It’s shaping up to be a big 20th anniversary from Chicago alternative rock icons Smashing Pumpkins. Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, and whoever the fuck else Billy hired to be in the band now, are going out on the road, premiering a song on Guitar Hero, releasing a DVD, and hopefully rekindling some fanships from those of us who think it’s been bleak ever since Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness. Several of their tour stops include 2-night stints where no songs will be repeated.

“Chicago, Toronto, New York, Washington, Boston, Kansas City and Los Angeles. With such a vast repertoire, the Pumpkins are coming prepared with completely different set lists in each of the multi-night engagements with no songs being repeated over the course of the two night run. Night #1 is being called “Black Sunshine,” while night #2 will be dubbed “White Crosses.” A special two-night ticket bundle will be available for all multi-night engagements.”

So I take it they’re not doing “White Crosses” in the deep south? Smart move there, baldy.

Sat 11/1 Cleveland, OH Palace Theatre
Mon 11/3 Toronto, ONT Massey Hall
Tue 11/4 Toronto, ONT Massey Hall
Thu 11/6 New York, NY United Palace Theatre
Fri 11/7 New York, NY United Palace Theatre
Sat 11/8 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata
Tue 11/11 Washington, DC DAR Constitution Hall
Wed 11/12 Washington, DC DAR Constitution Hall
Fri 11/14 Boston, MA Wang Center
Sat 11/15 Boston, MA Wang Center
Sun 11/16 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
Tue 11/18 Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre
Wed 11/19 Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre
Fri 11/21 Chicago, IL Auditorium Theatre
Sat 11/22 Chicago, IL Auditorium Theatre
Wed 11/26 St. Louis, MO Fox Theatre
Sun 11/30 San Diego, CA RIMAC Arena
Tue 12/2 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheatre
Wed 12/3 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheatre

Press Release following Jump:

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A gamer survey posted on Consolehero.com has revealed details about the forthcoming Guitar Hero: World Tour installment of the Guitar Hero series, including some news guaranteed to make Video Matt milk his one eyed trouser snake: Hayley Williams will be a playable character in the game, along with Jimi Hendrix, Billy Corgan and a bunch of others. Click the image to read or check out the text of the survey after the jump: (more…)

Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlain told Spinner that him and Billy Corgan plan on hitting the studio later this spring, but added “I don’t think we will make records again.”

Pointing out that the band’s contractual commitment to Reprise Records is finished, the drummer explains “I look at it like the old business model is dead and the music business doesn’t know how to move forward. We want to keep things vital and keep things viable and get our music across while remaining relevant. Music has in many ways just become an advertisement for your tour. ”

“I think what we’ll do is start releasing songs,” Chamberlin continues. “The record or CD format places too many limitations on your piece of art. People just don’t buy records anymore. Anyone under the age of 24 just buys songs. It’s just in our best interest to release blocks of songs. And I think what we’ll do – not to let the cat out of the bag too much – is to create the framework where we can release a number of songs and maybe create a title. We can gather three or four songs, but it will all flow up to a larger body of work. But to call it record in the traditional sense would be anachronistic.”

Guess its a lot easier to buck the system when you’ve scanned 10 million or so units, own your own studio and have legions of fans who will gladly pay for your warmed-over noodlings, ie Zeitgeist.