THE MACHINE SOMEHOW

Updated Downloads

2012-01-31T22:19:00.001Z

Added one or two bits and pieces here, for the canny eyed amongst you. Grab um before SOPA (mk2) gets um for no good reason. Oh, and if you have any requests or shows I don't have - give us a shout down below - or on twitter or such like. Cheers.

Drum Hero... DRUM GOD - Jimmy Chamberlin

2012-01-25T18:52:00.002Z

http://thepantherlabmusic.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/drum-gods-jimmy-chamberlin/

Jimmy Chamberlin DRUM HERO

2012-01-18T21:49:00.001Z

"I think Jimmy Chamberlin is a fucking animal, just unbelievable." So says drumming tyke Mike Byrne again.

Skysaw to make Cathedral Centrepiece of new Record

2012-01-10T21:47:00.001Z

Well, it could be an EP - so say's Mike in a new interview with ROCK EDITION

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T18:31:00.002Z

Happy Christmas

2011-12-24T12:17:00.003Z

Go Buy the Smashing Pumpkins Re-Issues...

2011-11-29T22:39:00.001Z

Top Marks for Smashing Pumpkins Re-Issues

2011-11-28T21:32:00.001Z

Taking a leaf from HU and Crestfallen.com, check them out here

Did Corgan just sort of Appologise to Chamberlin...?

2011-11-28T20:43:00.001Z

Thanks HU xx

Here's a transcript for part of an interview on Radio 1's Zane Lowe program, with Billy Corgan, celebrating Siamese Dream.

Corgan contradicts his previous remarks about the end of his relationship with former Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin...
Zane Lowe: How can you guys not be in contact still? Even if you’re not making music, if you have that kind of spiritual kinship? That’s deeper than that! Isn’t it?

Billy Corgan: You know, we’ve all had — and this may sound a little bit strange, but — we’ve all had great romances in our life, you know? And, they don’t always all go the way we want them to. And it doesn’t mean we don’t love, and doesn’t mean we don’t think fondly of… But I think relationships run their course. Jimmy and I made so much incredible music together, so, you know, if we never play together again, that’s okay with me.

He — you know, I want to speak for him for a second, I feel I can — he wanted to have his own musical journey. He was always on my musical journey. And so I have to really bow my hat to him and say…I think it’s that time in his life where he has to have his own musical journey. He’s entitled to it. He’s earned that. I understand why a fan would want to see him play with me and play those songs. He did it. Maybe having his own band and having his own music experience and not having somebody sort of veto over his head what the drum fill should be…I mean, you’ve got to remember, as psychic as that relationship was, he had to deal with me going, “Nah, I don’t really like that drum fill.” You know, “Can you slow that part down?” Because as the songwriter you get to make the calls. And he was always so so supportive of my music, so, I can’t say a bad word about it. I just think we reached a point where there was nothing else to do, and that’s that. The ugliness part is just the part of…that just goes with breaking up.

Cool///Pics///Here

2011-11-04T22:41:00.003Z

http://www.facebook.com/VicsDrumShop

Chamberlin's Skysaw release second 'Official' Video

2011-11-02T20:29:00.002Z

DRUM SOLO!

2011-11-01T20:23:00.000Z

More on Vic's Drum shop when I spot it - for now, enjoy;

oh - DOUBLE PEDAL

Go See Jimmy @ Vic's Drum Shop

2011-10-28T22:27:00.000+01:00

Jimmy Chamberlin and Umphrey's McGee

2011-10-25T21:41:00.001+01:00

Kicking off the music portion of the Groupon Arts Collaboration Series, here's Jimmy with Umphrey's McGee at their recent performance;

Question

2011-10-22T00:16:00.003+01:00

I don't quite understand why it seems at times to be accepted by 'a general listening public' [e.g. not musicians & certainly not drummers] that whilst the rest of a given band plays note for pretty much note what a song is [as defined by a recorded version of it ] - whilst the drummer plays what amounts to degrading, say 'Asturias', into power chords (with half the strings missing) and yet that, that seems to be OK with them?

Whyyyyy...

2011-10-20T21:46:00.000+01:00

Mixtape Madness: Songs That Should Be On the Smashing Pumpkins Reissues http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/152708/mixtape-madness-songs-that-should-be-on-the-smashing-pumpkins-reissues/

Gish and Siamese Dream SPECIAL EDITIONS

2011-10-18T23:22:00.001+01:00

Pre-order @ Smashingpumpkins.com

Here's hoping Billy hasn't done a George Lucas

Buy Jimmy Chamberlin's Zwan Kit

2011-10-18T23:17:00.000+01:00

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jimmy-Chamberlins-Yamaha-Maple-Custom-Absolute-17pc-Kit-/230688035078?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b6141106

Jimmy Chamberlin's Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute 17pc Kit

Tom Sizes:
5.5x8
8x10
9x13
12x14
15x16
16x18
Single Headed Toms
5.5x8
6x10
8x12
8.5x13
10x14
Gong Bass Drum
18x20
Bass Drums
18x20
18x22
18x24
Snares:
5.5x14
7x14 (Elvin Jones)

Chamberlin Teams with Groupon - Breaks Records

2011-10-18T23:01:00.000+01:00

Ex-Smashing Pumpkins drummer Chamberlin partners with Groupon [http://shar.es/btM6N] and brings you a a world record breaking 1st event with a screening of "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off" @ Wriggly Field

Guess that maybe why he was hanging about here

Corgan on Jimmy Chamberlin's Return to Smashing Pumpkins

2011-10-13T21:18:00.001+01:00

... in 1999 (sorry)

In a recent phone interview, with detnews.com Corgan recalls Jimmy Chamberlin's triumphant return to the band in 1999;

...The Pumpkins had just reunited with drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, and while there were rumors he was back with the band, the audience wasn't sure until Chamberlin sat down behind his kit and pounded out his signature intro to "I Am One."

"I'll tell you what, I've played a couple thousand shows in my life, and the sound that came out of that audience when they realized it was Jimmy on the drums was probably one of the top five moments that I've ever had on stage," says Corgan. "It was a complete joy, it was so beautiful."...

Listen to that moment, here or here

Here's hoping that one day, this moment can be repeated...

Marathon Man (& Woman)

2011-10-11T22:50:00.002+01:00

Looks like Jimmy and Lori Chamberlin, successfully completed the Chicago half-marathon, which they were running in order to raise funds for Cure JM; a foundation which supports research into finding a cure for juvenile mitosis, a debilitating condition which their son, Lucas, suffers from. They raised over $3,000 for the cause.

Chamberlin Attends Charity Fund-Raiser

2011-10-11T22:28:00.000+01:00

On 06 October, Jimmy Chamberlin was in attendance at the "Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center 2011 Momentum Awards Dinner" a fund-raising event attended by 'entrepreneurs, seasoned business people and financial types' according to ChicagoBusiness.com

Billy Corgan Finally Talks some Sense

2011-10-10T18:20:00.002+01:00

Q. You're the only original member of The Smashing Pumpkins and I've heard a lot of people say, 'Well, that's not the real Smashing Pumpkins.' What do you say to that?
A. "I say, of course it's not the real Smashing Pumpkins..."

Modern Drummer Reprints an Old Interview with Jimmy Chamberlin

2011-10-06T23:14:00.001+01:00

http://www.moderndrummer.com/site/2011/10/drummer-to-drummer-jimmy-chamberlin-and-william-mohler/#.To4mknJ-zcx

William [Billy Mohler]: What advice would you give up-and-coming drummers searching for their own voice?
Jimmy: Don’t go too far into someone else’s trip. Be your own player. You have something inside of you that is special and unlike anything else in this universe. Tap into it. Practice until you can release it. And then unleash it on the world. We’ll be listening!

