You might be asking yourself “what is this gobbled-guck?” or perhaps pleading that this is “not another critical review of Zeitgeist”. It isn’t. Although Billy Corgan is doing well enough with his new Pumpkins, you cannot help but ask yourself “what happened to the softer, more angelic half of the band”?
Singer/songwriter and musician James (Yoshinobu) Iha, since igniting the wick to a fresh ball of wax from outside the gourd, has been lighting the way for the not-so-scene artists that really know how to carve a smile on your face and put a treat in your polyethylene (Sam) Goodies bag.
From the harmonious seeds of the early 90’s James Iha has worked closely with Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne & Ivy) to grow their own patch in Manhattan known as Scratchie and a recording studio, Stratosphere Sounds, co-owned with Andy Chase (also from Ivy). It is a cultivating relationship where Iha has offered his soft flame to indie Ivy (“Quick, Painless & Easy”, 1997) and Schlesinger of Ivy to the Pumpkins (“The Bell”, 1996); together in this year of 2009 they've illuminated The Sounds, of Sweden’s new wave, third album; “Crossing the Rubicon”. Aside from his exclusive DJ-ing in New York and re-mixing up with Kazu Makino (Blonde Redhead), Ladytron and The Postmarks, Iha has also produced nugget-beans for Michael Stipe (REM), Cat Power and America (the folk rock band who brought you “A Horse with No Name”, not the “United States of…” that Corgan presumably wants to conquer with his 1984 Marshall JCM 800, 100 watt top amplifier -again, again, again).
After a tour and album cut with A Perfect Circle, Iha was a cool “O” for Vanessa and the O’s, which puffed out to be more than just a smoke ring DIY in countries other than the US. The band spent 2006-8 touring France, Holland, Japan, Sweden and the United Kingdom. This gave Billy Corgan and New Smashing Pumpkins time to unleash their fury in the United States, well at least play their heads off in Ashville, North Carolina and San Francisco, California in what later would be the 2008 DVD release aptly titled “If All Goes Wrong”. Unfortunately for the reformed Pumpkins of 2009 the original drummer, Jimmy Chamberlin, is reportedly no longer in the band, again. It could be predicted in coming months that Billy Corgan will return to Ashville with another residency, making random solo appearances as the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.
Although James Iha is no longer with Billy Corgan in the Smashing Pumpkins, both artists are extremely note-worthy and have continued to release un-boo-able music for the past two decades. Either of their candy corn solo albums is recommended to give out to kids dressed as famous fictional slayers begging for candy. For a better insight of the reorganized Pumpkins check out their Double DVD “If All Goes Wrong” and watch it while you eat your pie and baked seeds this holiday season. If you are still wondering what became of James Iha, cash in your pirate’s bounty for the more than a cheap trick, Tinted Windows self-titled 2009 release, which includes; James Iha, Adam Schlesinger, Bun E. Carlos and uh-hmm… Taylor Hanson.
If you are the victim of someone who has vandalized your creative Halloween décor but are still craving the soul, blood or any of the major organs of the recording artist, more recommended than anyone else mentioned in this article; The Postmarks and Ivy.
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