Melody Maker, April 29 1991

"Extraordinary Smashing Pumpkins aim to be quiet and loud in the same
song, sometimes at the same time, and always strapped to a writhing metal
groove.  This is far flung from the Touch & Go-based Chicago scene (where
the are based), and closer to the new Camden bands, particularly God
Machine - if not a trifle more polished.

'Darcey [spelled this way in article], our female bassist, brings out her
male character when she plays.  There's no middle ground.  And James, on
guitar, lets out all the female in him,' says mainman Billy.

For all he knows, the C86-era represents a London tourist bus route, yet
he quotes My Bloody Valentine as on of his major influences.  thanks to
his guitarist father, a rather obscure character by all accounts, he also
grew up listening to the likes of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Judas
Priest, as well as T. Rex and the Stooges.  It certainly shows.  

'Five years ago, people were influenced by rock'n'roll peer presssure but
essentially, because of rap and hip hop, everbody is now willing to
challenge ideas again, and cross musiccal reference pints,' says Billy.
'The punk ethic of turning up and screaming nasty things is dwindling, but
our music is still to loud, too progressive for the plaid shirt Husker Du
crowd.'

Not surprisingly they initially felt better working up their confidence
away from home.  After one particular stormer of a gig on the East Coast,
Sub Pop approached them and thus released their near immaculate
"Tristessa" single.  An album, due in the summer, will make a shift to the
Caroline label ("Sub Pop aren't hyper enough").  Emotional metal is in."