The Smashing Pumpkins Celebrate 30 Years of ‘Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness’
The Smashing Pumpkins are gearing up for a significant milestone as they prepare to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their iconic 1995 album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. This celebration includes the release of a new, four-CD deluxe set that promises to delight fans old and new.
Album Overview
Originally released on October 24, 1995, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was a groundbreaking double-record concept album featuring an impressive 28 tracks. This album followed the band’s monumental success with their 1993 release, Siamese Dream, and marked a pivotal moment in alternative rock history.
Chart Success and Notable Singles
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was the band’s only album to reach No. 1 on the charts, showcasing standout singles such as “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” “1979,” “Zero,” “Tonight, Tonight,” and “Thirty-Three.” These tracks not only defined the era but also solidified the band’s place in music history.
Original Lineup Finale
This album also holds significance as the last project featuring the original lineup of the band, which includes frontman Billy Corgan, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, guitarist James Iha, and bassist D’arcy Wretzky. The dynamic and chemistry of this lineup contributed to the album’s lasting legacy.
Exclusive Live Track Preview
Fans can get a taste of what to expect from the reissue with the live performance of “Geek U.S.A.” recorded at a concert in San Diego on January 30, 1996. This track is part of the additional content that will be featured in the upcoming reissue.
What’s Included in the Reissue?
The four-CD set includes over 80 minutes of previously unheard live recordings from the band’s 1996 tour in support of the album. Disc three and four are dedicated entirely to capturing the energy and spirit of that tour. Billy Corgan expressed his emotional connection to these recordings, stating, “Unearthing these live recordings from the original lineup’s true, last large-scale tour was a labor of love…”.
Track Listings
Disc 1 (Main Album)
- Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness
- Tonight, Tonight
- Jellybelly
- Zero
- Here Is No Why
- Bullet With Butterfly Wings
- To Forgive
- Fuck You (An Ode To No One)
- Love
- Cupid De Locke
- Galapogos
- Muzzle
- Porcelina Of The Vast Oceans
- Take Me Down
Disc 2 (Main Album)
- Where Boys Fear To Tread
- Bodies
- Thirty-Three
- In The Arms Of Sleep
- 1979
- Tales Of A Scorched Earth
- Thru The Eyes Of Ruby
- Stumbleine
- X.Y.U.
- We Only Come Out At Night
- Beautiful
- Lily (My One And Only)
- By Starlight
- Farewell And Goodnight
Disc 3 (Infinite Sadness Tour ’96)
- Geek U.S.A. (1.30.96. San Diego)
- X.Y.U. (1.30.96. San Diego)
- Cupid De Locke (1.30.96. San Diego)
- Here Is No Why (2.4.96. Los Angeles)
- Bullet With Butterfly Wings (2.4.96. Los Angeles)
- Galapogos (2.4.96. Los Angeles)
- Bodies (6.25.96. Saginaw)
- Where Boys Fear To Tread (6.29.96. Detroit)
Disc 4 (Infinite Sadness Tour ’96)
- Zero (6.29.96. Detroit)
- Muzzle (6.29.96. Detroit)
- Porcelina Of The Vast Oceans/ Beautiful/ Rocket (7.3.96. Cleveland)
- Siva (6.30.96. Detroit)
- An Ode To No One (7.3.96. Cleveland)
- Thru The Eyes Of Ruby/ By Starlight (7.5.96. Philadelphia)
Conclusion
The upcoming 30th-anniversary reissue of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness not only celebrates a landmark album in the Smashing Pumpkins’ discography but also honors the band’s original lineup and the unforgettable era of alternative rock. With an abundance of live tracks and unreleased material, fans can look forward to a nostalgic trip down memory lane when the reissue is released on November 21, 2023.
FAQs
When will the reissue of ‘Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness’ be released?
The reissue will be released on November 21, 2023.
What does the four-CD set include?
The set includes the original album, along with over 80 minutes of never-before-heard live recordings from the band’s 1996 tour.
Is this the first time ‘Geek U.S.A.’ has been released live?
Yes, the live version of “Geek U.S.A.” from the San Diego concert on January 30, 1996, is included in the upcoming reissue.
