[HQ] The Smashing Pumpkins - Geek USA

Great version of Geek USA at Metro Chicago 1993
- Siamese Dream [Deluxe Edition] -

[@jambo6257]

"Every great record ever, started with drums." - jimmy chamberlain

[@iancropley725]

Billy is a legend and everyone knows it, but strangely people never seem to talk about his guitar skills. He destroys solos all over SP material, but no one ever mentions him when talking about great rock guitarists. He was so creative with his tone and style and he could really shred too.

[@Zappappappappa]

Extremely underrated, I like your picture SP and The Who are in my top five favorite bands. I saw them live on the Quadrophenia tour a while back it was amazing.

[@dickgruver1269]

I absolutely loved the 2 guitar solos in this song when I was 14 (when Siamese Dream was released). I just learned that it's actually Billy playing them after 20-something years of believing it was James. Wow.

[@graces7718]

I definitely agree- just this song alone...plus it's literally the only reason I listen to silverfuck like 5 times a day.

[@pranaprana9375]

lol darcy looks high or something

[@huxleypig69]

Completely agree and I think what stood him apart was his very modal sounding solos and riffs. Made for such a great sound.

[@lephilistin]

"A band is as good as their drummer"... Exhibit 1: The Smashing Pumpkins.

[@cuviemadeit]

Mathieu Plasse those drums need to go to the er

[@helterskelter1178]

Jimmy is one of the best in the biz, makes it look easy.

[@jeffproctor2356]

helterskelter1178 #fact

[@drone6337]

Mathieu Plasse 110% agree (I am a drummer too though so just a disclaimer)!

[@liverpoolfcslayer4290]

Than SLAYER is the EPITOME of that! Dave Lombardo Paul Bostaph Exibits 1/1A

[@ghostsharklegend]

The drumming on this track never ceases to astound me

[@SB-bq7qs]

WOW at 1:54 you think jimmy is just playing single stokes but he is actually playing paradiddles and they are so clean they sound like singles! that is the true sign of a master drumer!!!

[@rafqisadikin]

MASTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

[@TDR85]

Best drummer of all 90s bands.

[@bigbowlowrong4694]

@@TDR85Danny Carey was also in his element in the 1990s, in my opinion they’re probably equal in talent but operating in slightly different rock genres.

[@bwharris2002]

@@bigbowlowrong4694Tool is metal

[@bigbowlowrong4694]

@@bwharris2002 Yes, and? They’re still comfortably described as rock in a lot of their songs.

[@faggotsmoker9588]

One of the most badass alternative track in history....

[@wolfgang6442]

Most definitely agree prolly in the top 10s fs!

[@cadenceangel]

Agreed!!

[@josht4157]

Love how so many people recognized the brief drum intro and cheered. That subtle recognition is kind of rare....totally shows how many true fans were in the crowd.

[@mike4619]

And how great the drummer is.

[@mclovinpo]

Actually it’s not so rare at least at shows I go to the first notes people catch on fast

[@ralfralf7411]

@@mike4619 Jimmy,jep.but he's reaveled skills only in this song

[@olivermiller8943]

It’s when people had to buy records/cds, pretty much. They listened to the whole thing instead of streaming. Ig radio was there tho

[@alexmalch]

the most impressive thing is that this concert happened the day the album was released, and people already know the song lol

[@oliviagrace6983]

all these people are like "I saw them live in '94" and all that and I'm just over here crying because I wasn't born yet

[@1degovero]

+PierceTheGracie I saw them at the brawl room in 92 and I don't regret I am 45

[@cuviemadeit]

olivia grace same i wish i was born in 1983 just in time for sp and green day

[@moonontheman1657]

olivia grace I'm with ya......should of been born 20 years earlier

[@MusicTeacherGuyNorristown]

I bought Gish in the summer of 1991!

[@Clownballoon_Jones]

I saw them at the Metro in 93 and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[@madeindar]

Jimmy made it look effortless.

