Spirits in the Sky
Encyclopedia
Spirits in the Sky is a casual supergroup
led by Billy Corgan
, frontman of The Smashing Pumpkins
. The band convened, initially, in July 2009 to perform at a memorial concert for the late Sky Saxon
of The Seeds
. The band played three songs - a Seeds
cover, a cover of "Spirit in the Sky
", and a new Smashing Pumpkins song called "Freak". The lineup at that show was Corgan (guitar), Kerry Brown
(drums/percussion), Mike Byrne
(drums), Kevin Dippold (guitar/vocals), Mark Tulin
(bass), and Mark Weitz
(keyboards).
In August 2009, the band went on tour, this time adding violinist Ysanne Spevack
, singer Linda Strawberry
, and Jane's Addiction
guitarist Dave Navarro
. Dippold switched to primarily playing flute
. The band played six shows in California, playing songs Corgan had written for the new Smashing Pumpkins album, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope
, as well as covers of songs by The Seeds
, Pink Floyd
, The Velvet Underground
, Jethro Tull
, Quicksilver Messenger Service
, and others.
In September 2009, work commenced on Teargarden by Kaleidyscope in Chicago, with Corgan joined by Brown, Byrne, Dippold, Spevack, Tulin, and perhaps others. Three of the four songs on the first EP of Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, "Widow Wake My Mind," "A Stitch in Time," and "Astral Planes" were debuted at Spirits in the Sky shows.
In October 2009, a one-off benefit show by a band called The Backwards Clock Society, composed of Corgan, Brown, and Tulin, was announced.
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
led by Billy Corgan
Billy Corgan
William Patrick "Billy" Corgan, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional poet best known as the frontman and sole permanent member of The Smashing Pumpkins. Formed by Corgan and guitarist James Iha in Chicago, Illinois in 1987, the band quickly gained steam with the...
, frontman of The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
. The band convened, initially, in July 2009 to perform at a memorial concert for the late Sky Saxon
Sky Saxon
Sky "Sunlight" Saxon was an American rock and roll musician who was best known as the leader and singer of the 1960s Los Angeles psychedelic garage rock band The Seeds.-Biography:...
of The Seeds
The Seeds
The Seeds were an American rock band. The group, whose repertoire spread between garage rock and acid rock, are considered one of the pioneers of punk rock.-History:...
. The band played three songs - a Seeds
The Seeds
The Seeds were an American rock band. The group, whose repertoire spread between garage rock and acid rock, are considered one of the pioneers of punk rock.-History:...
cover, a cover of "Spirit in the Sky
Spirit in the Sky
"Spirit in the Sky" is a song written and originally recorded by Norman Greenbaum and released in 1969. The single sold two million copies in 1969 and 1970 and reached number three in the U.S. Billboard chart, as well as number one on the UK, Australian and Canadian charts in 1970. Rolling Stone...
", and a new Smashing Pumpkins song called "Freak". The lineup at that show was Corgan (guitar), Kerry Brown
Kerry Brown (musician)
Kerry Brown is a record producer, movie soundtrack producer and a musician. He was the drummer in Chicago alternative rock band Catherine in the 1990s. He was married to D'arcy Wretzky of The Smashing Pumpkins at that time, and is now married to Stacey Sher...
(drums/percussion), Mike Byrne
Mike Byrne (musician)
Michael William Byrne is the drummer for The Smashing Pumpkins. When Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan called for rehearsals to replace Jimmy Chamberlin, Byrne auditioned and was chosen out of thousands of applicants...
(drums), Kevin Dippold (guitar/vocals), Mark Tulin
Mark Tulin
Mark Tulin was the bassist with The Electric Prunes. They had hit singles with "I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night" and "Get Me To The World on Time"...
(bass), and Mark Weitz
Mark Weitz
Mark Weitz is an American musician. A former keyboard player for the 1960s psychedelic rock group Strawberry Alarm Clock, Weitz was the principal composing member of the band.- Early life and The Strawberry Alarm Clock :...
(keyboards).
