Pumpkins Enlist Wood
Chicago Tribune- 6/27/97
Contribute by Irene Tien
Smashing Pumpkins, who warmed up for their tour of European festivals with a surprise show Monday at the Double Door, will begin working in August with Producer Brad Wood ( Liz Phair, Red Red Meat, That Dog ) on an album that will likely take them in a more subdued, acoustic direction.
Recent songs recorded by the band for the "Lost Highway" and "Batman & Robin" soundtracks hinted that the Pumpkins would pursue a more electronic-drive sound, but the band found a low-key groove in recent sessions that it wanted to pursue further. The band hopes to have the record ready for release in spring 1998.
In other Pumpkin news: Guitarist James Iha is also working on a solo album...Singer Billy Corgan has recorded an original Christmas song with famed R&B producer Arif Mardin for inclusion on an upcoming benefit album...Corgan has also produced and plays on a new album, "Troublizing," by former Cars singer Ric Ocasek due out in August, and has co-written songs with Courtney Love for a new Hole album...Matt Walker, who filled in on drums last summer when Jimmy Chamberlin was ousted mid-tour, will soon be officially added to the band.