[@corndogman221]

Well he is a jazz drummer lol

[@corndogman221]

Well he is a jazz drummer lol

[@notoprah13]

My exact thoughts. The amount of power behind every hit, and yet he's doing it so nonchalantly.

[@scottgarry1067]

crazy with the wrist man. I was lucky enough to see them several times throughout the 90's and despite Billy's horrible voice live, they always kicked so much ass as the original unit. All love.

[@nicholsjoshua15]

The only excuse is, Jimmy uses the Force to play drums.

[@Hessianlore]

I quote Billy, "For a 6'3" guy with a whiny voice, I've done pretty well for myself."

[@kristopherryanwatson]

He's never said that though..

[@ezralogan]

Billy is 6 3'"!?!? wtf! a always assumed he was like... 5'10" MAX

[@hypocrite4318]

@@ezralogan yeah i thought that too then when my dad took me to a concert we ran up to the front row for the encore and I looked up at him and I was like oh my god !!

[@danielnewman1677]

@@ezralogan Oh sure. I remember seeing the Pumpkins accept some award: he and D'Arcy repeatedly gestured at the mic to each other, before he finally leaned down and asked something like, "I'd like to know why this mic is set so low, cuz I'm a tall guy."

[@LycanTroop3]

Dude wtf?? I literally had to Google that, I'm shocked he's actually 6'3 🤣

[@ZyKLonBē]

Siamese Dream is definitely in my top 5 favorite albums

[@go_you_huskies]

Same. That one and HUM - Downward is Heavenward are masterpieces.

[@MyBeautifulDarkTwistedFantasy6]

Top 10 for me

[@zackzallie8735]

Top 50 cuz I have lot of stuff in there lol

[@forest9696]

Top 1 for me

[@Mindrex327]

One of the FEW, FEW Albums that you Never get tired of, Even if you have heard it 1000 times ! Top 5 of all time !

[@marcelocm07]

In a dream we are connected - Siamese twins, at the wrist... that’s when I knew we’d been forsaken... expelled from paradise... 🎵🎵🎵

[@beresan1078]

Best part

[@angrykoolaidman]

I love Billy's solos. So raw. Pure chaotic angst. His bends combined with his screams and "yeah!"s are perfect.

[@NoAlchemist]

D'Arcy's playing here is badass. Damn. They were an incredible lineup.

[@cesarrodriguez8893]

Billy doesn't think so.

[@andrewoid4711]

@@cesarrodriguez8893 why not

[@cesarrodriguez8893]

@@andrewoid4711 He doesn't want her back. He also doesn't pass on any opportunity to talk shit about her.

[@andrewoid4711]

@@cesarrodriguez8893 what did d'arcy do?

[@humbae]

@@cesarrodriguez8893 lol do you research before saying dumb stuff like this.

[@gmt87801]

Jimmy Chamberlin makes this song.

[@shkwave99]

Some of the best lead-drumming in the '90s. Most definitely.

[@whitcriley]

DEEP WINTER They start of at a breakneck speed, too!

[@gmt87801]

Whitney Riley Yeah man they always play so much faster live. I dig it.

[@dzubmariner]

kurt & dave grohl are good but billy & jimmy arent as famous as them..thats unfair

[@shkwave99]

Here in Chicago they're actually more famous.

[@christopherbriscoe4937]

I keep asking myself what makes a guitarist great, and I think Billy Corgan meets it. Style, strong understanding of music and structure, and ability with the instrument. He doesn't play his best here, but the commiment to composing the song is there. It's why I can't really respect people who just jerk off with a guitar. Anyone can produce loud sounds, or play fast, but there is no composition.

[@stough77]

I don't know if there is another song that can transition from fast to slow to fast so seamlessly.. One of my all time favorites.

[@silverfck]

YUP I LOVE THAT TRANSITION SCENE

[@ChristopherO9100]

In my dream we are connected, siamese twins, at the wrist.....

