Billy Corgan 2000-02-19

February 19, 2000 – Carrboro, NC, US
Live performance by Billy Corgan
Resume the Pose tour
Date	February 19, 2000
Venue	Cat's Cradle
Coordinates	35°54′36″N 79°4′8″W
Location	Carrboro, NC, US
Venue type	Club
Capacity	750
Personnel	Billy Corgan, James Iha
Order of bands	Billy Corgan
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Originally booked as a Smashing Pumpkins show, Billy Corgan played a solo set after Jimmy Chamberlin was stung by a jellyfish in his eye in Florida a few days earlier and was unable to perform. James Iha joined Corgan for four songs in the second set.

Setlist

Set one

1. "Speed Kills" (acoustic) 
2. "I of the Mourning" (acoustic) 
3. "Rock On" [David Essex] (acoustic) [3:22] 
4. "If There Is a God" (piano) 
5. "Once in a While" (piano) (live debut)
6. "Muzzle" (acoustic) 
7. "The Crying Tree of Mercury" 
8. "The Everlasting Gaze" (acoustic) 
9. "Bullet with Butterfly Wings" (acoustic) 
10. "To Sheila" (acoustic) 
    1. "Shame" (acoustic) 
    2. "Drown" (acoustic) 
    3. "To Sheila" (acoustic) (reprise) 
    4. "Drown" (tease) (acoustic) 

Set two

11. "Le Deux Machina" (piano) (live debut)
12. "Today" (piano) 
13. "Heavy Metal Machine" (acoustic) 
14. "Once Upon a Time" (abandoned) (acoustic) 
15. "Once Upon a Time" (acoustic) 
16. "Try, Try, Try" (acoustic) (live debut)
17. "Blue Skies Bring Tears" (piano) [3:42] 
18. "Be Strong Now" (acoustic) 
19. "Tonight, Tonight" (acoustic) 
20. "Cherub Rock" (acoustic) 
21. "Glass and the Ghost Children" (acoustic) [10:48] 
    1. "Blissed and Gone" (tease) (acoustic) 

Encore

22. "Disarm" (acoustic) 
23. "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" (tease) 
24. (improv)
25. "1979" (acoustic) 
26. "Happy Birthday" [Patty Hill / Mildred J. Hill] 

Notes

• Corgan on keyboard for "The Crying Tree of Mercury"
• James Iha on guitar and vocals for "Be Strong Now", "Tonight, Tonight", "Cherub Rock" and "Glass and the Ghost Children"
• First performance of "Be Strong Now" since 1998-03-31 and the only time Corgan has played on the song live
• First performance of "Drown" since 1998-06-07
• First performances of "Shame" and "Once Upon a Time" since 1998-08-21

