"ZEITGEIST SUMMER" continues to sizzle on as today on the 'kast, we delve into 2008's AMERICAN GOTHIC EP. If Zeitgeist was the big swing to prove the Pumpkins still had their rock chops, this iTunes-exclusive continuation of the Zeitgeist project represented the pendulum swinging in the other direction, reestablishing SP's mastery of the "softer" side of things. 

We're filling in the gaps of our Pumpkins history with this one, gang. 2008 was a heady time for your hosts and (in addition to being the year we met!) our Pumpkin antennas were not fully plugged in at the time of its online release. After addressing the ele-font in the room... we have a great time digging deep into this textured, crunchy EP, exploring the meaning of “thrumming” and discussing how "The Rose March" hit Frank at exactly the right moment. 

We'll lay roses at your feet 'til you decide there is something great in you, Pumpkinheads! ❤️

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Fifteen years ago the Pumpkins released their infamous, quasi-political, strangely prescient comeback album, ZEITGEIST. It was originally rolled out in an array of different colored CD and digital versions with slightly different tracklists, but today we're merging them all into one 16-track "complete" version of the album. A sort of unofficial "Rainbow Edition" if you will.   

We dive deep into each of these tracks, really savoring ones like "Stellar" and "Ma Belle" that us basic red-version kids never got to fully experience at the time of the album's release. We also contemplate the massive weight of expectations a band must feel when coming back after seven years sans two original members, the Danny Elfman collab track that almost was, and the hot take: are several of these songs expressions of Billy's love for Jimmy? Discuss. 

All that plus the big questions: Was Zeitgeist Billy's response to the state of the nation...of Rock? Is this a 2000s rock radio album or an ode to rip-ass Scorpions rock of the ’70s and ’80s? And finally, is it STILL considered underrated when most of the fanbase laments its absence from streaming services? This episode has it all, including an interruption from a black cat trying to kill a squirrel in front of us. 

A million watts of sound can't compare... to the fun we had talking about this album! WE. ARE. STARZ. We arrrreeeeeeeee!

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"ZEITGEIST SUMMER" is here, and it's a scorcher! Before Frank and Pat do their deep dive into the 16-track "complete" (all variants merged) version of Zeitgeist, we’re setting the scene and sharing some important background on this momentous, polarizing, rebooted period in SP history. Pat takes some time this week to handle some family stuff back home, but not before sharing his earliest memories of Zeitgeist, an album that carried his young ass from Buffalo to the Big Apple. Back at Pumpkast HQ, Frank is joined by Brian Matthews and Tyler Cardwell of The Discographers podcast, who were kind enough to help introduce the album and share some factual and personal history about it... along with a little "Gossamer" praise for good measure.  

Call up Paris Hilton on your Blackberry Razr, slather on that sunscreen and join Lady Liberty for a dip in our rising oceans 'cause Zeitgeist Summer has officially begun! Come on, let's GO! 

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It's been a while, but it's a new listener profile and today Frank talks to a one-of-a-kind Pumpkins fan...

Hairstylist by Day, Burlesque by Night, Activist ALL the time...the Smashing Pumpkin of Bump & Grind...Mone't Ha-Sidi!

Frank and Mone't chat about the highs and lows of being a Black Woman in Pumpkin fandom, making Pumpkins friends for life, ticket-buying etiquette, the lack of love for Josh Groban at a Bridge School Benefit show (the band DID notice) and how unfair it is that the Pumpkins don’t get the proper accolades they deserve as some bands do.

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The Rock Invasion 2 Tour has wrapped and today on the 'kast we take some time to talk about our weekend seeing the Pumpkins live for the first time in almost 4 years! 

Also, Frank does some live-on-the-scene interviews with listeners at the Santa Barbara Bowl show, we chat with Jacob Givens at the Beachlife Festival and we hear some listener-submitted stories about their Rock Invasion 2 experiences. 

Thanks to listeners Evangelina, Matt G., Kim, Hendrix, Brittany, Clay, Eve, Fuzz Esco, Angel, Jack, Jude, Pam, Peter, Brian, Justin, Anonymous, Scott, Paqui, Ryan, Ryan G for being a part of this episode! 

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JACK BATES returns to the Pumpkast, fresh off the Rock Invasion 2 Tour and GETTING MARRIED?! We have a wonderful chat about Pumpkins, Peter Hook and the Light, Man U and fear of 5 string basses. Enjoy!

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The Shredder himself was kind enough to check in with us (during a rare moment of downtime) to give an update about the incredible Rock Invasion 2 tour and how it's been going from the band's perspective. We talk zig-zagging these United States, the differences between the primary shows and festival sets, gear stuff, how the band felt during the storm delay in Memphis and more. Jeff also teases a teeny bit about the big Fall tour with Jane's Addiction, and rightfully steers clear of giving up too much on the song “Beguiled” and what it was doing on the rehearsal setlist.

It takes a lot of effort for us not to just GUSH about the level the band is performing at these days... Did we succeed? YOU DECIDE!

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DISCLAIMER: We recorded this on Frank's iPhone in Pat's car, so the audio is a little rougher than usual.

Your boys at the Pumpkast got to attend the Pumpkins performance at The Late Late Show with James Corden. We almost didn't make it, but we lived to tell the tale! Enjoy. 

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A misunderstood and underappreciated album for its time? Sounds like our Billy! Today on the 'kast we're discussing Billy Corgan's first solo outing, TheFutureEmbrace. An underrated "electronic" (but having more in common with shoegaze) album featuring some refreshing, surprising elements that for whatever reason (many reasons) didn't resonate with the public and some fans at the time. It also didn't help that Billy announced the reformation of the Pumpkins the day of the album's release, possibly undercutting any deeper and repeated dives listeners would have given it. Lucky for you, THE SMASHING PUMPKAST exists and WE'RE taking that deep dive into an album there's LOTS love about. Or dare we say...embrace? 

We also talk about the "bonus" track "Tilt" and ponder if it suffered the same fate as "Let Me Give The World To You." All things change, including one's experience with this album over time. Enjoy!

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Hard to believe but today marks the SECOND ANNIVERSARY of the official launch of The Smashing Pumpkast! We could think of no better way to mark the occasion than with our brand new interview with the phenomenal Jeff Schroeder! 

Jeff sits down with us to discuss everything from his unique musical contributions to The Smashing Pumpkins to the benefits of having a guitar teacher with a vast musical palette (and a No-Wave band). We also talk about the Importance of mental health and Jeff's work with the Continuance Foundation (https://www.thecontinuancefoundation.com), which Mellon Collie-era songs he'd 'Love' to play live and the Herculean effort that is working on a 33-song concept album remotely during a pandemic.

We also ask Jeff about his underrated but influential early band "The Lassie Foundation" and how it feels to see people revisit and reassess moments in the SP catalog years later. He's more than a shredder, he's a stone-cold artist and real gentleman. We had such a great time chatting with him. Thanks, Jeff.

Thanks so much to everyone who's supported us over the past two years! MORE TO COME! 

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