[@rickschmitz6438]

With a drummer like that playing behind you,anything you would play as a band would automatically sound fn amazing...man,what a great underrated drummer

[@JeffreyIngle]

Of course he was. Anybody who reckons Dave Grohl is better genuinely doesn't have a clue what they're talking about. Grohl's decent, don't get me wrong, but Jimmy Chamberlin is in a completely different bracket of quality.

[@shannonlucas2980]

Apples and oranges.

[@suhijo]

Is not to put Dave G down, he is amazing but from all the main "grunge" bands from 90s he is not even in top 5 of the better drummers. Just to mention a few, Jimmy, Matt Cameron, Dale Crover, Sean kinney, Dan peters, etc.

[@bolch88bb8]

I love Ghrol...no question but JImmy is just way more technically gifted

[@AmericanLibra]

Two different styles of playing. Jimmy hits more and hits hard. Dave hits less and hits incredibly hard. It's like comparing Mitch Mitchell and John Bonham.

[@davesims7917]

Dave Abbruzzese should be on the list...one of the most under rated drummers EVER!!!

[@litedawg]

It must be an amazing feeling to have an audience in the palm of your hand like that.

[@briargoatkilla]

I saw them at lollapalooza '94 in Charlotte, NC, but the Beastie Boys had just played and the crowd literally had nothing left. So we all just sat on the lawn while the Pumpkins freakin' shredded hard. It was kinda cool.

[@leob4403]

briargoatkilla Beastie Boys are mediocre though

[@n.p.c7billion464]

@@cocobasile666 no, i am

[@terrybalfour3284]

Same happened in phoenix that year...the whole lineup + 115 and above temps decimated most...Billy said something about it feelin 200 fuckin degrees after they opened with geek usa if i remember right?! Lol

[@volta5550]

Leo B are you being serious??

[@zackzallie8735]

@@leob4403 nah your opinion is invalid

[@IAMNationX]

This band nailed the climatic and episodic sound which had you hooked. Genius, fucking genius.

[@IAMNationX]

As a Nirvana fan, TSP were prob a better band. IDGAF

[@Jameswilllee]

Jimmy’s in beast mode

[@samdee-me]

I love Jimmy Chamberlin on the drum, He is awesome..

[@jgbailar]

This song is like 4 hits bundled together. As a twelve year old zero t-shirt wearing lamo rollerblades rocking kid, I’d replay my favorite parts like it’s an album.

[@landrec2]

I was never interested in music as a kid... until smashing pumpkins started playing on boomboxes by the older kids and I felt something that I'd never felt before and the rest is history. The first band I ever liked and still a favorite today 25 years later, this video gives me chills every time... Thank you.

[@Dropkickpunk76]

Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream was the first CD I ever bought back in the day. A classic rock album of the 90's.

[@JDawg8733]

I'm 37. I saw them when I was in like 5th grade here in Chicago. But the first CD I ever bought with my own money at best buy was Th Offsrping Americana lol

[@TheVeregat]

This song on drums is very difficult at the recorded BPM. Jimmy murders this live holy shit.

[@O.D.E.GuitarSoundtracks]

he is a drum beast!!!!

[@the_katman2181]

Sweet baby jesus, Jimmy Chamberlin is a monster drummer. Also, his kit in this era had the best sound. That ringy snare is so good and so recognisable.

[@stan1418]

It is exactly what drew me in - as soon as I heard Gish.....it had THE sound

[@Victor_Nica]

Billy with hair > Bald Billy

[@chrisvicious7907]

honestly tho

[@qbsrd]

+Victor Nica Billy with long hair > Billy with these hair

[@US395Official]

I agree. However, I believe Billy with short hair > Billy hairless > Billy with hippy hair

[@xanakinskywoker1817]

Machina/The Machines of God - Topic his best hair was his hippy hair

[@nodude4863]

Victor Nica true af also orchid baby!