Take heed, Mike Byrne.

They also have a cool clip from Gannin Arnold's DVD, if you haven't seen that...

[http://moderndrummer.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/JimmyChamberlin.m4v]

2011-10-06T22:28:00.000+01:00

Jimmy Chamberlin In-Store Apperance

2011-10-04T20:41:00.001+01:00

Jimmy Chamberlin Hits DrumHead Magazine

2011-09-21T22:48:00.000+01:00

Keep your eyes peeled on their site for further info

[New] Chamberlin in Modern Drummer Interview

2011-09-20T22:59:00.002+01:00

HERE in the online portion of their 'Influences' feature

MD: ...What’s your attitude toward other drummers picking up on things you’ve played?

Jimmy: ...My thing is that I don’t want to sound like anyone else. Even if I have to play sloppy to do it, I’m prepared to do that, because first and foremost what’s important to me is to not sound like anyone else... I often get chastised for telling people that the only point to practising is to learn to be yourself. But I really feel that way.

Looks like the interview will be expanded in the November issue of MD
(TB: http://www.moderndrummer.com/site/2011/09/jimmy-chamberlin-the-ex-smashing-pumpkins-drummer-takes-a-new-direction-with-skysaw/trackback/)

2011-09-20T21:04:00.000+01:00

Thank God JC already ruled this out... unlike some

Music Review: Gannin Arnold Project- 5 World Class Drummers - Music - Blogcritics

2011-09-13T21:06:00.000+01:00

Music Review: Gannin Arnold Project- 5 World Class Drummers - Music - Blogcritics

Smashing Pumpkins Record Club

2011-09-01T20:41:00.000+01:00

Smashing Pumpkins are opening up the archives, at last. Head over to SP.com and subscribe now for a previously unreleased and unheard version of Drown and there's an Easter Egg of an early version of Chamberlin's monster grover Geek U.S.A. to boot ...

Jimmy Chamberlin's Skysaw on JBTV

2011-08-24T01:23:00.001+01:00

Next week yo (27/08/2011)

Sponsor The Chamberlin Family (Cure JM Foundation)

2011-08-17T11:47:00.000+01:00

Chicago Half Marathon & 5K
Hello Dear Friends and Family,
It has been over a year now since Lucas was diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis. What a year it has been. After 8 months of infusions, multiple visits to Children's Hospital, surgeries, biopsies, a few trips to the ER, and 15 months of medicine we haven't reached remission yet, but we are on our way! I am confident that we will hear those words sometime next year. Lucas is a strong boy who amazes us everyday with his incredible willpower and strength to heal. In spite of his condition he was able to spend the winter ski racing and even managed to be the fastest 1-4 year old down hill slalom racer in the country! All thanks to Dr. Pachman at Children's Memorial.
Jimmy and I are running the Chicago 5k to raise funds for Cure JM. They are the only foundation actively seeking a cure for this awful disease that affects children. Lucas is lucky that he didn't have to spend anytime in a wheelchair. Many kids with JDM are so weak that they cannot even swallow. Dr. Pachman has devoted her life to help these kids get better and have a normal childhood. Let's band together and help this wonderful organization find a cure!
You can donate two ways. The simplest is right here by clicking the donate now button. The second is by going directly to http://www.curejm.com/team/donations.htm
If you donate directly on the Cure JM website every penny you donate will go directly to Cure JM!
Thank you!
Jimmy and Lori

2011-08-12T23:51:00.000+01:00

I'm taking a bit of a break from updating stuff on a super regular basis as, well, I'm a new dad... I'll try and post a weekly round-up of news or such like when time affords.

Cheers & Rock On...

Laters.

Drevpile

Chamberlin to Grace the Cover of DRUMHEAD Magazine

2011-08-08T19:47:00.000+01:00

http://twitter.com/#!/Drumheadmag/status/100573914807271425

oh wait... Drum Channel Roundtable with Jimmy Chamberlin and Jim Keltner!!!

2011-08-01T19:35:00.002+01:00

Coming in August - @drumchannel > L.A.M.A. Rountable with Jim Keltner, Jimmy Chamberlin,
Thomas Pridgen & Ralph Humphrey

Jim Keltner and Jimmy Chamberlin.

JIM KELTNER and JIMMY CHAMBERLIN

Edit > 02 August booooo... looks like it won't be JC anymore, it appears Matt Cameron is stepping in. This is going to be 22nd August...:cry:

Not Much Doin'...

2011-08-01T17:56:00.002+01:00

Skysaw - No One Can Tell - Video

2011-07-19T18:42:00.001+01:00

For those of you who can watch, tis blocked here in the UK for some reason.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U74gy_a4Bic

Skysaw 2011-07-02 Black Cat - Download

2011-07-16T19:22:00.000+01:00

Right here. Cheers cabbage

Gannin Arnold DVD Promo

2011-07-15T16:53:00.002+01:00

Jimmy Chamberlin Drum Set Up Page

2011-07-13T18:10:00.002+01:00

Feel free to comment directly here

Skysaw - Photostream

2011-07-12T18:49:00.000+01:00

On Flicker.

Gannin Arnold DVD

2011-07-12T18:39:00.003+01:00

You can also pick this up from the Drum Channel store now. It's region free, if anyone is wondering.

Buy Chamberlin's Mansion

2011-07-12T18:30:00.000+01:00

It's rather nice, if you have a spare $1.6 million

Alex Markow Photography: ...Skysaw

2011-07-06T20:00:00.001+01:00

Alex Markow Photography: Minus the Bear, Skysaw, and The Constellations at ...: "Ft. Lauderdale, FL- The Minus the Bear show was the last show at Revolution before it would be closed to the public for a month for filming ..."

Skysaw @Blackcat Review

2011-07-04T20:24:00.000+01:00

Here

...the heavy songs really soared. They had as many as three guitars going at times, but two of them alternated to keyboards (singer Mike Reina spending more time there). I heard a lot of heavy King Crimson when they were rocking. I was thinking third album "Lizard" since the vocals reminded me of Gordon Haskell (one of the early of the revolving door vocalist/bassists). The synthesizer on top of the Yamaha even sounded a bit like a mellotron in one song. The very dense intriguing interplay between these solid musicians really stood out during the finer songs. When they really rocked, I even imagined Radio Birdman trying to cover Golden Earring's "Radar Love" sheet music after only hearing Golden Earring's "Twilight Zone".

And now, James Iha...

2011-07-01T20:03:00.001+01:00

Just thought I'd link this little interview here - as it seems to me to echo a bit what Jimmy has been saying of late, aside from the band leading stuff, of course.

The Swerve - Skysaw Live Review

2011-06-30T21:20:00.001+01:00

Skysaw at Hard Rock Cafe - June 28, 2011

Moar...

...The highlight of the show was "Cathedral." Chamberlin and Anthony Pirog traded riffs throughout until Chamblerlin let loose with a solo that brought the audience to their feet with wild cheers encouraged by Mike Reina. Chamberlin is a musician first, and his skill allows him to forsake the theatrics of other drummers. The ease with which he plays most songs allows the audience to underestimate him until he lets loose with a solo of this caliber.

While it would be great to see Skysaw play Pittsburgh again, hopefully they will land a venue more appropriate for their talent and sound.

