It's interesting that they Smashing Pumpkins have stayed with me throughout 3 schools. I got into them in 8th grade by happenstance basically. Went to an Evanscence or whatever they're called with Martin and Lily, and they did a cover of "Zero". My 14 year old brain goes "hey, wait, this is a good band that does this song". But most people know the story already.

But through out the winter of 2004, all I listened to was The Pumpkins and Sonic Youth. Not a bad combination. The thing is that I became a completist. Starting downloading boots and B-sides and imports that I could physically buy. This was back after the Zwan (who are still a good band) disbanded, and during the break of February, teh b0lly had posted a blog saying that he was working on a solo album which nobody noticed (before AND after it's release date). So they were well enough under the radar for a popular band that all their first singles and imports were not being re-released. So I got to downloading, spent money on all their albums I did, and got myself a nice little collection. And this stayed with me in high school. I still listened to them pretty religiously. But somewhere along the line they died out, midway through freshmen year, then sophomore. Did I really grow out of it? In some ways yes, in some ways no.

There seems to be a very common simile for relationships of a fan to a band, and a relationship between two people.  In general, it's said that you can grow out of bands, and never listen to them again. The equivalent to breaking up with them. This is true with a band like Tool for me. Haven't listened to them since 2003, have no REAL reason to. They're a good band, but I guess I'll take king crimson. Not to say Tool copied Krimson, but Krimson is really just all over the place in terms of sound. Tool kinda sticks with the dirges. For all intents and purposes, Tool was a band I broke up with. Primus as well. I never listen to Primus anymore and once in a GREAT while I'll go "I need to listen to that again" but will never follow through.

The Smashing Pumpkins and I never really broke up. 

One thing I hear and read about The Pumpkins is that they're a good band, but they also allow people to get deeper into more bands. The similarites between My Bloody Valentine's "Loveless" and "Siamese Dream" all VERY obvious, but I don't know if I would have even gotten into MBV had it not been for The Pumpkins. One other band I would not have gotten into would be Slowdive. Siamese Dream was said to be influenced by Slowdive's sound. 

But through all of the changes, one things that never slouches is the songwriting. Billy Corgan knows how to write a good song. I will say Zeitgeist is their worst album so far, but it's not a horrible record. I give it a 6. 

But for from Siamese Dream to Machina II, everything in that period, b-sides included, is very, very good.

With that out of the way, today was alright. Did a so so audition today. First day of classes tomorrow. Scared shitless. I really hope I don't party so much and flunk out like my dad did.