[@dugfriendly]

27 years ago. How is that possible? Where has the time gone?

[@richdeleon7661]

Jimmy Chamberlain is a drum god!!!!

[@MTRyan321]

I was at this show. Never forget. I lived right down the street from the Metro, right next to Wrigley Field. Great memories

[@KhalDrogo76]

I played drums in a band for years, the adrenaline you get in a moment like this is better than any feeling in the world it’s better than any drug and why you see old timers still playing ...aside from the cash...chasing it

[@kevinb7126]

I caught them on their first run of shows for Siamese Dream and live they melted your face they were that good .

[@qnnikqs]

I remember blasting this song on my earbuds during lunch sitting by myself far away from everyone when I was a sophomore and eating a ham and cheese sandwich so now this song reminds me of a ham and cheese sandwich

[@Mrbinhax]

Love how the Bridge is longer in this performance than it is in the original version

[@Sn00chieb00chies]

The BEST SP song

[@silverfck]

aah i’m crying :’) the things i would do to go back and experience a concert in the 90s from them..

[@TippiGordon]

There aren't many bands who can say, at one point in history, they were the best band on the planet. Smashing Pumpkins could say that in 1993.

[@YAYJOBS]

And 2023! Oh damn it's been 30 years

[@wildmercuryfilms]

From 1991 to 1997, they were as good as anybody. You could make the argument they were the best of that era, along with Nirvana, Pavement and Radiohead. Watch “Breed” live at The Paramount in 1991. Listen to “Gold Soundz.” Listen to “Fake Plastic Trees.” Listen to “Silverfuck.” These were among the Best Songs of a Great Era of Music.

[@Murdoch-ck8mv]

The Smashing Pumpkins to me were the Best Band from the early 90's. From 'Drown' on the Singles soundtrack they opened up their Hearts and Blazed an Awesome trail...😊

[@manicmandownup]

Nothing better than the Pumpkins in their prime...Billy shreds!!!

[@zackzallie8735]

Yep. Siamese Dream earned these a guys a crown in 1993. Not the next Nirvana cuz they have a distinctive sound.

[@nicolot4652]

Smashing Pumpkins is one of the best bands to see live. No question about it

[@adiosoctober]

One of their most underrated songs

[@pachucodreams]

Might be their best song; the perfect culmination of their style and technical prowess.

[@hankb7725]

the term underrated is retarded in this context. It was HIGHLY RATED in it's time in different ways than today: album purchases, album play, radio play/listening, concert attendance... people who rated it in that way WOULD NOT be here on fucking youtube clicking the thumbs up button or subscribing and all that shit. It got HUGE recognition, but because you don't see millions or billions of views here you assume its underrated. THINK. and the people who loved them back them love them today and are probably STILL playing their music at home or on their commute to/from work etc.... I know I do. I'm 45. SO.. think before you say dumb ass shit. this music was HIGHLY FUCKING RATED AND STILL IS by the people that KNOW IT. It's just not in a way you acknowledge as a kid

[@lennykrainie1903]

2:45 . It’s a shame D’arcy wasn’t louder during live shows . In the studio recording of Geek USA the bass plays such a huge part in really moving the song same can be said about every other song on SD

[@davidgriffin6440]

Didn't Billy play the bass on the album though?

[@baldanders]

d’arcy didn’t do anything, especially when they were recording. Billy played bass, lead guitar, and rhythm guitar on siamese dream

[@jasonchungMD]

D'arcy was trash

[@rainjpeg]

@@jasonchungMD blame everything on d’arcy but she provided everything she could on stage. they were awesome when they had the original lineup.

[@devon_darko]

I feel like in every clip from this show she's turned up pretty loud actually, and it sounds really good

[@beaudure01]

“Hey Jimmy, we know you’re playing an iconic drum part back there. Mind if we ramp up to ludicrous speed?” “No problem.”