Videos from Jimmy Chamberlin's Skysaw Live

2011-06-29T20:41:00.000+01:00

From the 28th June @ the Hard Rock Cafe 2011. Thanks to VastOceanCommuter

'Another' [...Be Specific] Interview with Jimmy Chamberlin

2011-06-29T20:34:00.000+01:00

Over at the Washington Post thus;

...You're just going out on short tour. Are you thinking about a full tour later?
...There's lots of ways to put a band over these days. Doing it 200 people at a time doesn't make a lot of sense to me economically, spiritually and energetically. It doesn't add up to what it used to. You used to go out and play to a thousand people and look at [sales figures] the next day and see that 800 of those people went out and bought the record ….For me the idea of going out for two, three years to build a band in sweaty nightclubs, having done that for most of my life and being in my 40s now [is untenable]. It's not that I don't enjoy playing, but I think three good ideas are better than 50 shows ….Part of the reason I left my old band is because it was all encompassing, and I didn't have time for my family. It's just a different set of values.
When you say your old band, do you mean the Pumpkins or Zwan?
No — I was talking about the Pumpkins. Part of the reason that I left the Pumpkins is because it was becoming all-consuming. Being the only member of that band who had two kids and a wife, it was a hard decision, but ultimately it was a decision I'm comfortable with.

Was it hard to decompress from being a Pumpkin? There must have been a level of post-traumatic stress involved.
There was no post-traumatic stress, but there was a level of decompression. It took a while to be like, okay, I do have a family, I do have two kids and a wife. From the start of [Pumpkins album] “Zeitgeist” to the time I left, we had been full tilt for three years. When you have a four year-old son, that's 75% of his life...

Jimmy Chamberlin - Songwriter

2011-06-28T20:29:00.001+01:00

Putting the Sophistication back into Society

Check out the full interview, over at Songwriters on Process, right >here<

Selected morsels >below<

On Skysaw; With a song like "Sad Reasons" on this record, I sat down in my office and just played the song from start from start to finish on my guitar... It didn't involve a lot of process other than making myself available to what was going on around me. That song in particular was a telling exercise because I was interested in how it would change over time after I recorded it and again after I delivered it to the band. But the first version I laid down in my studio in the basement is the one that made it to the record."

On Tonight Tonight; "...the muse can take many different forms. Ideally, the greatest gift it to be hand-delivered a song from the cosmos and have it be the version. Billy Corgan often writes the same way. Like with "Tonight Tonight," he said he just woke up one morning, went down to the piano, and played it. And much like with a lot of those drum parts that happened in the Pumpkins, the first time he played it for me, the drum part you hear is the first drum part I thought of."

On playing the guitar; "I'm not that sophisticated of a guitar player to be able to come up with ... the riff of the century."

On Tolkien, Thelonious Monk and Mark Twain; In the arranging and production of songs, when I'm building them from the chords up and putting layerings of production in a song, I want to feel like I'm building this Tolkienesque world of music that's available to people on many layers... Thelonius Monk was always good at playing something that on the surface appeared simple, but as you delved deeper you realized that the chord structure on which the melody was based was so complex.. The idea behind playing the drums is to play something simple enough so that people can rhythmically attach to it, but as an artist my job is also to satisfy myself with a sophistication that exists within the music. Mark Twain invites you into his world with seeming simplicity, but once you get into his writing, you realize how complex it is.

On Zeitgeist; When I was with the Pumpkins and we did Zeitgeist, it had been almost seven years since we made the album before it. So having to go and play that style of drumming again, I was often I was at loggerheads with myself because I was saying, "I don't really play like this anymore..." It became difficult to mine that stuff from 1996 and relearn how to play like that. It would be like writing in the style you did when you were a sophomore in college. That would be difficult since you've moved on...

Again, go check out the full thing. It's rather insightful indeed.

Gannin Arnold DVD - Available Here

2011-06-27T20:36:00.000+01:00

And by here, I mean here > http://www.alfred.com/Products/Gannin-Arnold-5-World-Class-Drummers--93-DV10027001.aspx

Skysaw; Rehearsal, Backstage and Live Photos - Gallore!!!

2011-06-27T20:09:00.001+01:00

Kiku, you are a star:

More Skysaw Rehersal Photos

2011-06-26T14:57:00.001+01:00

Again, courtesy of Kiku - check them out here.

Day 1 shots here.

Skysaw at the Metro - June 25 2011

2011-06-26T14:42:00.000+01:00

Will post reviews and pics, if and, when I find em.

Here's one to be going on with;

Interview with Jimmy Chamberlin - Dynasty Podcast

2011-06-26T14:18:00.002+01:00

CVU86 - Jimmy Chamberlin by DYNASTY PODCASTS

In this, one of the last ever Local Q101 interviews (?), Chamberlin talks about the current state of the music industry, touring, the future of Skysaw and more.

Skysaw - Behind the Scenes...

2011-06-25T18:30:00.000+01:00

My friend Kiku has posted some great behind the scenes shots of Skysaw rehearsing for, presumably, their appearance at JBTV and the record release show at the Metro.

They are good

SKYSAW - Cathedral - Soundchecked for JBTV

2011-06-25T09:59:00.005+01:00

http://www.twitvid.com/PW2JK

& a fan shot clip of "No One Can Tell" just popped up;

Update: The Set

Serrated
Am I Second
Sad Reasons
Great Civilizations
No One Can Tell
Tightrope Situation
All I Hear Is Snow
Nothing's Ever Easy
Capsized Jackknifed Crisis
Cathedral

Skysaw - Update Website

2011-06-24T19:08:00.000+01:00

http://www.skysawmusic.com/ - has been updated

Gannin Arnold DVD - 2 Weeks...

2011-06-22T21:38:00.000+01:00

I just got word that the Gannin Arnold live DVD, featuring Jimmy Chamberlin on 5 tracks, will be out in about two weeks.

Whoop

Great Civilizations Reviews - Collected Here

2011-06-21T18:11:00.005+01:00

I'll try and grab as many as I can, as they trickle in; hit up the comments if you see one I miss.

Cheers.

...Great Civilizations is rich with drum rolls that grab your attention, convicted guitar melodies and heart-felt lyrics. The whole album is an acclamation, a moving anthem. The tracks are arranged in a way that controls the mood; one song leading up to a frenzy the next turning the mood to a more reflective tone... >The Owl Magazine

...Chamberlin isn't able to play drums like it's 1995 (as he told this reviewer last Monday) but you'd be hard-pressed to convince listeners otherwise on album highlight "Capsized Jacknifed Crisis." His ridiculously fast but smooth stick work, and the pop rock behind this well-produced piece of work are pleasurable to listen to every time.... By the time you get through these 10 tracks, if you're like this writer, you'll appreciate and dig Chamberlin's new direction more than you thought you would and will definitely want to hear a follow-up to Great Civilizations, one of the more impressive debut records of 2011 >BlogCritics

Skysaw’s debut album Great Civilizations is a tour of prog, arena, and quiet keyboard rock. Pirog’s guitar hooks are fast and relentless; Chamberlin’s drums are tight and martial. [Great Civilizations] reaches for the booming symphonies of Rush's Fly By Night or Moving Pictures. But only a handful of its 10 songs achieve those heights... One wishes Skysaw had included “Cathedral”, a seven-minute spectacle of shredded fury and ricocheting drum crashes the band has been playing at recent shows and one that could make Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart envious. > Washington City Paper

...in this ten song set that proves immensely listenable from start to finish and actually scales higher peaks as it works its way forward...Great Civilizations does occasionally bow to its handle with some sweeping sentiment. Indeed, songs such as the effusive "No One Can Tell," a soaring "Nothing's Ever Easy," and the ever-insistent title track diminish any cause to quibble about Chamberlin's intent...Great Civilizations excels on its own merits, a damn fine debut due the kudos the press is bound to toss its way. > BLURT

...Skysaw struts through modern rock with the kind of confidence you'd expect from a musician as sharp as Chamberlin (the song "Capsized Jacknifed Crisis" evokes its title primarily because of Chamberlin's superbly wrecked drums), and there's a wonderful '60s delirium along the music's edges -- backwards guitars (guitarist Anthony Pirog) and woozy bass wobbles and MGMT-worthy psychedelic voices (vocalist Mike Reina). > Chicago Sun Times []

Skysaw Stream Album on Eve of Record Release

2011-06-20T20:24:00.002+01:00

Here

Interview with Jimmy Chamberlin

2011-06-16T22:13:00.000+01:00

Chamberlin talks Song-writing, Skysaw and Smashing Pumpkins

Over at "The Swerve Magazine", apportioned here;

TS: How is the collaborative process with Skysaw different than with the Pumpkins?
JC: With Smashing Pumpkins we were primarily working on the work of one writer and the rest of the band was in charge of arranging the material. With Skysaw everyone kind of writes. Everybody brings songs in and we all work on each other's songs. It's really more of a band situation. More of a collaborative effort insomuch that everybody; myself, Mike Reina and Anthony Pirog, are all songwriters. With the Pumpkins, it really got to the point where Billy was writing so much material that that's all we really worked on.

