Billy and Jimmy are bad role models

Matt Pinfield had Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin for what was apparently Billy's first radio interview in 3 years, on the morning before the first Smashing Pumpkins show in New York City in about 8 years. It was, for the most part, a candid, informative interview, and I enjoyed listening to it. Especially the part where Billy spoke at length about ways to connect more deeply with fans, like experimenting with new ways to release music and perform live, and where he interrupted Pinfield (who was about to play a song) to talk about the importance of unity amongst bands, and the common purpose of creating a body of music representative of this generation. It was a very weird, awesomely rock-star moment that I plan to listen to again when the interview goes online here later today.

But then came the question about the election, and it was revealed that Billy is "not a voter," which is his "controversial position," and that while Jimmy is a voter, he didn't vote this election because he was busy moving and just didn't have the time. The two then went on to talk about how wonderful it is that now anyone really can do anything and blah blah blah HOW CAN YOU BE "NOT A VOTER"? Seriously Billy, that's horse hockey.

Again, the interview will be here later today, if you're interested in hearing it yourself.

New Smashing Pumpkins bassist Ginger Reyes

...as you've never seen her before. After departing from the Halo Friendlies, Ginger Reyes (a.k.a. Ginger Sling) embarked on a solo career before being snatched up by Billy Corgan as the latest in his line of bass players of the finer sex.

More information than you could ever possibly want available at the YouTube page for this video. Information like this:

Ginger Sling's own music is powerful, melodic and full of pop and rock sensibilities. Her main influences are the Beatles, Elvis Costello, Superdrag and Elliott Smith. Ginger Sling, named after a lyric in the Beatles' song "Savoy Truffle," is backed by a rocking band with herself on bass. Ginger loves to write songs but also loves to play live. She performs regularly around Southern California and has performed on the Vans Warped Tour. Keep an eye out for when she comes to your town. You won't want to miss it.

Ginger is sponsored by Fender USA, Dunlop Manufacturing, Hurley Clothing, Paul Frank and Vestal apparel.

Learn more about Ginger at gingersling.net.

So, I was originally planning on just posting video of the Pumpkins rather lackluster versions of "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" and "Today" from Live Earth (though to their credit they breathed some real life into "Tarantula") but then this seemed like more fun.

Stop the madness: exclusive tracks

Store specific exclusive bonus tracks, like the ones awarded to Best Buy, Target, and iTunes for the latest Smashing Pumpkins record Zeitgeist*, are an insult to consumers and another in a long line of blunders by the panicked record industry.

The motivation here, I suppose, is to make the retailer happy by encouraging customers to get Zeitgeist at Best Buy, and not at Circuit City. In return, Best Buy floats an endcap your way. Maybe even puts a few copies in the checkout line.

But the result is that your customers, the Smashing Pumpkins fans that have longed for years for new material from Billy & co., the ones who have had $20 earmarked for this record for months, the ones who want to own every piece of memorabilia they can, feel ripped off. They want to own, legitimately, every single track. But they sure as hell don't want to buy the record three times to get them.

I'm pretty sure Billy had nothing to do with this decision. And whether or not he's saying so publicly, I really want to believe he's just as pissed as we are. Remember, this is the guy who released what was then believed to be the final Pumpkins album ever online for free as a parting silverfuck you to the recording business.

I don't think the labels really expect people to buy this record three times. I think the error in judgment being made here is an underestimation of how important it is for fans to have everything their favorite band puts out. The people working at these labels are music fans too (at least some of them), but they haven't had to pay for a record in a long time. They're consumers but not customers. And somewhere along the way, they forget what it's like to have to reconcile your wallet with your devotion. And they wonder why people steal music. The only store you can get the TITLE TRACK at is Target.

Your customers, not your retail channels, should always be your number one priority. Long after Best Buy and Target stop stocking music altogether (and they will, sooner rather than later), your customers will still be spending money to consume your product. But not if you keep trying to squeeze blood from their stones.

Go to Pitchfork for the tracklisting(s).

* Bloc Party's A Weekend In The City is another (actually much worse with 12 tracks) offender.