[@wabio]

I saw them live at the Del Mar Fairgrounds right around this time. That concert was insane! So many people were pushing forward that many ended up crowd surfing even if they didn't want to.

[@jaimeflor4181]

That must have been an awesome show! I saw them at SDSU in 1994, the Sports Arena in 1997 and Spreckles Theater before they released Machina. I regretfully missed their 2 night concert at Soma, but got Iha’s autograph thanks to his younger cousin that lived in my neighborhood.

[@BarryFromAdmin]

I was front row when they released this on there Siamese Dream tour. Still, to this day, the most mind blowing live performance I have ever witnessed. Not sure my ear drums ever fully recovered. 😂

[@--thatbih]

How many fellow guitarists wished they wrote this song

[@Paperbagman555]

What a performance, would’ve been amazing to be there

[@40tired]

Wow....that fucking rocked.

[@paulbredin1160]

So tight .....and that outro is so kickass

[@thomstewart7392]

I love how much you’ve cleaned up this video, it looks great!!

[@dynjarren8355]

The early Nineties were an amazing time for music! Nirvana was everywhere and Corgans band didn’t want to be overlooked so he had the same producer for their first two albums. The result was amazing Rock that took them to Stadiums and sold out shows!

[@Rick-tf4dl]

Siamese Dreams top 5 guitar albums of all time. can you say INNOVATION

[@robertwest3826]

Of all their songs, this is the one that most shows what a fantastic drummer Jimmy Chamberlin is

[@htomao]

Jellybelly too

[@hansalo5154]

That comedown in the middle of this song is pure bliss. I almost wish it was it's own song all together.

[@steverok67]

My God I loved these maniacs.

[@notoriousd.i.g2589]

This song still kicks ass.

[@panagiotischaralampopoulos7152]

a true live rock show without shitty annoying cellphones, good crowd, enrgy band, monstrous songs, good sound and ENNNEERRGYYY. who rerally cares if he screams or not. thats rock

[@wolfgang6442]

Yeah now this is what I call rocking out!🔥🔥😤🎸🎸 Yoo billy corgan was a master performer in his prime/glory days of the band and is prolly why their music still sounds fresh decades later

[@draculawolfman1502]

That's one of my fave '90s moments ever.

[@projecticeman365]

Just maybe one of the best jump songs for a club

[@tianlee3487]

The stuff being done on the guitars is like child's play compared to what's happening on the drums... Jimmy is a master of legendary proportions.

[@MagnumMuscle1000]

Damn, Billy SHREDS at 3:10 and again at 3:57! Wow. What an underrated guitar player!

[@horselookinghumanheadass]

I cannot bear the singing live (he's basically tearing his vocal chords lol).. BUT all is forgiven when you've such ungodly drumming, towering riffs and legendary bridges... fuck it... they were one of the best live bands regardless of how Corgan sang

[@patm232010]

Rojak Achar he can sound really good when he tries too. In a lot of live takes he's trying to sing over loud riffs and solos and he really strains his voice. Imagine trying to sing harmoniously while at the same time playing the guitar like that. No one could do both at the same time quite like Billy

[@siddhant717]

Holy shit, an Indian who also loves The Smashing Pumpkins. Also, BC's voice is great, the only thing is, it's unconventional. Also, cool Mr. Meeseeks profile picture hahaha

[@connorschrauben5593]

billy's unconventional and voice is super energetic in this. you have to appreciate it

[@papadelta9485]

he's especially reaching here because they are playing this song tuned higher than usual on this performance

[@monstergod888]

The Smashing Pumpkings is a progressive rock band disguised as an alternative grunge band,they would be ten times bigger if they were a 70's band,but they're great anyway!

[@Deanobucko917]

the pumpkins were never grunge. They always sounded better than grunge

[@richardwellend3806]

However you pigeonhole them they are a band with an awful singer

[@its_Sam19]

​@@richardwellend3806 Horrible Billy in the corner?? I think you don't understand the band.