TS: You wrote a lot of the music, and then brought Mike in the handle most of the lyrics, is that right?
JC: Mike wrote all the lyrics on the record, and that's not to say that there's not lyrics that I've written for the songs that I wrote, because some of the songs on the Skysaw record have alternative lyrics. I have always felt as a musician and a song writer that, unless it's a cover, if it's a song that Mike's going to work on, I feel he should have an investment in the lyrics and what the lyrics are saying. Obviously, for me to tell him, "Here's the lyrics, I want you to sing about this uncomfortable experience" . . . I didn't want to do that to anybody [...]

TS: After working with Smashing Pumpkins where Billy Corgan is the frontman in the spotlight, what is it like to shift into more of a leadership position?
JC: [...] I feel like being in the Pumpkins was a harder job than being in Skysaw just because I had 20 years of legacy to uphold all the time, and I felt like I had to be a certain kind of person to be in that band. That necessarily wasn't the person I had become as an individual. With Skysaw it really gives me free reign to be myself and not have to deal with any preconceived notions of what the people in Skysaw are like. Being in the Pumpkins, you are a Pumpkin, so to speak. You go to work. You put that hat on, and you become that person. With this, it's a lot more open and I feel it's more representative of how I feel day-to-day.

TS: What was your inspiration in writing the Skysaw album?
JC: It's just asking yourself, "What does my life sound like now?" If I don't want to be in this situation, and I want to create something new what does that new situation sound like? And I think once you go down into your studio and pick up a guitar, you start to figure out, "Okay, this is what it sounds like. Now I can expand on this and kind of take it to the next level."

I found myself with a bunch of songs and needed and outlet with which to purge myself of those songs, and that was really Skysaw. I go through cycles. When I write a bunch of pop songs I have to find somewhere to jettison them so that I can move onto the next thing. The same thing with the Complex. I found myself being drawn to a lot of early 70s prog/jazz fusion, and in writing that stuff it was necessary to find a vehicle in which to jettison that stuff.

Anyway, go and read the whole thing - tis worth it.

JBTV Taping SKYSAW Live - WIN TICKETS

2011-06-16T18:48:00.001+01:00

http://jbtv.dostuff.info/event/458316

Event Details
50 random people (plus a guest) who RSVP will be chosen as winners and
will be notified via email within 48 hours of the event with all the
pertinent details. Tapings are in the River North area of Chicago and
all guests must be 18 years or older, or accompanied by an adult.

Happy Birthday Jimmy Chamberlin

2011-06-10T16:48:00.000+01:00

SKYSAW - GREAT CIVILIZATIONS - PRESS RELEASE

2011-06-08T22:01:00.000+01:00

Just thought i'd post here, for posterity n all...

SKYSAW
Great Civilizations
Release Date: June 21
Dangerbird Records

SKYSAW is the new project helmed by Jimmy Chamberlin, who wants to make one thing clear at the outset: “This project is not the vision of one person. It’s a band, a total collaboration. After being in the biz for 25 years, I know unity holds the power and gets the job done. Skysaw is a full democracy, the sum of all our personalities. If it becomes huge, great, but it’s really about creating an environment to grow some musical ideas. No matter what happens, I’m still happy to keep doing it. It feels good to be in a room with these guys on a purely musical level.”

The seeds of Skysaw were planted after Chamberlin left the Smashing Pumpkins in 2009. Sitting in his home studio, musical ideas began pouring out at a rapid pace. “I recorded 25 or 30 tunes, instrumentals without lyrics. One day I told Bill Thomas, who helped set up my home studio, ‘If I could find a songwriter with a great voice who lives in his studio, I’d do another band.’ He told me about Mike Reina.

“I got Mike on the phone and he sent me some tracks with a dark Beach Boys meets Tom Waits feel. I knew if we could combine what I know about rock dynamics and what he knows about melody and songwriting, we could do something original. I flew him to Chicago to record a song and get to know each other.” Chamberlin and Reina had similar ideas about blending progressive rock with cohesive melodies and simple vocal harmonies. They started writing the songs that became Great Civilizations.

“We worked on the album for a year and a half and Mike kept telling me about Tony,” Chamberlin continues. “We finished a song called ‘They’re Watching’ and left a space for a guitar solo. We sent it to Tony and what he sent back was blistering. I was sold. We invited him to join and he’s been a fantastic asset to the band.”

The music on Great Civilizations is full of the contradictions that make compelling music, at once light and densely layered, simple and progressive, expansive and down to earth. “Capsized Jackknifed Crisis” shifts between a dreamlike verse and a dramatic chorus, propelled by Chamberlin’s powerful drumming and Pirog’s icy guitar accents. “This song shows my Eno influence,” Reina says. “The band is named after the first track on Another Green World.” Chamberlin’s half time rhythm and Pirog’s aggressive, almost metallic guitar generate the overwhelming tension that makes “No One Can Tell” so compelling. “I layered up loops, pedals, backwards guitar parts and lap steel to fill out the sound,” Pirog says. Reina’s vocal captures the tension of a man watching his life fall apart, while pretending that everything is normal.

“Great Civilizations” has the anthemic feel of a U2 track, with an uplifting vocal from Reina, supported by Chamberlin’s emotive stick work and Pirog’s complex guitar pyrotechnics. “I used the Edge’s delay pedal for this one and added a 12 string guitar part, a flurry of arpeggios and a lot of open string country guitar scales that weren’t easy to play,” Pirog says. “My right had was really tired when we finished that track.” Reina blended keyboard and guitar sounds to create the ominous instrumental harmonies of “All I Hear Is Snow.” His vocals slip in and out of focus, to convey the late night struggle of a man trying to stay awake at the wheel as the weather, and his life, slowly turn to darkness.

Great Civilizations was created with the trio writing, playing and producing the music themselves. “We played the basic tracks live in my studio or Mike’s,” Chamberlin says. “Mike’s a great arranger, but we all had input into every song. We did a lot of self-policing as the album progressed. ‘Is it good enough?,’ is the question you have to ask yourself, but we’re all perfectionists. I’m always touching up my drum parts and Mike does and redoes his vocals till he’s satisfied. We think that care shows in the music.”

Skysaw recently played their debut gig at the Complex in Los Angeles with Paul Wood and Boris Skalsky of Dead Heart Bloom filling out the line up. “The players were fantastic. We were well rehearsed and, to get a crowd in LA to even clap, is amazing,” Chamberlin crows. “We got a great response. People saw we were a real band. Even the record company people, who thought the group only existed in my mind, were impressed. I can’t wait to get on the road and start playing for the rest of the country.”

