I Now Pronounce You Pumpkin and Wife

So, I just got back from one of the coolest weekends of my life! No seriously, this was one that I will remember forever. A few of my readers may recall that one of my first posts was about a concert that my wife and I attended last year by the Smashing Pumpkins (SP). CLICK HERE Well, we had the opportunity to make it all happen again. But this was like the same experience on steroids! We didn’t just go to the concert, but we got to meet the band, take personal pictures with them, stand in the front row, and all of this in Las Vegas!

Yes, on steroids!

Me chatting it up with the boys.

My wife playing it cool with the masters of rock 'n roll.

I know many have said it, and I will too, but Billy Corgan is one of the coolest people that I have met; very chill and on-your-level. You know, seeing him and Jimmy Chamberlain was like they had just stepped out of a YouTube video in front of you. I did notice being in person that Billy’s shoulders are really narrow; not something that I had paid attention to before; and Jimmy has huge biceps, but I guess that when Mr. Corgan writes songs that have you beating the drum heads for 9 min straight you need some serious muscle.

Ginger - a seriously cool bass-playing lady.

Being in the front row of the concert was awesome. I have never been that close to the stage and having done it as part of our SP experience made it that much better. The play list was fantastic. We got to hear many of our favorites along with several new songs. The stage set was great; the sound awesome; and the band was dressed as you would expect them to be. No disappointments.

I also got to meet several other fans that were SP VIPs. I can say that the Pumpkin fan base is diverse. We saw people from all ranges of the spectrum and many that were just like us; totally excited to be meeting one of their favorite bands and having killer seats for the show.

It is interesting what will bring people together; maybe it’s a religious belief, political view, or biological connection. It could be a certain person’s ability to unite others under a sense of oneness; to feel understood, important, and complete; Billy Corgan has that power. I thank God that I had this experience and that I was able to share it with the hottest Pumpkin Peep out there…my wife. Let’s do it again Babe!

Great music

Have you ever been to a concert, or heard a song on the radio and said, "I wish that was cool again"? If you are like me, it happens on a regular basis. Recently, I went to the Smashing Pumpkins concert in Phoenix, AZ. It was awesome. Billy Corgan hasn't lost any of the energy he exuded as a young punk. I still couldn't believe that he's 40! But then again, I haven't been in high school for 11 years. Ahhh, reflection. Anyhow, the concert kind of awoke those feelings of invincibleness that we all have when we are young. You know, you tend to have more thoughts of 'Hey, I can do that' or 'Yeah, yeah, I know it sounds crazy, but it's what I want to do.' The other thing that the concert instigated was my thoughts to other bands that I near worshiped in high school. Most of them have gone by the wayside, no longer recording or performing. There are the resolute few, that continue to perform old hits no matter how small the venue. Needless to say, I was ecstatic when I found out that the Pumpkins had at least somewhat come back together. My wife and I attended their second to last show back in 2000. It was cool. Of course, there is something about a 6' 3" bald guy yelling into a microphone at a crowd of devoted listeners that is odd. I digress. The other bands from the 90s that still record usually stink. The band is off drugs and have come to inner peace. It was the drugs and constant turmoil that made them great. Case in point, Stone Temple Pilots. Then there are those that have expired due to various causes. Another example, Midnight Oil. I don't mean to ramble, but with all the crap on the radio today how can one not reflect upon a better musical era. The only thing that gives me comfort is that 'Pop' finally passed and the likes of Christina, Britney, and all the boy bands are behind us.