Odd...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/may/03/led-zeppelin-tour

Not JC related, but i don't have any other news :(

Smashing Pumpkins - Tonite Show

THIS

http://www.thisband.com/

I'm reliably informed that this is the new home of THIS. More info when I get it.

Update - No release date for the album has been set, yet and any other news will probably be available on This site first, rather than here. So keep your eyes peeled.

DP

Learn how to play like Jimmy Chamberlin

In this months' issue of Rhythm Magazine in their Drum Lessons "Rock" section, you can "play like" Jimmy Chamberlin. 

Perhaps Taylor Hawkins should take a look. 

Anyway, there's a neat little write-up, some drum tab (Including; "a classic Chamberlin power grove - like the verse in Cherub Rock", "the closing four bars of Geek U.S.A" and "a segment from Life Begins Again" [DP - It's Loki Cat]) and a free video tutorial with Adam Bushell.

Go buy it.

Fifty Two Crows in a Field of Love

44 Smashing Pumpkins-related things we'd rather do than audition to be a Smashing Pumpkin

"6. Revisiting that one Jimmy Chamberlin Complex album. (No, really; it's good.)"

It's true.

So You’ve Decided to Join the Smashing Pumpkins...

They should add don't be fundamentally unhealthy to the list...

News is slow, ok.

"Here goes nothing" - Hawkins plays Chamberlin

Wanna catch Taylor Hawkins play [live] with Gannin Arnold and take on Chamberlin's part to the title track to Gannin's new album, "Not From Here"? If so, head on over to the Drum Channel right now.

Tune in from 60 minutes in to catch Taylor almost completely fluff the song by dropping his sticks... He must have known before-hand it might be a little challenging, 

"Here goes nothing...I'm going to have a lot of flounders on this one..." 

And he did.  But, aside from that track and Chamberlin's other part to the track "Get On With It", following "Not From Here", which he does mess up (!),

"...It's called jazz, or creativity... kids I'm trying to play fusion!"

he handles the rest of the tracks with aplomb.

But the whole show really is well worth a watch, really enjoyable, these guys are clearly having an awful lot of fun.  And the music ain't half bad to boot.  It's also got a very insightful pre-show interview led by Terry Bozzio. 

Musicians still need labels...

Just thought this was quite interesting; http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/investing_in_music.html

100

Well, Google's marvellous 'Analytics' tells me that we've hit 100 regularly returning visitors to the blog, so, hi there everybody. I guess it should get really interesting in the coming months with Chamberlin currently recording tracks for his band This.

I'll keep you posted with any news that I find scouring the blog -o- sphere and HU ;)

If there's anything anyone wants to see on the blog, drop us a line in the comments section or what not and I'll do my best.

Cheers.

Drevpile

Linda Strawberry comments on Chamberlin's "departure" from Smashing Pumpkins

Earlier today, Linda Strawberry (famed Corgan hanger-on and 'artist') thought it wise to join in the contentious discussion, on The Smashing Pumpkins' Official Message Board, following the publication of the exposé, Billy requested, in this months' Rolling Stone.  She then saw fit to remove her comments...  

However, living in this day in age, nothing is deleted from the internet;

She first posted

... [Jimmy] battles alot of demons. It was hard to be away from his gorgeous wife and kids. The 'dream' of what its like to tour and do all of that is nothing like the reality... I also think the 'road' makes it near impossible for you if you are battling old demons - so its probably not the best place to spend your time if you wanna stay sober...

Followed shortly by,

...if you just profile [Jimmy] = here's a guy who lived on the very outer edge for years - raced fast cars - has died and come back to life - overdosed - done everything imaginable - um.. of course he has a destructive streak! everyone knows that. the stories about jimmy are legendary on par with any other rock legend. its amazing he is still alive!... It's the hardest thing to go from that to sober, stable, married father. Of course he's going to face some major ups and downs.

What exactly the purpose of these comments were, seems somewhat unclear... There seems to be a leaning towards suggesting that Jimmy had or was relapsing?

Fired or not from the Smashing Pumpkins, one can only surmise that Jimmy is glad to be away from the kind of people who speculate & insinuate things about his personal life, so freely and thoughtlessly, in the public arena.

(Update 19:17 - 07/03/10)
Stawberry is back on the Smashing Pumpkins message board, and states ;

I was in no way implying Jimmy had relapsed leading up to him departing SP. 

So there.

Geek Blog, Blogs Geek

http://neugeek.com/geeker/the-smashing-pumpkins-geek-u-s-a-live/

Smashing Pumpkins Fuck You

"Fuck You [Jimmy Chamberlin]" - Billy Corgan

So we finally get the other side of the story on why Jimmy [left] the Pumpkins, again in 2009...

In the newest issue of Rolling Stone (preview here), Billy, takes a little pop at former drummer  (as well as the rest of the original SP line-up) and musical soulmate Jimmy Chamberlin,

“Jimmy is a destructive human being, and people who are destructive break things,” Corgan says. “I don’t see me reaching the highest levels of my creativity if I’m unhealthy and if I have unhealthy people around me.[...]” After Corgan told Chamberlin he was out...I was like, ‘Fuck you,’”, Corgan recalls. “‘Go ride around in a white van for the rest of your life.”