Meet SKYSAW

Jimmy Chamberlin was born in Juliet, Illinois, the youngest of six children. He father worked on the railroad and played amateur clarinet, informed by artists like Artie Shaw and Pete Fountain. “My older brothers and sisters were into music and listened to Dylan, the Doors, Cream, Deep Purple, Led Zep. Everything from Duke Ellington to Jimi was coming out of the rooms in our house,” Chamberlin says. “My older brother Paul was a drummer. When I was 7, I’d play on his drum kit in the basement. I took lessons with Charlie Adams, who played for Yanni later on, until I turned pro at 15.”

Chamberlin played with local rap/rock bands, but his bread and butter was a gig in the polka band of Eddie Karosa, who hosted a weekly TV show called Polka Party on WCIU. “From there I played in any professional group I could find. I was making 200 bucks a week, enough to buy a car and not have to work a day job. I played in polka bands and cover bands doing everything from Broadway show tunes to the Beach Boys. When the Smashing Pumpkins came to see me, they rescued me from blue sport coat cover bands. I was into progressive jazz at the time - Tony Williams and Weather Report. In the Pumpkins, I found my own way to express myself. I could do anything I wanted in that band.”

After leaving the Pumpkins, Chamberlin joined Billy Corgan and Matt Sweeny in Zwan. They made one album and broke up. “Then I started The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex. From a musical standpoint, it was successful and continues to this day, but we haven’t released any music since our first album in 2005.” After rejoining and leaving the Pumpkins again, Chamberlin went home and started writing songs.

“I never wrote that much before and wondered where it was all coming from. I knew I needed someone who could sing and put lyrics to this stuff. Bill Thomas gave me Mike Reina’s phone number and after a short exchange of musical ideas, we agreed to work together.

Mike Reina was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia. “When I was a boy, I used to sleepwalk and turn on the stereo every night. An early indicator of my love of music,” Reina says. “My father played piano, accordion and guitar. He had a nice Gibson nylon string that became my first guitar. I took piano lessons, but when I reached my teen rebel years, I stopped playing. I picked up guitar again in high school when I discovered The Beatles and kept at it. In college, I got a Rhodes piano and joined Inches to flood, a progressive rock band. I wasn’t the singer, but I did write the songs. That got me back into keys and led to synthesizers and an obsession with Roger Waters’ era Pink Floyd. I found a whole world inside my synth; I’ve been synthesizers them ever since.”

Reina was a fan of Phaser, another local outfit. After a conversation with band members Paul Wood and Boris Skalsky, he joined the band. “That was my first professional experience. When that came to an end, I built a studio and started a solo album. When I put together a band to do a one off gig to play some of the songs I’d been writing, it went so well I asked them to come in and add to the record.” Reina called the group The Jackfields. They became one of the top bands in the DC area. “I saw Anthony play one night and thought he was phenomenal. I asked him to join the band and he did. We were in the process of finishing The Jackfields album, when Jimmy called and we got sidetracked.”

Anthony Pirog grew up in the suburbs of Washington DC. His father played in surf bands in the 60s and bequeathed his son a 1963 Fender Jaguar. “I taught myself to play Roy Orbison’s ‘Pretty Woman’ from a video I got from the library,” Pirog says. “From then on, I played all the time. My dad listened to Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, surf and doo-wop. I took it all in. I was in 15 different bands during high school. By my junior year, I was into free jazz and experimental music.”

A scholarship to a summer session at Boston’s Berklee School of music to study jazz guitar was a turning point. “I knew I wanted to be a musician, but wasn’t sure I could make it. Berklee was only offering 17 slots for that summer session. I decided I’d become a musician if I got a scholarship, so the decision as made for me.” After high school, Pirog stayed at Berklee for two years and finished his degree in Jazz Performance at NYU.

Pirog moved back to DC and became known for his shredding style and an ability to play everything from outside jazz to freak folk. He played in rockabilly, oldies and electronica bands as well as free form solo gigs that allowed him to explore the outer limits of his creativity. “I started a label called Sonic Mass Records to put out my first album, Beginning to End, solo improvisations for guitar. It was atonal, far out and experimental. That led to Janel and Anthony, a cello and guitar duo that I have with my girlfriend Janel Leppin, which got us deeper into the experimental scene. About a year ago, Mike came to one of my shows and asked me to join The Jackfields. I stayed for two years before moving to New York with Janel to play jazz. When Mike started working with Jimmy, they asked me to add guitar on a song they were working on. That got me involved in the project. They’ve given me the opportunity to play rock without limitations, so it will be interesting to see how far we can go.”

For more information, please contact:
Good Cop Public Relations

Here's a picture or two;

June Album of the Month: SkySaw "Great Civilizations"

2011-06-08T21:04:00.000+01:00

June Album of the Month: SkySaw "Great Civilizations"

THE MACHINE SOMEHOW: DOWNLOADS

2011-06-08T14:25:00.000+01:00

THE MACHINE SOMEHOW: DOWNLOADS: Added the Skysaw Diamond Ballroom full show to the page. MP3 or FLV.

SKYSAW - Cathedral Live Video

2011-06-07T22:32:00.001+01:00

Further to Pistol Pete's full show, check out another vid - this time from 29 May 2011.

Liking the variations of this song so far...

Preorder Skysaw Great Civilizations & Get Immediate Download

2011-06-07T18:46:00.000+01:00

Preorder Skysaw <i>Great Civilizations</i> & Get Immediate Download

SKYSAW LIVE - FULL SHOW

2011-06-04T19:46:00.002+01:00

Cheers Pistol Pete ... (more info to follow)

Diamond Ballroom - Oklahoma City, OK (June 03, 2011)
Set:
1. Capsized Jackknifed Crisis
2. Great Civilizations
3. Serrated
4. Am I Second
5. Sad Reasons
6. All I Hear Is Snow
7. No One Can Tell
8. Cathedral

Nice Set of Skysaw Live Shots

2011-06-02T17:43:00.001+01:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonsheesley/sets/72157626740166815/with/5788173835/

Jimmy Chamberlin DW Snare Video

2011-06-02T17:23:00.000+01:00

YUM

Jimmy Chamberlin Skysaw Tour Update - 3

2011-06-01T18:13:00.001+01:00

http://www.facebook.com/skysawmusic/posts/166388400091952

5/30/11

Three shows in the beautiful Carolinas and the band is on fire. We've taken the songs to another level live and the crowds are right there with us. After struggling a bit with the sound in Greenville, Wilmington was a standout show as well as Charleston last night. I am really impressed with the bands ability to translate the music into a live context. It's not the easiest thing to get up and play a bunch of songs that no one has ever heard and win a crowd over. In fact , it can be downright difficult under the best circumstances. This music clearly has a destination beyond any of our dreams and a heartfelt embrace to those of you who have hitched your wagons to the Skysaw express.

That's all for now but those of you who know me know I could have said much more.

With love and respect,

JC

SKYSAW - [Live Review]

2011-06-01T18:10:00.000+01:00

http://stereosubversion.com/reviews/minus-the-bear-live-the-handlebar

I assume Skysaw takes their name from the Brian Eno song of the same name, because, like Eno, their music is full of tension, yet melody. And, like Eno, they know the importance of texture. Singer and multi-instrumentalist Mike Reina’s voice comes out like a mixture of Ted Leo and Peter Gabriel—a forceful tenor able to capture a melody and make it his own. Skysaw’s drummer is none other than Jimmy Chamberlin, formerly of Smashing Pumpkins—a fact I found out only a day before the show. As always, his style is tight and rapid-fire, but oddly enough, a bit understated. As it turns out, Skysaw was originally Chamberlin’s outlet for some of his new musical ideas post-Smashing Pumpkins, and Reina worked with Chamberlin to flesh out the ideas along with the other band members. But Skysaw aren’t the single vision of anyone, as it’s clear that the band is well-rehearsed and embodies a symphonic space all their own. I’m anxious to hear more from them in the future.

