Jimmy Chamberlin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Jimmy Chamberlin | |
|---|---|
 24 August 2005, Carling Academy Islington, London, England |
|
| Born | June 10, 1964 (age 42) Joilet, Illinois, USA |
| Genre(s) | Alternative rock Jazz |
| Affiliation(s) | The Smashing Pumpkins Jimmy Chamberlin Complex Zwan Starchildren Last Hard Men |
| Label(s) | Caroline Virgin Reprise Sanctuary TVT Spitfire |
| Years active | 1988 - Present |
| Official site | www.jimmychamberlin.com |
James Joseph "Jimmy" Chamberlin (born June 10, 1964 in Joliet, Illinois) is a musician best known as the drummer for the rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. Chamberlin's early musical training was primarily as a jazz drummer, and he played in several Chicago area outfits before joining the Smashing Pumpkins shortly after their formation in 1988. Amalgamating Jazz with Rock in a new fussion, the secret to Chamberlin's distinct style and popularity lies in the sheer variation of beat: combining technical “wizardry” with impeccable feeling.
Chamberlin was an integral part of the Smashing Pumpkins' first three increasingly popular albums, Gish (1991), Siamese Dream (1993), and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995). His problems with substance abuse came to a head, however, at the peak of the Pumpkins' commercial popularity during the 1996 supporting tour for the Mellon Collie album. Prior to shows scheduled at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Chamberlin and touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin used heroin in a hotel room, leading to a much publicized fatal overdose by Melvoin. Following this episode, Chamberlin was kicked out of the band and replaced by touring and session drummers. During this time, Chamberlin went back into rehab. In late 1996, he then joined The Last Hard Men, lead by ex-Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach. The band released only one CD.
In 1999, Chamberlin returned to the Smashing Pumpkins for the Arising Tour. The band then returned to the studio to create what would became, Machina and Machina II (of which only 25 copies were ever produced which were then ripped to MP3/FLAC and distributed free on the internet.) The Smashing Pumpkins broke up following the 2000 tour in support of Machina.
Chamberlin went on to form Zwan in 2001 with his longtime friend and creative foil, Pumpkins singer/guitarist Billy Corgan. Zwan produced a single album, Mary Star of the Sea, and disbanded in 2003.
In April of 2002, Chamberlin married longtime girlfriend Lori. They gave birth to a daughter, Audrey, who was born in December of that year.
Chamberlin later formed the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, which recorded its debut album in 2004. Band personnel included Chamberlin (drums and lyrics), Billy Mohler (bass; also of The Calling), Sean Woolstenhulme (guitar; also of Lifehouse), and Adam Benjamin (Fender Rhodes). Additional musicians included Rob Dickinson (vocals; formerly of Catherine Wheel), Billy Corgan (vocals), "The Incomparable" Bill Medley (vocals; of the Righteous Brothers), Paul Chamberlin (additional drums; also Jimmy's older brother), Corey Wilton (guitar), and Linda Strawberry (vocals). The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex released Life Begins Again on January 25, 2005; Chamberlin also had a side project with former Dead Kennedys singer Jello Biafra.
Corgan announced at an April 2004 solo performance that he and Chamberlin intended to work together again in the future. That came closer to reality on June 21, 2005 as Corgan announced plans to reunite the Pumpkins through a full-page advertisement in his hometown's newspaper, the Chicago Tribune. Chamberlin contacted Corgan to accept, and on February 2, 2006, MTV.com reported that he and Corgan had signed a new management deal with the Front Line Management, with a spokesperson confirming they had signed under the name "Smashing Pumpkins".[1] On April 20th, 2006, it was officially announced on www.smashingpumpkins.com that "It's official. The Smashing Pumpkins are currently writing songs for their upcoming album, their first since 1999." [2] The site was updated on July 28 to mention that the band was in the studio. Corgan and Chamberlin are verified as members of the current lineup, but there has been no official word on other possible band members. In February 2007, Corgan posted a MySpace bulletin indicating that the band's new album, to be titled Zeitgeist will be released July 7, 2007.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Harris, Chris (2006). Smashing Pumpkins Reunion Is Under Way, According To Sources (http). MTV.com. Retrieved on February 02, 2006.
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (2006). Smashing Pumpkins Site Says 'It's Official' — Band Has Reunited (http). MTV.com. Retrieved on June 28, 2006.
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Biography
- Jimmy's Love Letters Blogs by Jimmy about the reforming of The Smashing Pumpkins
- The Smashing Pumpkins - The Smashing Pumpkins official website.
- Netphoria.org - Smashing Pumpkins Fan Site.
- Siva - Smashing Pumpkins Fan Site
- Spfc.org
- TheFutureEmbrace Forums - The Smashing Pumpkins Online Fan Forum
