The Smashing Pumpkins
F.Y.E, Colonie Center
Albany, New York
February 23, 2000
By T.G. Clown

I got a week notice that the Smashing Pumpkins were coming to F.Y.E at the Colonie Center in Albany, New York.  I was very excited.  They are my favorite band and I always wanted to see them perform.  However, I didn't really want to go because of some personal issues.  Furthermore, I really didn't feel like getting a bus schedule and looking up the direction, buying a camera, calling Colonie Center for information, etc?  I also thought that I wouldn't get a good view because the only time I could get there was 5:00 p.m. and the Smashing Pumpkins were scheduled to perform at 6:00 p.m. 

Anyway I decided that I should go.  "What the hell, I have nothing to lose!"  It was time to go and so I called a cab.  My sister, our friend, and I waited for the cab to come for about 30 minutes.  I was getting so frustrated and annoyed at the cab drivers.  However, there was a cab that was waiting for a girl that was suppose to got to an airport, but never showed up, and so we took that cab.  On our way I talked with the cab driver, he said something like this never happens in Albany and so it was a chance of a lifetime.  As the cab driver drove to the Colonie Center Parking lot, we spotted the Pumpkins tour bus.  It was green and had swirls around it.  I was so excited to see their tour bus.  The Pumpkins tour bus!  The cab driver only wanted a tip, since we didn't call for his cab, so we gave him $10.

As we ran towards the Colonie Center door, these girls asked if we came to see the Pumpkins and we said, "yes!"  They gave out radio station bumper stickers and the Smashing Pumpkins' MACHINA| the Machines of Gods cover ad.  We took it and ran into the mall.  I stopped and looked for F.Y.E at a direction board because the Pumpkins were scheduled to perform there.  Then we ran down the hall and saw a stage that was set up for the band.  I was so excited, but I noticed that the place was already packed with devoted Pumpkins fans that skipped classes to see them perform.  As a result, we weren't allowed to go see the band from the first floor.  The police officers told us to so upstairs.  So we ran to an escalator to get us up to the second floor.  As we walked down the second floor, we noticed the people already occupied their position to see the band.  However, I slowly laid my hand on a bar that protected us from falling and emerged into position.  Finally I was able to see the stage!  I was so excited that I took a picture of the set. 

As the fans waited for the band, the Roadies played Pumpkins songs and tuned their instruments.  It was almost 6:00 p.m. and everyone in the audience was excited.  I was also excited, but I was burning up because I wore three layers of clothes and a thick jacket from the GAP that was named the "Warmest Jacket."  However, I didn't take off my jacket because some none Pumpkin fan would take my place.  Yes, it was that tight.  If I moved alittle then someone would slip his or her body into my position and I didn't want that.  I came all the way and there was no way that I could give up my place. 

It was 6:00 p.m. and everyone waited.  However, the Pumpkins didn't come on.  We waited and waited, but they still wouldn't show.  I was getting pissed off.  I really wanted to see them and I was burning up.  Thirty minutes passed, but they still didn't show.  As a result, the fans started to chant Billy's name, "Billy!  Billy!"  My sister told me that she heard someone say, "this is a mean joke!"  Yes it was and I was getting heat exhausted.  People asked when the Pumpkins would be on, but the manager shrugged.  Then the lights went on the stage and people cheered, but still no Pumpkins. 

Finally, at 6:45 p.m. I saw Billy's baldhead emerging from nowhere.  I couldn't believe it!  It was Billy Corgan!  Then Melissa, James and Jimmy followed.  Billy was wearing the long black leather pants-dress.  Melissa was wearing a sleeveless black top with black pants and took pictures of the crowd.  James was wearing a red shirt and jeans, he looked better in person and I really liked what he wore.  Jimmy was wearing a button down printed shirt with a jacket.  As they got ready to play they waved and looked at the audience in the front, but not at the devoted misfortunate fans at the top.

"Wow!" I thought, "these people really do exist!  They are for real!"

Their first song was "Glass + The Ghost Children."  I never heard this song even though it was available on mp3 because I wanted to hear the album version first.  Jimmy started to play his yellow drum set and Melissa and James joined.  Then Billy started to sing and every one cheered and took pictures.  I really liked the song.
However, they still didn't look up, so I kept on waving at Billy and yelled out his name.  I kept on waving and then finally Billy looked up at me and waved back with the same arm motion as me.  I was shocked!  Billy waved at me! 

Then after the first song, James moved the amp in front of him and it squeaked.  So Billy turned to James and said, "what the hell?"  Then Billy said that he was such a loser in high school that he couldn't even get a job at a mall like this one, but now he's the king of the mall.  Everyone cheered.  Then the band jammed their way into "Today" and everyone sang along.  It was so exciting and fun.  Then Billy moved to the back on keyboards and James and Melissa moved closer together and played "Blue Skies Bring Tears."  It was the first time that I heard this song because I refused to listen to their mp3 because it takes out the fun when you buy the CD.  It was an interesting song; it was Adore-ish.  Then they played "I of the Mourning."  For some reason I can't remember this song all that well, but it's my favorite song off of MACHINA, how ironic.  As the band played, Billy threw couple of picks at the crowds and people rushed to grab it. 

Then the band ripped into "Bullet with Butterfly Wings," the audience again sang along.  They did some interesting work for the song, like Jimmy's solo.  I kept on taking pictures, but I had the good camera at home.  I was bumbed because I had those shitty disposable cameras.  Man!  Billy had a picture perfect position when he screamed, "?rat in a cage!"  Suddenly I couldn't take it anymore, I had to take off my jacket otherwise I would faint.  My friend helped me take off my jacket because I didn't want anyone to take my place.  It was so competitive.  Then they went into "Heavy Metal Machine," which sounded awesome.  Billy started to make the heavy metal sign with his hands and everyone on the first floor started to do it too.  It looked really cool from the top.  However, I realized that I was the only person at the top that made the gestures, so I felt alone.  I belonged with the people at the first floor!  They were the hardcore fans! 

Then Jimmy came down and played acoustic guitar with the band for "1979," which is one of my favorite Pumpkin songs.  They sounded great and I was so thrilled that I came.  However, I missed D'arcy.  The original Pumpkin line up was the band that I fell in love with, but Melissa was cool.  She did her thing and I am so happy for her. 

After "1979," the band waved and went in.  So everyone got up because they weren't sure if they were going to do an encore or do the signing.  However, I knew that they were going to play some more.  So we ran down the escalators and in to the pit, where everyone was standing.  The Pumpkins came on again and played "Rock On."  I kept on moving closer to the band.  Then suddenly I couldn't move because something was caught on my legs.  I looked down and it was the rope that prevented me from seeing the Pumpkins up close.  So I jumped over and so did my sister.  The security guards didn't see us (haha) and we moved closer to the band until we couldn't move anymore.  I stood near James and these tall guys yelled "James!"  Then I made a one-second eye contact with James and took pictures over my head.  Finally, they played "Everlasting Gaze," and the people went nuts, jumped up and down until they got sweaty. 

Finally, it was time to part and the band did their signing.  However, I couldn't stay because I am loser and I don't have a car and I had to catch a bus.  The set ended at about 8:15 p.m. and I took the bus back home.  God!  I wanted to stay for the signing, but I was still satisfied.  The Pumpkins threw a free show!  What more could I ask?  This is an experience that I will never forget.             

Set List
1-Glass + The Ghost Children
2-Today
3-Blue Skies Bring Tears
4-I of the Mourning
5-Bullet with Butterfly Wings
6-Heavy Metal Machine
7-1979
(ENCORE)
8-Rock On (David Essex Song)
9-The Everlasting Gaze