Just as Smashing Pumpkins sounds bigger than many other bands in the early nineties, the re-release of her debut Gish is also a generous product. Two CDs, a live DVD and frank liner notes tell the story of a struggling Chicago band. Around 1990 Smashing Pumpkins easily attracts a few hundred people per performance, but no record company is interested and the (local) press also ignores the group.
However, by working hard, the foursome manages to enforce happiness. The members decide not to split the gages for the performances, but to put them in recordings with a befriended technician. If not much later the group does get the chance to make a record, their sound is already completely crystallized. Not surprising that (1991) sounds like a mature statement. Corgan himself says in retrospect that the album is not even full of good songs, but of daring ideas. He is selling himself short, because even if the band was going to do even bigger things, Gish is an elaborate collection of alternative rock. (JE)more
