Music review: Smashing Pumpkins and Kill Hannah benefit concert at Metro for Matthew Leone

Lately, every time I mention that my favorite band is The Smashing Pumpkins, someone makes a rude comment about Billy Corgan or how “they suck now.” I just brush it off. Like any art, music is subjective, and even I’ve had criticisms throughout the years. This time though, Corgan & Co. really stepped up.

Detouring from their world tour, the Pumpkins (with opener Kill Hannah) performed a benefit concert at Metro last night to raise money for the increasing costs of Matthew Leone’s medical care. After hearing the announcement, I leaped out of my chair in excitement, immediately planning my guaranteed attendance at said show. Tickets were offered through a $10 raffle, $100 balcony VIP or $500 VIP with private soundcheck/meet and greet. The opportunity to finally meet Billy Corgan and contribute to Matthew’s cause was too great to pass up, so I decided a soundcheck VIP ticket would be a pre-emptive grad school graduation present from my parents.

Shaking with anticipation, I spent the last week mentally preparing. Sure, I’ve met celebrities and famous musicians before, but never my lifelong favorite. Yesterday morning, my stomach twisted in knots. Pacing around my condo wasn’t helping, so I headed to Wrigleyville early and stopped in Gingerman because I definitely needed a drink. One vodka/red bull in, Billy greeted fans outside and discussed the show with local media. I smiled through the window and felt surprisingly calm. After a brief hello to a few friends working security, I waited in the VIP line and unexpectedly stood behind an old friend who I hadn't seen in 11 years. Reminiscing about Kill Hannah shows of 1999 definitely helped ease my meeting Billy jitters.

Soundcheck was expected to last from 6-6:30 and consist of 5-6 songs. Delays are always expected, especially for a show of this magnitude. What I didn’t know was the Pumpkins already shipped their normal equipment to Asia for their world tour, so that meant waiting for another hour in the Metro store. Spazzing with elation, I finally raced up the stairs and landed in front of the stage.

“Ah! The soundcheck VIPs! How are you?” Billy asked the approaching group of 20.
As the cheers and claps faded, I cleverly yelled out, “Great! How are you?”
“Stressed!” Billy responded. OMG. He responded to me. I’m so cool!

After playing “Tristessa” and four not-yet-recorded tracks, the band lined up for the meet and greet, and I had five seconds to say something before a photographer snapped our photo. “Hi! Thank you so much for doing this show! I’ve wanted to meet you for so long, it’s great to meet you!” I said a bit too quickly. “Thank you for being here. Great to meet you too,” Billy replied nicely. The photo flashed. Definitely unprepared, I’m waiting for Metro to e-mail it to me so I can assess the damage. Walking away, I turned back and said, “Great to meet you! Bye!” to the other members of the band and back to Billy. I’m not sure how many times I said, “Great to meet you,” but it was probably too many. Facing forward, I tripped over the other VIPs’ belongings. Ugh, smooth. Before I could feel any embarrassment, I noticed the person behind me in line already finished her photo. Thankfully, no one even noticed my clumsiness.

Security quickly ushered us to the balcony, but let us back downstairs as doors opened. I bolted back to the floor and dramatically collapsed on the guardrail to hold my position at front row center.

Reveling in the crowd's eager anticipation, Kill Hannah entered the stage with the intro from Until There’s Nothing Left of Us and played a shortened set, including old school favorite “Hummingbirds the Size of Bullets” and “Lips Like Morphine.” Frontman Mat Devine thanked the crowd and praised Leone. The band’s energetic power and infectious synths were a great start to the show.

Metro owner Joe Shanahan and Matthew Leone’s twin brother Nathan then came on stage, holding back tears and also giving their thanks. On the spot, an auctioneer rattled off other items to raise funds: $1,600 for a collection of Pumpkins memorabilia, $2,500 for a signed poster and $4,000 to meet Billy after the show. I’m lucky I left the AMEX at home. Unexpectedly, Illinois governor Pat Quinn joined Nathan and Shanahan on stage, proclaiming July 27, 2010 as Matthew Leone Day in Chicago. Wiping tears from my face, I felt proud to be in attendance.

Shanahan then announced the Pumpkins would take the stage and the crowd cheered uproariously. Without speaking, the band began their two-hour set with “Astral Planes.” The last time the band played Metro was their final show in 2000, and even though only one original member remains, Billy never stopped enchanting his audience. After seeing several Pumpkins shows, the songs weren’t anything unexpected, but the power of their live show is undeniable. Raising my arms in the air, I screamed along to their classic hits and new tracks. I wasn’t too impressed with their rendition of “Perfect” and I gave up hoping to hear “Muzzle,” but last night, it didn’t matter. The band dazzled with the same allure that drew me in as a child in 1995. Jeff Schroeder’s guitar work impressed me, but Mike Byrne will never really replace Jimmy Chamberlin. His Bieberesque baby face reminds me more of the frontman of Slitheryn in 2003.

After a jubilant encore of “1979” where Joe, Nathan, Kill Hannah and Metro staffers joined the band on stage, Billy auctioned off one of his guitars for $10,000, reminding us all of the real reason we were there: to support Matthew Leone.

Set List:
Astral Planes
Ava Adore
Hummer
As Rome Burns
Song for a Son
Today
Eye
Bullet with Butterfly Wings
United States
Blessed Mother
Perfect
Cherub Rock
That's the Way (My Love Is)
Owata
Stand Inside Your Love
Tarantula
Tonight Tonight

Encore
1979
Gossamer