2011-06-01T18:08:00.000+01:00

http://illinoisentertainer.com/2011/05/file-june-2011/

Jimmy Chamberlin’s new outfit, Skysaw, come to Metro on the 25th. The former Pumpkins drummer brings former Jackfields Mike Reina and Anthony Pirog with him, for a more pop-oriented project than his ongoing fusion gig, Jimmy Chamberlin Complex. “This is more about songwriting, orchestrating, being in a band with collaborators,” he says, “as opposed to going out to play jazz fusion, which is a part of me, just not this part.” For now the goal is to play handfuls of shows and record, record, record. “I know I’m having a great time now. We’re on the road, I’m setting my stuff up, we’re in a van with a trailer. I’ve never really asked much more of music that that. We don’t have any preconceived notions or grandiose expectations, especially in light of the current music business profile. The goal is just to have fun and put out as much music as we can, and maintain an economic profile so that we can keep doing it.” Great Civilizations (Dangerbird) arrives on the 21st.

SKYSAW - Live Review

2011-05-26T19:10:00.000+01:00

Great, frank, review of the Skysaw show @ The Ritz in Ybor City, FL here @ KissesandNoise.com

I've nabbed one of John's videos, which includes a small, but killer, section of one of me favourite Skysaw songs from the start, Cathedral:

(YUM)

<p>&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;Awe</p>

Holy fuck, indeed.

The Answer to Your Question, the Answer to Your Guess...

2011-05-25T19:18:00.000+01:00

Jimmy Chamberlin and Mike Reina talk SKYSAW, Smashing Pumpkins, Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, SP Archives and... Mike Byrne

Special thanks to John Prinzo we've got a couple of your questions answered below.
Check out his site or the suburbanapologist.com for the full interview. The whole thing is most definitely worth a read.

The typical trajectory of a band starting off is to tour then record – how does it feel to turn that concept on its head?

MR: It’s interesting to construct tightly wound songs and then go looking for the places where they can stretch out a bit live.

Who put together the orchestral arrangement on “Am I Second?”

MR: Jimmy wrote the orchestral arrangement, Anthony transcribed it and we recorded it at my place.

How many songs have you recorded as SkySaw?
MR: Eleven – I think and demoed probably 12-15 others.

What was Roy Thomas Baker’s involvement with the record?

JC: We worked with Roy early on. Jimmy sent him “No One Can Tell” and asked if he wanted to be involved. He loved the song and came out to my place to work with us for two weeks. After the first two weeks we decided to remain insular and produce the record ourselves. We started from scratch and continued working together as we had previous to our stint with Roy. He was hilarious, by the way.

Have you changed up your kit for SkySaw? I noticed a few pictures that didn’t seem to have the left mounted 14” tom or quite as many cymbals. If so, is this a reflection of your approach to this sound or brand of music?

JC: I moved things around for one show. My configuration is the same.

(DP: The drummer for the Constellations, who are joining Minus the Bear and Skysaw on tour tweets: "Wanted 2 clarify-he's still using yellow Yamahas while his DW kit is being made."

What is the name of this song…

…and will it see a release?

JC: “Cathedral.” It is fairly new, not yet recorded and will be on the next release following Great Civilizations

Rumors are that the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex had a couple of tracks in the works, details?

JC: The complex lives and will rise up again at some point. Mohler and I started working on stuff before I left the Pumpkins and we continue to do so. It’s really just a time issue. We are both very busy these days.

What, if anything, can you say about the upcoming Smashing Pumpkin re-masters and re-releases?

JC: I am very excited. Those records are sacred to me and I’m thrilled that they will be Repackaged and marketed to another generation. The Pumpkins still have a lot to offer, old and new I’m sure.

As a respected musician and accomplished drummer, what is your summation of Mike Byrne? Ya know, if you were evaluating him or grading him or just your opinion.

JC: I think Mike is perfect for what Billy is doing now; a great drummer with an extremely bright future.

__________________________________
Again, check out the full interview right, here

Interview/Podcast with Jimmy Chamberlin

2011-05-24T20:19:00.002+01:00

http://www.stationcaster.com/player_skinned.php?s=39&c=245&f=78102

"Mase talks it up with former Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin about his new band SKYSAW...playing clubs again and ripping off his own drum parts. "

Just having a listen now...

EDIT:

Skysaw is not about making a hit record... it’s about having fun

Chamberlin clarifies his statement in the recent SPIN magazine interview "I've learned that you can call it a band, but unless everyone is contributing it's not really” and says that this doesn’t apply to his time in the Pumpkins; in particular with his song-writing relationship with Billy.

With regards to recording: JC recorded the drums, bass, guitar and vocals to tape – loaded to pro-tools for mixing; “24 Tracks just wasn’t enough”.

In terms of Roy Thomas Baker, it appears his presence was a little ‘imposing’; “Mike and Anthony were a little freaked out”; the sounds he was getting were ‘bigger than the band...he brings more than just his Rolls Royce to the studio” and they didn’t actually end up using any of the tracks recorded with RTB on this record, but he hopes to record again in the future with him and his “stamp” is all over Great Civilizations.

They talked briefly about the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, writing, recording, and mixing in 40 days... nothing about anything new from them (JC and Billy Mohler) though...

With regards to hitting the club scene again; the feeling of playing doesn’t change whether or not you’re getting your drums out of the back of a (white?) van and setting them up yourself and if you’re a millionaire getting a massage before a show. It’s the same experience; just as long as people are having a good time.

With regards to the Pumpkins; JC left it in the immortal words of D’arcy; “being in the Pumpkins, was like being in a marriage with 3 people you wouldn’t even consider dating”.

SP ARCHIVES UPDATE:

JC is not involved at all, other than giving it the green light.

Chamberlin SKYSAW Tour Update 2

2011-05-23T18:57:00.000+01:00

5/22/11

Another great show last night in Jacksonville, Fl. with "minus the bear" and our new opener, " the constellations", who were great BTW. Our show opened with No One Can Tell and the crowd was immediately into it and with us for the duration. Here is the setlist per your requests.

NOCT
Capsized
Am I Second
Great Civilizations
Tightrope
All I Hear is Snow
Serrated
Cathedral

It was hot as heck but I felt like the band played great and the crowd was super into it. I'm so happy to be able to do this type of playing. Small clubs are great places to grow your garden with the fans providing sunshine, air and water. Looking forward to Ft. Lauderdale tomorrow night! Today is a day off. We are going to relax by the ocean and work on some arrangements. Thanks to all for another great time in music!

Regards,
JC

http://www.facebook.com/skysawmusic/posts/216630178361642

First Pic of Chamberlin's new DW Kit from the Tour

2011-05-23T18:52:00.002+01:00

http://lockerz.com/s/104031146

The set-up remains intact... hopefully we'll see some more pics, aud, vids surface soon... hopefully.

Chamberlin on the Skysaw Tour

2011-05-21T22:04:00.000+01:00

Last night was the first show of our mini tour with minus the bear. We played the varsity theatre in Baton Rouge,La. The crowd was fantastic and it felt so good to be playing. Baton Rouge knows how to rock out! Skysaw is coming into it's own as a live band and I am so proud of my bandmates and their continued dedication to music. Paul Wood flew from New York yesterday, missed his connection in Charlotte, and not being able to get to Baton Rouge, hopped on a flight to New Orleans and drove the 80 or so miles in a rental car up to Baton Rouge to make it in time for the show with an hour of so to spare!

For me personally the band , tour, marks a return to a lot of things that I haven't done in a while. Being on the road with just the band , no crew, no tour manager, staying in cheap hotels, setting my own stuff up every night and tearing it down - loading the trailer! I must say that it brings a different resonance to the music. One I haven't enjoyed in a while. When you set your drums up yourself , you play differently. There is a reverence to the art as a whole, not just the performance, but the life. It is sacred. I love these times and I thank every one of you for making them possible.

