Superchrist
Encyclopedia
"Superchrist" is a 2008 song by The Smashing Pumpkins
.
, "We didn't feel we understood the song and thought playing it on tour would help us sort it out". The band first performed the song on July 24, 2007, during their residence at The Fillmore
, and it has since become a live staple. It was finally recorded in January 2008 at Sunset Sound, co-produced by Kerry Brown of the band Catherine
(and also the ex-husband of former Smashing Pumpkins bassist, D'arcy Wretzky
).
Although not a single, the song was highly publicized by the band, including a music video that debuted on MySpace on February 27, 2008; it was also notable for being the band's first release without a record label. The song was released on Fresh Cuts: Volume 2, a compilation released by Guitar Center
that otherwise only features songs by Guitar Center employees. The song was released to the broader public on the iTunes Store
on November 4, 2008, packaged with "G.L.O.W.
" as a "digital 45".
of 6/8, is fairly heavy and has been described by the band as "psychedelic
", which Corgan partly attributes to co-producer Kerry Brown. Corgan declared that "Superchrist" is an indication of the band being "back in free territory".
Justin Coloma
, debuted on MySpace
on February 27, 2008. The video features Corgan and Chamberlin performing the song with Gary and Sky Saxon
from The Seeds
on tambourine
and bass guitar
, respectively. Corgan collaborator Linda Strawberry
, photographer Kristin Burns, Hannabeth, and Audrey Kitching
appear in nurse costumes before photographing and injecting Sky Saxon, violinist Ysanne Spevack
appears playing metal violin, and porn star Sasha Grey
appears as a dancer. It is the first Pumpkins video since the reunion to not feature touring members Jeff Schroeder
, Ginger Reyes
, and Lisa Harriton
.
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...
.
History
The song originated during the sessions for Zeitgeist, but, according to Billy CorganBilly 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...
, "We didn't feel we understood the song and thought playing it on tour would help us sort it out". The band first performed the song on July 24, 2007, during their residence at The Fillmore
The Fillmore
The Fillmore Auditorium is a historic music venue in San Francisco, California, made famous by Bill Graham. Named for its original location at the intersection of Fillmore Street and Geary Boulevard, it lies on the boundary of the Western Addition and the Pacific Heights neighborhoods.In 1968,...
, and it has since become a live staple. It was finally recorded in January 2008 at Sunset Sound, co-produced by Kerry Brown of the band Catherine
Catherine (alternative rock band)
Catherine was an alternative rock band from Chicago, Illinois that was active from 1985 to 1998. They were signed to TVT Records.-Early years:...
(and also the ex-husband of former Smashing Pumpkins bassist, D'arcy Wretzky
D'arcy Wretzky
D'arcy Elizabeth Wretzky is an American musician. She is best known for her work as the original bass player of the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins...
).
Although not a single, the song was highly publicized by the band, including a music video that debuted on MySpace on February 27, 2008; it was also notable for being the band's first release without a record label. The song was released on Fresh Cuts: Volume 2, a compilation released by Guitar Center
Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the largest chain of musical instrument retailers in the world with 223 locations throughout the United States. Its headquarters is in Westlake Village, California....
that otherwise only features songs by Guitar Center employees. The song was released to the broader public on the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
on November 4, 2008, packaged with "G.L.O.W.
G.L.O.W.
"G.L.O.W." is a song by the American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. It premiered on Chicago alternative rock station Q101 on September 29, 2008...
" as a "digital 45".
Style
The song, with a time signatureTime signature
The time signature is a notational convention used in Western musical notation to specify how many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one beat....
of 6/8, is fairly heavy and has been described by the band as "psychedelic
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
", which Corgan partly attributes to co-producer Kerry Brown. Corgan declared that "Superchrist" is an indication of the band being "back in free territory".
Music video
The song's music video, directed and edited byJustin Coloma
Justin Coloma
Justin Coloma is a Peruvian American film director and editor.-Biography:Justin Coloma was raised in Lima, Peru, and moved to California in 1992. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies from The University of California, Berkeley, in 1998...
, debuted on MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
on February 27, 2008. The video features Corgan and Chamberlin performing the song with Gary and 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:...
from 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:...
on tambourine
Tambourine
The tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
and bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, respectively. Corgan collaborator 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...
, photographer Kristin Burns, Hannabeth, and Audrey Kitching
Audrey Kitching
Audrey Lynn Kitching is an American blogger, model, and fashion designer. She has been declared simultaneously a "fashion forward female" and "fashion disaster" by Cosmopolitan, an "It Kid" and "princess of pop culture website Buzznet" by Nylon, "weekend role model" by Glamour, and a social media...
appear in nurse costumes before photographing and injecting Sky Saxon, 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...
appears playing metal violin, and porn star Sasha Grey
Sasha Grey
Sasha Grey is an American former pornographic actress, who has since turned to mainstream acting, modeling and music....
appears as a dancer. It is the first Pumpkins video since the reunion to not feature touring members Jeff Schroeder
Jeff Schroeder
Jeff Schroeder is a Korean American rock musician, who became a guitarist with the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins in 2007. He is currently finishing his Ph.D...
, Ginger Reyes
Ginger Reyes
Ginger A. Pooley , also known by her stage name as Ginger Sling, is an American rock musician of Peruvian heritage. She is best known as the former touring bassist and a backing vocalist for the Chicago alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins...
, and Lisa Harriton
Lisa Harriton
Lisa Rae Harriton is an English rock musician, who became a touring keyboardist and back-up vocalist with the alternative rock band, The Smashing Pumpkins in 2007. She is also a singer/songwriter serving up a soulful blend of pop infused with jazz and world influences...
.
Personnel
- The Smashing PumpkinsThe Smashing PumpkinsThe 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...
- 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, bass, producer, mixer - Jimmy ChamberlinJimmy ChamberlinJimmy Chamberlin is an American drummer, songwriter, and producer. He is best known as the former drummer for the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. After a drug-related incident with touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin in 1996, Chamberlin was fired from the band and joined The Last...
: drums, producer, mixer
- Billy Corgan
- 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 - 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...
: producer, mixer - Stephen Marcussen: mastering
External links
- Superchrist Music Video at MyspaceMyspaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....