[@richardwellend3806]

@@its_Sam19 I understand them and still think he's an awful singer

[@IHAVECHOSSENTHISNAME]

I would trade my left eye to experience this song live, with that lineup...

[@whitcriley]

They opened with this when I saw them in spring of '94. Wow - over 20 years ago now. Uncool… Billy owned it that night. The guy could play.

[@yung_gentleman]

Just announced today :')

[@sk8erdaniel573]

without darcy though, sadly

[@ralfralf7411]

No,You would not

[@robashton8606]

Some of us don't have to. 😁

[@garcianelson123]

That break at @2:00 is so sick

[@adamlorden5666]

fucking crazy

[@beigekiwi6080]

Im 18 and I wish so fucking bad I was there, I would have lost my goddamn mind there

[@Phoney.Baloney]

Now that’s a drummer

[@kerriwachs7204]

My teenage son just crushed this song live. Viva la Smashing Pumpkins!!

[@RandyRhoadsRules3]

I absolutely hate what Billy has become but I can’t deny he was probably the greatest musician in this world at this point in time. God I have such a love hate relationship with him.

[@braddywarbucks]

Wow very intense. Never duplicated

[@screamingtrees9619]

The part where it switches at *2:11* just takes me back to summertime at the pool with cousins. Love it, smashing pumpkins are the fucking best!

[@pauljackson7915]

Absolutely brilliant rendition....James Iha's guitar work is out of this world....never seems to rate a mention....why?

[@saltyabcdef3202]

This needs more likes.

[@matthewcatanzano9178]

My favorite Pumpkins song and the best version of it. Absolutely beautiful!

[@wikipediadeepdive8860]

that part at 4:07 is next level

[@whitetrash-ej1ec]

They are just tearing the fuckin' house down!

[@nicholsjoshua15]

The house saw them coming and tore it's self down because it knew it would be torn down anyway.

[@evandanz5057]

its crazy to think all these people are in their 40s now

[@musingmike88]

Not necessarily. Some could be 38 or 39.

[@TrolleoMcTroll]

musingmike88 they are all 46-50 yrs old..

[@cuviemadeit]

Evan Danz and the darcy is screwed up

[@padistedor]

Evan Danz yes and we have all the money now, thanks to apple, google and amazon stock.

[@electromuff7870]

50-54

[@mergingmarky8274]

Cool to see Corgan so happy with this performance..u can tell..👌🎶

[@seanmanoukian4860]

So good

[@jacobsung4502]

That transition tho....

[@O.D.E.GuitarSoundtracks]

such an underrated track!!!! crazy bridge as well!

[@Peacesells699]

This is fantastic.. True fucking rock music, amazing musicians and that drummer Jimmy Chamberlin is amazing one of the best in the world probably..

[@ahr1man]

What a gig this must have been

[@Jeg08.]

3:29 It like the best part of the song for me.. its just so badass, like right after a incredible solo too.

[@PO-si4ty]

Just amazing shit. Such a bad ass band.

[@ninomediera1706]

Yo the 90s. Come back please

[@courtbeall7768]

nothing else out at that time came even close to this masterpeice

[@leozimtub]

man I always loved SP but never stop to hear Siamese Dream complete. All the songs are so good, omg

[@wesodonovan9887]

Still a classic today

[@ricd2821]

I've always felt this was like 3 songs- effortless

[@OssianPosse]

Genius

[@jflow420]

this is awesome. I love how happy they all look, like they are really having fun. wish i was at this show....

[@ECpian05]

the only performance that I can find of them playing this in standard tuning

[@justingold9845]

Hey we have a comment section! One of the best rock songs ever.

[@gerrickreidenbach8147]

The Miller Beer sign to the side of the stage raises doubt as to the authenticity of the entire performance and the cast of characters assembled under its banner. This is indeed "another USA."

[@male1456]

hey thanks 4 the upload buddy. happy memories from the 90s hey

[@josehdez1309]

Melancólicos y Potentes!