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I agree. I don’t really think its worth obsessing over. I know some fans talk about him like he is God or something and get all bent out of shape if the press makes negative remarks. There is no point in it though. Most fans have never met the guy, they just know him through his public persona. I think he deserves respect for his artistic expression, but other than that I’m not really concerned with how he is at home.
I know there has always been a lot of stuff said about Billy being rude, etc. and now there is that koala article saying he is difficult. I’m not really sure what I think about it all though. There are times when he seems sincere and friendly enough, other times not so much. I love the music, but I’m not always sure about his personal character- usually waver on that one. I think maybe he is just easily irritated with some people, but he is in the public eye, so its blown up. He is also really passionate about things, especially his music, and has never really been the type to keep these views to himself. Mostly I just chock his eccentricities up to being an artist. After all there is a long history of creative types being a bit testy at times. So basically I say love the music, respect the man, and forget the rest.
I actually posted that on smashingpumpkins.com. I don’t know whats with the background, but I thought the picture was cute.
The Jesus one is funny.
You should. It’s a great album. Their newer stuff is a little different then their earlier album and singles, but worth checking out, too.
They are a relatively new British band, but are quite popular in the UK and Europe. They kind of have this jerky, spiky indie guitar rock sound mixed with London dance electronica- a little hard to describe unless you have heard them. They have sited Sonic Youth, Radiohead, Joy Division, and yes, Smashing Pumpkins, as musical influences, if it helps. Bloc Party has a relatively unique sound (a little post punk), and is a great band. Maybe, you should give them a listen. They are one of my favorites. They only have two albums so far- Silent Alarm (a little rawer, more guitar heavy) and A Weekend In the City (more experimental, electronic elements). They have some great B-sides, too, and a couple of EP releases.
It’s a book/CD combo by Jim Stapleton. It’s called Smashing Pumpkins Fully Illustrated Book & Interview Disc. The publisher is Carlton Books and Sound and Media, and the cover is blue and has a picture of Billy on it (zero shirt).
TEITBITE, not the best video (nor the worst). The song has such beautiful imagery- they could have done something better with it.
Now back on topic.
The most recent item I bought was the Hut double disc Adore with the interview CD. While listening to the interview disc I discovered James likes to listen to Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Go figure.
In that Jim Stapleton book with the interview disc, the topic of dresses is discussed. Here are some Billy quotes that might explain it.
\"I have a hard time thinking of men trying to sing my songs, because I think my perspective is feminine.\" (p 59)
\"For me, the idea of having a feminine perspective is a willingness to be vulnerable. It’s very easy to c@ck-rock and posture. I can’t help but wear my heart on my sleeve- I’m like nerve endings. That’s just the way I am and, to me, that’s very female because it’s not a male thing to do. A male thing would be to f@#*!n posture.\" (p 59-61)
\"I recognize that element in myself and I just call it feminine because that’s the part of myself that I would link it to- a softer, gentler side […] maybe the contrast of a male upbringing is, to me, being simply female.\" (p 61)
I think the dresses are simply his way of expressing his inner duality and an emotional vulnerability. The book also refers to Courtney Love and Darcy, who helped him think of rock outside of male terms. The dresses, in part, seems to also be an attempt to avoid your typical male oriented rock.