Jimmy clearly has a slighly different perspective;

Chamberlin becomes apoplectic when he hears Corgan’s account. “In the middle of the last tour, Billy said it was the agent’s fault, then it was the band’s fault, then it was the fans’ fault,” the drummer says. “Yes, in the past, I was a destructive human being. I was a complete drug addict and a complete loose cannon, but I’ve taken responsibility for my life.” "In the grand scheme of things" he adds... it's a few Gold records and a bunch of money... I have a wife and kids and I am completely happy"

Jimmy's sentiments have been borne out in his recent clinic appearances (here and here) and in his statement when he left; where he wishes Billy all the best, and contrary to Corgan of his Jimmy's ideas, quite happily accepts Corgan's definition and pursuit of 'happiness/success'.

Updated 28 November 2011: Corgan makes an indirect apology for these comments; they were 'just the ugliness that goes with breaking up'

Gannin Arnold Live

Watch Gannin Arnold perform LIVE here on Drum Channel at 6:00 p.m. PST on Tuesday, March 2nd. 

Featuring Taylor Hawkins and Chris Chaney. With guests Drew Hester and host Terry Bozzio.

Promoting his new record, yeah.

Sounds good to me.

(update 02/03/10 - this in on in 4 hours folks... 2 AM in the morning here :( )

Chamberlin Snare Samples

FXpansion releases the BFD Heavy Expansion Pack for BFD2! 

If that's gobbledygook to you, it's a drum sample pack which includes:

A bonus 'lite' Yamaha Jimmy Chamberlin signature snare is provided to complement the kits. This steel-shell snare is provided in 4 versions played with sticks and mallets, with the snare strainer on and off. Full-detail versions of this snare are available in the Yamaha Signature Snares vol.2 expansion pack.

Jimmy Chamberlin: Best Drummers

Good work people. 

Jimmy comes in at number 8, on Rolling Stone's 'Readers Rock List', 

amongst these other 'greats';

1. John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)

2. Neil Peart (Rush)

3. Keith Moon (The Who)

4. Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Them Crooked Vultures)

5. Stewart Copeland (The Police, Oysterhead)

6. Ringo Starr (The Beatles)

7. Ginger Baker (Cream, Blind Faith)

8. Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins)

9. Charlie Watts (The Rolling Stones)

10. Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band)

11. Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience)

12. Danny Carey (Tool)

13. Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

14. Buddy Rich

15. Alex Van Halen (Van Halen)

Vote for Jimmy

Do it;

Rolling Stone

Cinder - Smashing Pumpkins

This song is so good >

'Not From Here' - featuring, you guessed it, Jimmy Chamberlin

Anyone paying attention to JC's cohorts of the 'Jimmy Chamberlin Complex' will be please to learn that guitarist Gannin Arnold has, finally, released his debut album 'Not From Here'.

Jimmy features on the title track and one other - 'Get On With It' currently streaming over on Gannin's Myspace

Buy the album here if you want

For old times' sake, Jimmy Chamberlin Complex rocks Allan Holdsworth's Fred:

Moon Boot Posse to record second album with Jimmy Chamberlin

According to this tweet, Moon Boot Posse

"is hitting the streets of CHICAGO in March to record it's sophmore national album w/ Jimmy Chamberlin of SMASHING PUMPKINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

 



More news to follow, if & when I get any. I'm presently assuming that JC is going to produce... rather than play on the record.

Ryan Togerson, drummer for Moon Boot Posse teaches drums at SSE Music, where Jimmy recently held this clinic.

The Cosmic Relationship – Quote from Jimmy Chamberlin

The Cosmic Relationship – Quote from Jimmy Chamberlin

“Everything for me revolves around my instrument. It’s been with me longer than anything else in my life. My ability to be a good father, husband, friend, composer, teacher, kite flyer, gardener, pet owner is reflected in my relationship with the drums. When I’m in the groove with work, everything else falls into place for me. I know that sounds simple, but it’s true. There’s a cosmic relationship between what you put into your music and what life gives you back.”

- Jimmy Chamberlin, Modern Drummer Magazine, February 2010

UPDATE 17/01/2010: Our pals over at HU have reposted these little snippets from the interview:

How JC developed his “signature”:

I really try to concentrate on being myself when I play. I know that sounds simple, but I think it takes years of emulating your heroes and practicing to finally arrive at the required amount of facility to just “be yourself” on an instrument. I think that’s where the hooks come in. When you can be yourself, only you can play like you. Things start to sound like a musical version of your personality.

How important is it for a drummer to understand harmony and chord structure:

Knowledge of harmony and melody is key if you want your drum parts to “sing the song.” I have always thought that you should be able to know what song you’re hearing just by listening to the drum part, and that’s what I strive for. The same goes for any instrument.

What’s the greatest lesson JC’s learned:

Everything for me revolves around my instrument. It’s been with me longer than anything else in my life. My ability to be a good father, husband, friend, composer, teacher, kite flyer, gardener, pet owner is reflected in my relationship with the drums. When I’m in groove with work, everything else falls into place for me.

Jimmy Chamberlin in Modern Drummer Jan 2010

From WarTape's Twitter:

"Check out this month's issue of Modern Drummer Magazine! William is featured in an article with Jimmy Chamberlin!!! Page 34!!! Xo"

Confirmed by the publication itself:

"Drummer to Drummer: Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins/Jimmy Chamberlin Complex) and William Mohler (War Tapes) interview each other."

Thanks for the heads up Lifebeginsagain37