We are off to florida to rock out again tomorrow. I look forward to seeing some old friends and making some new ones.

Regards, JC

http://www.facebook.com/skysawmusic/posts/203047426399877

Another Interview with Mike Reina of SKYSAW

2011-05-19T21:37:00.000+01:00

HERE

Including a little bit more talk about the cross-country collaboration involved the recording of Great Civilizations.

Questions?

2011-05-17T20:09:00.001+01:00

I might, might, be able to coax JC and Skysaw to answer a couple of questions...

I have my own super nerdy ideas of course, but rather than just ask them - I thought I'd throw the floor open to you guys... So, post away in the comments.

Cheers.

Mike Reina Interviewed about Skysaw

2011-05-14T16:13:00.000+01:00

Right here

Apparently Mike writes the lyrics and they might play some festivals this summer

2011-05-14T00:33:00.000+01:00

This just doesn't get enough plays...

When JC has talked about Machina being " the most honest record [Smashing Pumpkins] ever made, because it's the least least forced. It's what came out of us naturally, as opposed to songs like 'Geek'..."* I just think that this is a perfect example of SP playing naturally back in the day. At the very least, it's one of the great examples of JC playing what seems to come completely naturally to him: The ease, power, swing/feel and harmony with the guitars he injects is well... just, absolutely, splendid. G&TGC and Stellar went on to echo this type of playing from JC perfectly, as far as I'm concerned.

Let us know if you feel differently;

Cheers.

*Rhythm magazine Christmas 2000

P.S I may have had a dram or two 2 many, please excuse me.

BLAMO... R.I.P.

2011-05-13T20:15:00.000+01:00

Blamo.org, one of the two [most famous and long standing Smashing Pumpkins fan sites] alongside Netphoria.org, which had tons of cool SP resources for fans, has decided to close its doors... well most of them...

After 15 years of running blamo.org, I've decided to shut off most of the content to the site. The site now will be redirected to the Smashing Pumpkins forum on blamonet.com. Additionally I've shut off jamesiha.org and zwanmusic.org and forwarded them both to blamonet.com.

http://www.facebook.com/blamo.org/posts/10150191019267617

Cheers Aaron, thanks for everything of the years.

Inside Chamberlin's Studio - The Signature Set-Up is Back!

2011-05-11T18:35:00.000+01:00

Victor (from The Drum Pad) stopped by Jimmy Chamberlin's [presumably home] studio to deliver and set up some new DW drums for a photo shoot and interview with Drumhead Magazine...

YUM:


Double ~~Rainbow~~ Pedal

No 'Bad Blood' Betwixt Corgan and Chamberlin...

2011-05-05T22:39:00.000+01:00

Rolling Stone asks Corgan in a new interview regarding the upcoming releases;

Could the original Pumpkins line-up ever reunite?
Corgan: ... Jimmy [Chamberlin] and I aren't enemies – he's just off doing what he wants to do, as he should. There's not super bad blood between me and Jimmy that we'd never get on stage again. But I cannot in any way, shape, or form ever envision standing on a stage, playing music again with James [Iha] and D'arcy [Wretzky].

Jimmy Chamberlin in Top 100 Most Influential Drummers - EVER

2011-05-04T20:44:00.005+01:00

Those over at Rhythm Magazine don't actually quantify how they have measured the influence, save "The list was put together by Rhythm magazine, its expert contributors, and over 50 world-class drummers - many of whom appear in this rundown". None-the-less, SKYSAW sticksman Jimmy Chamberlin "[whose] style was integral to The Smashing Pumpkins" comes in at 89, in their rankings of the "100 most influential drummers of all time".

Interestingly Joey Jordison, who was voted the "greatest drummer of the last 25 years" ranks 4 places behind Chamberlin on the scale of influence...

Edit:

Digging around online for Rhythm's last run down of the top 100 (in 2009 I believe), I didst stumble across this little curiosity; the write-up about Chamberlin is EXACTLY the same as a write up 'of the top 100 most influential drummers' compiled some little time ago, by an apparently defunct* website TotalDrumsets.com...

"Trained as a jazz drummer, Chamberlin's style is integral to The Smashing Pumpkins. Propelling songs with intensity, quick snare rolls and flourishes. He is a master of unleashing dynamics with the lightest of touch. He has also been very active doing drum clinics, and playing with his own band - The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex.
Top 5 tracks:
1. Cherub Rock (The Smashing Pumpkins)
2. Geek USA (The Smashing Pumpkins)
3. Tales Of A Scorched Earth (The Smashing Pumpkins)
4. Tonight, Tonight (The Smashing Pumpkins)
5. Cranes Of Prey (The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex )

*i can't find an update on the site later than 2009 and the last tweet was sent May 2010 anyway.

Jimmy Chamberlin Plays DW - New Video

2011-05-03T19:45:00.001+01:00

The kit in this video is:
Vertical Zebra Exotic Candy Black Fade with Black Nickel Hardware.
18x23 (VLX), 9x10 (VLT), 10x12 (VLT), 14x14 (X), 16x16 (VLX), with 6.5x14 Straight VLT Snare.

The kit Jimmy decided to order has a custom "prototype" Copper Lacquer Specialty with Chrome Hardware. Jimmy actually sent in a penny that we used as a color match. The Shells are a ply combination of VLT Maple and Mahogany with no reinforcement hoops. The kick drum hoops are Solid Black Lacquer.
Sizes: 5x8, 7x10, 8x13, 10x14 rack toms
14x14, 16x16 floor toms, and 16x22 kick, with a matching 5.5x14 snare and a stainless steel 6.5x14 snare.

Corgan Plugs SKYSAW 'Great Civilizations' - Also Pre-Order !

2011-04-27T21:14:00.000+01:00

Corgan Tweets:
JC's new band Skysaw http://soundcloud.com/skysawmusic/sets/great-civilizations/s-ScmpM

Pre-order the début record from Jimmy Chamberlin, Mike Reina and Anthony Pirog (produced by Roy Thomas Baker) on MP3, CD and Vinyl - right here: http://store.dangerbirdrecords.com/products/great-civilizations
Prices start at $8.99 for MP3...

In other news...

2011-04-26T17:49:00.000+01:00

Smashing Pumpkins to reissue and release new old stuff: Head to HU for the lowdown

SKYSAW - GREAT CIVILIZATIONS STREAMING

2011-04-26T17:15:00.003+01:00

http://recordstoreday.com/CustomPage/1070

I love this:

http://soundcloud.com/skysawmusic/am-i-second/s-ScmpM

Announcing: Major Smashing Pumpkins Announcement - Coming Soon

2011-04-23T11:18:00.000+01:00

Back in December 2010, Billy Corgan announced he was going to announce something; following further announcements, Corgan has announced another announcement about what is presumably the last announcement about the announcement;

"Major @smashingpumpkin announcement this coming Tuesday. Regards new and old SP music. Big changes…exciting news.”

Grunge Report wishes "it was that Jimmy Chamberlin was re-joining the band". Don't think it's going to happen I'm afraid guys.

Here's my predictions: ~~Smashing Pumpkins~~ Billy Corgan has signed a new record deal as 'Smashing Pumpkins 3.0' - 'SP3' have abandoned the ridiculous 'teargarden release method and Billy will be releassing some unreleased SP1 music (at some point in the future).

Idiocy aside, any [new] Smashing Pumpkins music with Chamberlin playing is good news as far as I'm concerned.