In August 2009, the band went on tour, this time adding violinist Ysanne Spevack
Ysanne Spevack
Ysanne Spevack is a British violinist, composer and string arranger best known for her work recordings for the Smashing Pumpkins, Dub Gabriel featuring Michael Stipe, Tiesto, and Asian Dub Foundation...
, singer Linda Strawberry
Linda Strawberry
Linda Strawberry is the nom de plume of a Los Angeles singer, best known as Billy Corgan's touring bandmate on the Future Embrace Tour. She signed to Chrysalis Records with a publishing development deal, but announced in her blog in October 2006 that she has since left the label, citing artistic...
, and Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
guitarist Dave Navarro
Dave Navarro
David Michael "Dave" Navarro is an American guitarist who plays in the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction and cover band Camp Freddy. He has also played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Panic Channel, and many others.- Early life :...
. Dippold switched to primarily playing flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
. The band played six shows in California, playing songs Corgan had written for the new Smashing Pumpkins album, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope
Teargarden by Kaleidyscope
Teargarden by Kaleidyscope is the eighth album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. A series of 44 individual songs, it is being released one track at a time through free MP3 downloads over the course of several years...
, as well as covers of songs by The Seeds
The Seeds
The Seeds were an American rock band. The group, whose repertoire spread between garage rock and acid rock, are considered one of the pioneers of punk rock.-History:...
, Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
, Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
, Quicksilver Messenger Service
Quicksilver Messenger Service
Quicksilver Messenger Service is an American psychedelic rock band, formed in 1965 in San Francisco.-Introduction:Quicksilver Messenger Service gained wide popularity in the Bay Area and, through their recordings, with psychedelic rock enthusiasts around the globe and several of their albums ranked...
, and others.
In September 2009, work commenced on Teargarden by Kaleidyscope in Chicago, with Corgan joined by Brown, Byrne, Dippold, Spevack, Tulin, and perhaps others. Three of the four songs on the first EP of Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, "Widow Wake My Mind," "A Stitch in Time," and "Astral Planes" were debuted at Spirits in the Sky shows.
In October 2009, a one-off benefit show by a band called The Backwards Clock Society, composed of Corgan, Brown, and Tulin, was announced.
Lineup
- Kerry BrownKerry Brown (musician)Kerry Brown is a record producer, movie soundtrack producer and a musician. He was the drummer in Chicago alternative rock band Catherine in the 1990s. He was married to D'arcy Wretzky of The Smashing Pumpkins at that time, and is now married to Stacey Sher...
– percussion, drums - Mike ByrneMike Byrne (musician)Michael William Byrne is the drummer for The Smashing Pumpkins. When Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan called for rehearsals to replace Jimmy Chamberlin, Byrne auditioned and was chosen out of thousands of applicants...
– drums - Billy CorganBilly CorganWilliam Patrick "Billy" Corgan, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional poet best known as the frontman and sole permanent member of The Smashing Pumpkins. Formed by Corgan and guitarist James Iha in Chicago, Illinois in 1987, the band quickly gained steam with the...
– vocals, guitar - Kevin Dippold – vocals, flute, guitar
- Dave NavarroDave NavarroDavid Michael "Dave" Navarro is an American guitarist who plays in the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction and cover band Camp Freddy. He has also played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Panic Channel, and many others.- Early life :...
– guitar - Ysanne SpevackYsanne SpevackYsanne Spevack is a British violinist, composer and string arranger best known for her work recordings for the Smashing Pumpkins, Dub Gabriel featuring Michael Stipe, Tiesto, and Asian Dub Foundation...
– violin - Linda StrawberryLinda StrawberryLinda Strawberry is the nom de plume of a Los Angeles singer, best known as Billy Corgan's touring bandmate on the Future Embrace Tour. She signed to Chrysalis Records with a publishing development deal, but announced in her blog in October 2006 that she has since left the label, citing artistic...
– vocals - Mark TulinMark TulinMark Tulin was the bassist with The Electric Prunes. They had hit singles with "I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night" and "Get Me To The World on Time"...
– bass - Mark WeitzMark WeitzMark Weitz is an American musician. A former keyboard player for the 1960s psychedelic rock group Strawberry Alarm Clock, Weitz was the principal composing member of the band.- Early life and The Strawberry Alarm Clock :...
– keyboards