Tonight on The Chris Isaak Hour -- my semi-professional music talk show for the Bio Channel -- I have the pleasure of hosting the Smashing Pumpkins. If you can ignore the host of the show and his fashion sense, it's one hell of an episode. When we filmed it a few months back, the band played great, and I felt like my interview with founding Pumpkins Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin was revealing and fascinating, at least to me. Unfortunately, in addition to screwing up my own relationships, I seem to have now gained the newfound ability to screw up other people's as well now? A week or so ago I heard that Jimmy was leaving Smashing Pumpkins, and Billy was announcing open auditions for a new drummer? Guy, was it something I said?
I swear I did not mean to smash those Pumpkins. I'm a fan of the group's music, and Billy's book of poetry too. As you'll see, Billy is one bright, interesting and opinionated fellow and even though he spoke less than his former bandmate, Jimmy was very open about his own tough times with drugs and the way that he's turned his life around. On the surface, Billy and Jimmy seemed to be getting along fine, but there may have been some tension on set -- or even some annoyance with their goofy, ungrungy host. Watch and see for yourself. You'll see Billy show me that fantastic guitar lick to "1979" and hear the guys explain some of the tensions that can drive a band apart.
So whether or not you're auditioning for Jimmy's spot behind the drums -- and those are big kick drum shoes to fill -- I hope you'll check out our little show. While you're at it, stick around next week when our guest for the hour is Yusuf, the brilliant Artist Formerly Known as Cat Stevens. Fortunately, he's a solo artist, so I don't think there's any way I'll break him up.
Billy, Jimmy, this is my open plea: If it really is something I said -- or something that I didn't say -- please accept my apology and work things out. And if not, well then thanks for giving this chance to clear the air and cynically exploit your recent separation for promotional fun and profit.
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have a great show!
That way, you minimize your exposure to being proven a liar - an essential if you're moving into political commentary
Nah, ya didn't smash the pumpkins..
and while I have you on the phone....i
I had a GF, an artist from Rowayton..
'I remember seeing this guy on the tonight show, singing, "Blue Hotel"...I hated him, cause he was better looking than me...but I still can be out gardening, and start singing, "on a lonely highway...
Thanks for the music, my brother.
Reading this made me a little nostalgic for the late great "Sunday Night / Night Music" show with Jools holland and David Sanborn. It was an amazing collection of guests with the best house band ever on television
Best Wishes to Chris Isaac.
Please stay away from Bon Jovi and the Goo Goo Dolls. . .
I've been watching your new show and I totally agree with the other commenters about it being interestin
As with your previous show on Showtime (I think it was S/time), the new "Chris Isaak Hour" is fun and entertaini
Hey Billie, how bout them cubbies, huh, huh, this the year?
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His song "Guess I'm Dumb" and Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" make perfect musical bookmarks.
Aside from having (probably coincident
that was then. he still has a great voice but his music didn't really translate into my adult world. i was by no means putting him down. he's a great musician and has made so many valuable contributi
I love the show and truly appreciate the wide range of talent you've featured. You have many gifts, I think not the least of which is the ability to relate to such diverse personalit
I can't wait to see Yusuf next week (saving the best for last, maybe?). I spent many an evening in my girlhood with headphones on listening to Cat Stevens. I wonder if he comments on "Harold and Maude." I'll have to wait and see....