth and in my opinion, he did not want to be “boxed in” as to what he is supposed to be. I became a fan of their music when I first got to listen to their album “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” and I think a lot of people in my age group during that time got their first exposure to the band’s music from said acclaimed album. Still and all, they have had longtime fans who took notice of the band even in their earliest phases and career beginnings and that goes back to their first two albums “Gish” and “Siamese Dream”. These albums made the band’s name “a name to be reckoned with” and this was in the 90’s when there was a ton of great bands. Competition was tough and to truly make it during that time was so much easier said than done. But it was just a matter of time before the Smashing Pumpkins would be connected to greatness, even if it was just for the first three albums. I honestly believe Billy Corgan has become one of the most important vocalists in rock history! He is in that short list of vocalists who are often cited among influences for a lot of young musicians growing up during the 90’s. Who can forget their popular hits and the music videos that go along with them? Because when it came to the visual artistry and creativity in their music videos, they were on a different level as compared to some of their contemporaries.

The time for us to watch them live has finally come! The Smashing Pumpkins will be coming to Manila soon. This is an opportunity that rarely comes and whether you have been a longtime fan or are recently rediscovering their past albums, this upcoming concert will surely bring back memories and nostalgia will be in the air at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Come join us on August 7 as we turn back the hands of time even for one night by watching with us the Smashing Pumpkins concert and share the music that we enjoyed during our youth. Who knows, this may be the only time we will get to see them perform here? For ticket orders and reservations contact: (Charlemagne) - 09178334223. Ticket prices: VIP-(Limited standing section) patron - 4,875; (standing section) lower box - 3,735; (reserved seats) upper a, 1,845; (free seating) upper b, 1,045; (free seating) gallery - 585 (free seating). * Prices are inclusive of TicketNet charges. TicketNet - 9115555 * Little Asia is the presenter and official caterer for the Smashing Pumpkins.

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Dear Ms. Orosa:

Warm greetings from St. Louis, Missouri, I am Alina Marcilla Trick, Stephanie Trick’s mother, and I come from Pasig City, Philippines. Our family lives in St. Louis, Missouri, US.

I would like to express my gratitude to you for the Sundry Strokes column which featured Mr. Joseph R. Atilano’s wonderful essay on Stephanie Trick. Last May 10.

Mr. Atilano captured the essence of why Stephanie plays the piano the way she does — through dedication and hard work. Thank you very much for recognizing the gift of music that Stephanie has been blessed with. It’s a gift from God that needs to be shared. When Stephanie was interviewed over a TV in St. Louis as a rising star in jazz, she said she likes to make people happy, and playing the music she plays makes people happy.

Stephanie just returned from the Breda Jazz Festival in Holland a few days ago. She was given the Kobe-Breda Jazz Friendship Award for 2012, and she will be playing at the Kobe Jazz Street festival in Japan this October. It would be a timely opportunity for the Filipino community to get to know and hear Stephanie in that part of Asia.

Again, thank you very much. Sincerely yours, Alina Marcilla Trick

Dear Ms. Orosa:

I would like to thank you for Joseph R. Atilano’s feature on Stephanie Trick - The Stride-Piano Wonder. It is a very wonderful piece on Stephanie’s amazing gift of music. She is my niece, a Fil-A who is beginning to be recognized abroad. She’s been performing in Italy, Switzerland, Holland and France, Germany and the US. She just returned from Holland and will go to perform for our local audience. We hope you can feature her here as an inspiration to the youth for her fantastic talent. Mrs. Violeta M. Garcia, Pasay City