Jimmy Chamberlin & SKYSAW Tour Dates

2011-04-22T02:23:00.003+01:00

Right here:
http://www.songkick.com/artists/4121086-skysaw/calendar
http://dangerbirdrecords.com/news/entry/skysaw-touring-with-minus-the-bear-in-may-june
Friday 20 May 2011
Minus the Bear with Skysaw
Varsity Theatre Baton Rouge, LA, US

Sunday 22 May 2011
Minus the Bear with Skysaw
Freebird Live Jacksonville Beach, FL, US

Tuesday 24 May 2011
Minus the Bear with Skysaw
Revolution Fort Lauderdale, FL, US

Wednesday 25 May 2011
Minus the Bear with Skysaw
The Ritz Ybor Tampa, FL, US

Friday 27 May 2011
Minus the Bear with Skysaw
The Handlebar Greenville, SC, US

Saturday 28 May 2011
Minus the Bear with Skysaw
Soapbox Laundrolounge Wilmington, NC, US

Sunday 29 May 2011
Minus the Bear with Skysaw and The Constellations
Music Farm Charleston, SC, US

Monday 30 May 2011
Minus the Bear with Skysaw
Sky City Augusta, GA, US

Tuesday 31 May 2011
Minus the Bear with Skysaw
Minglewood Hall Memphis, TN, US

Wednesday 01 June 2011
Minus the Bear with Skysaw and The Constellations
The Cannery Nashville, TN, US

Friday 03 June 2011
Minus the Bear with Skysaw
Diamond Ballroom Oklahoma City, OK, US

Saturday 04 June 2011
Minus the Bear with Skysaw and Girl In a Coma
Josabi's Helotes, TX, US

SHARK FISHING with JIMMY CHAMBERLIN

2011-04-21T20:45:00.002+01:00

Chamberlins [rather large & loud] - Zwan Kit...

2011-04-18T22:14:00.000+01:00

A you know, Jimmy recently talked about getting his Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute drums, back from the shop and setting them up in his basement studio. Well here's a couple of pics which just now popped up @ the Drum Pads' (where Chamberlin held his clinic in 09) Facebook page:

There's one two shots of (a couple) of Jimmy's Silver Sparkle Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute Nouveau also:

Woah - SKYSAW Serrated

2011-04-18T21:32:00.000+01:00

INTERESTING

SKYSAW - Great Civilizations Track List...

2011-04-18T20:56:00.002+01:00

Well well, over at DangerBird we have a track-listing and lyrics for the whole record:

Skysaw - Great Civilizations

1 - No One Can Tell

2 - Capsized Jackknifed Crisis

3 - Tightrope Situation

4 - Serrated

5 - Am I Second

6 - Nothing's Ever Easy

7 - Tracey Jayney Girl

8 - Great Civilizations

9 - All I Hear Is Snow

10 - Sad Reasons

Tracks 4,5,6 & 7 are previously unreleased from the THIS EP.

So, based upon the lyrics, can we identify anything from the live show...?

(I would say the second video is Serrated and I Am Second is the 3rd video... )

THE MACHINE SOMEHOW

Updated Downloads

Drum Hero... DRUM GOD - Jimmy Chamberlin

Jimmy Chamberlin DRUM HERO

Skysaw to make Cathedral Centrepiece of new Record

Happy New Year

Happy Christmas

Go Buy the Smashing Pumpkins Re-Issues...

Top Marks for Smashing Pumpkins Re-Issues

Did Corgan just sort of Appologise to Chamberlin...?

Cool///Pics///Here

Chamberlin's Skysaw release second 'Official' Video

DRUM SOLO!

Go See Jimmy @ Vic's Drum Shop

Jimmy Chamberlin and Umphrey's McGee

Question

Gish and Siamese Dream SPECIAL EDITIONS

Buy Jimmy Chamberlin's Zwan Kit

Chamberlin Teams with Groupon - Breaks Records

Corgan on Jimmy Chamberlin's Return to Smashing Pumpkins

Marathon Man (& Woman)

Chamberlin Attends Charity Fund-Raiser

Billy Corgan Finally Talks some Sense

Modern Drummer Reprints an Old Interview with Jimmy Chamberlin

Jimmy Chamberlin In-Store Apperance

Jimmy Chamberlin Hits DrumHead Magazine

[New] Chamberlin in Modern Drummer Interview

Music Review: Gannin Arnold Project- 5 World Class Drummers - Music - Blogcritics

Smashing Pumpkins Record Club

Jimmy Chamberlin's Skysaw on JBTV

Sponsor The Chamberlin Family (Cure JM Foundation)

Chicago Half Marathon & 5K

Chamberlin to Grace the Cover of DRUMHEAD Magazine

oh wait... Drum Channel Roundtable with Jimmy Chamberlin and Jim Keltner!!!

Coming in August - @drumchannel > L.A.M.A. Rountable with Jim Keltner, Jimmy Chamberlin, Thomas Pridgen & Ralph Humphrey

Jim Keltner and Jimmy Chamberlin.

JIM KELTNER and JIMMY CHAMBERLIN

Edit > 02 August booooo... looks like it won't be JC anymore, it appears Matt Cameron is stepping in. This is going to be 22nd August...:cry:

Not Much Doin'...

Skysaw - No One Can Tell - Video

Skysaw 2011-07-02 Black Cat - Download

Gannin Arnold DVD Promo

Jimmy Chamberlin Drum Set Up Page

Skysaw - Photostream

Gannin Arnold DVD

Buy Chamberlin's Mansion

Alex Markow Photography: ...Skysaw

Skysaw @Blackcat Review

And now, James Iha...

The Swerve - Skysaw Live Review

Videos from Jimmy Chamberlin's Skysaw Live

'Another' [...Be Specific] Interview with Jimmy Chamberlin

Jimmy Chamberlin - Songwriter

Gannin Arnold DVD - Available Here

Skysaw; Rehearsal, Backstage and Live Photos - Gallore!!!

Skysaw at JBTV. (Soundcheck)

Skysaw at JBTV.

Skysaw at Metro. (Soundcheck)

Skysaw at Metro.

More Skysaw Rehersal Photos

Skysaw at the Metro - June 25 2011

Interview with Jimmy Chamberlin - Dynasty Podcast

Skysaw - Behind the Scenes...

SKYSAW - Cathedral - Soundchecked for JBTV

Skysaw - Update Website

Gannin Arnold DVD - 2 Weeks...

Great Civilizations Reviews - Collected Here

Skysaw Stream Album on Eve of Record Release

Interview with Jimmy Chamberlin

JBTV Taping SKYSAW Live - WIN TICKETS

Happy Birthday Jimmy Chamberlin

SKYSAW - GREAT CIVILIZATIONS - PRESS RELEASE

June Album of the Month: SkySaw "Great Civilizations"

THE MACHINE SOMEHOW: DOWNLOADS

SKYSAW - Cathedral Live Video

Preorder Skysaw Great Civilizations & Get Immediate Download

SKYSAW LIVE - FULL SHOW

Nice Set of Skysaw Live Shots

Jimmy Chamberlin DW Snare Video

Jimmy Chamberlin Skysaw Tour Update - 3

Coming in August - @drumchannel > L.A.M.A. Rountable with Jim Keltner, Jimmy Chamberlin,
Thomas Pridgen & Ralph Humphrey

5/22/11

Another great show last night in Jacksonville, Fl. with "minus the bear" and our new opener, " the constellations", who were great BTW. Our show opened with No One Can Tell and the crowd was immediately into it and with us for the duration. Here is the setlist per your requests.

NOCT
Capsized
Am I Second
Great Civilizations
Tightrope
All I Hear is Snow
Serrated
Cathedral

We are off to florida to rock out again tomorrow. I look forward to seeing some old friends and making some new ones.

Regards, JC