Banter

(Billy starts strumming)
Guy in crowd: We love you, Billy!
BC: I love you too.
Speed Kills (acoustic)
BC: Thank - thank you very much, thank you. So um, as I'm sure you all know, uh...as I'm sure you all know, uh, Jimmy couldn't play tonight. So, um, rather than cancel the show, uh, I started to do this instead. Just to warn you in advance, um, uh, the show is long. The show is long and uh, I put a lot of songs in tonight that uh, I probably - some I haven't played for years. So to the extreme obsessive Pumpkin fan.... This is uh, this is uh, this is definitely your kind of show. To the casual "I wanted to see the band rock", you're going to hate this show, I guarantee you you’re going to hate it. So uh, you know, for those of you who are extremely disappointed at this moment when you realize it's not what you thought it was gonna be, I'll offer you a refund right now if you wanna go ‘cause um, I'm not saying I want anyone to leave but, it's hard to compete with the talking and whooping and I wanna do an amazing show. I can't fight the - you know, I can’t, I don't have a wall to kill you with, you know what I mean, like I normally do. So uh, so um, I'm gonna do my best and uh, I just ask for patience and a little bit of respect and we're all good.
I of the Mourning (acoustic)
BC: Yes? How can I help? No, I said I was gonna play a lot of songs, I didn't say I was gonna take requests. I'm not very good with being told what to do.
Rock On (acoustic)
BC: Thank you.
If There is a God (piano)
> Once in a While (piano)
BC: My uh, my apologies to all real piano players. I do not claim to be one. Not even sure I can play this thing.
Fan: Fart into the mic, I’d think it was beautiful.
BC: I share the same sentiment.
Muzzle (acoustic)
(drum machine being tested)
BC: I’m sorry, wrong song.
Guy in crowd: Whadda ya gotta say to the Sun-Times?!
BC: Huh?
Guy in crowd: The Sun-Times!
BC: What are you asking me?
Guy in crowd: When you were in Holland, you said fuck the Sun-Times! (note: fan seems to be referencing a misdated version of 1993-07-26)
BC: That's a long time ago. I’m on a whole new bag now. It's like a kinder, more eviler me. (drum machine starts) It’s alright, I don’t mind the talking anymore.
The Crying Tree of Mercury (keyboard, played with drum machine)
BC: Thank you very much, I’m not sure what that was about but um...I think I saw my future, like a piano lounge, 55 years old, like “Aren’t you that guy?” “No, no, it’s not me,” cigarette and a drink. Thanks, Las Vegas. One of our finest American treasures.
The Everlasting Gaze (acoustic)
Bullet with Butterfly Wings (acoustic)
BC: Thank you very much. The last time I did one of these by myself deals, I think was Christmas of ‘98. So I have to tell you I’m completely terrified and I’m very sorry that I seem nervous but I am. You like the nervousness, I see now. Takes a while for the drugs to kick in. So I’d like to do one more piece for you to end this first set and uh...thank you.
To Sheila (acoustic)
> Shame (acoustic)
> Drown (acoustic)
> To Sheila (reprise) (acoustic)
> Drown (tease - one line) (acoustic)
[set break]
Le Deux Machina (piano)
> Today (piano)
Heavy Metal Machine (acoustic, played with drum machine)
BC: I agree. Jimmy Chamberlin on the dru - oh, I’m sorry. Melissa Auf der Maur on the - oh. James Iha - oh. How’s everybody doin’?
Guy in crowd: Old song?
BC: Eh. Would anyone like to talk for a second? I need to catch my breath so uh....
Guy in crowd: Please play Rhinoceros!
BC: Please play Rhinoceros. You're the, you're the same guy that's been yellin' that since ‘91. I thought I recognized your voice. Um, does anyone know that we played here once before, like uh - well, the band, not me - uh, ‘92 maybe? ‘90? ‘91, okay. Now, do you know that there was a bomb threat that night? Yes, the night that we played here at the Cat’s Cradle, there was a bomb threat.
Guy in crowd: It used to be over there.
BC: Oh, it was a different one? Okay, so it doesn’t matter, that’s the end of my story. Well, heh heh, alright, I’ll tell you the story anyway. So we were staying at, you know, the Motel 9 or whatever and we never had a bomb threat before so we were kinda freaked out and, you know, this is back when we were trying to be PC. Jimmy was fine with it, James was fine with it, I thought “If we’re gonna die, better on stage than not on stage.” Don’t get any ideas! So we said very kind of PC-like to D’arcy, you know, “If you don’t want to do the show, we understand. You know, it’s probably going to be hard to play if you can’t concentrate” and she said, “Alright, I don’t want to do the show” and we all turned and said, “What the fuck do you mean you don’t want to do the show?” And what ensued was probably one of the worst band arguments we ever had. There was lots of door slamming, we literally had to drag her on stage. And then, uh, probably right about the time we would’ve been playing Rhinoceros, just to rub salt in the wound, I started - yup, it’s a audio moment - I started doing kind of this through the mic: (whistles downward, makes explosion noise). At which point, she started to flip me off and um.... Thank you, Cat’s Cradle! Now tonight the only threat of a bomb is this show. Alright, back to the serious, uh, musings of a singer. Can I have those? Don’t take those. Please, give them back. I need this one. You can keep this one, I’ll give you this one at the end. (people yell a few song requests) It would help if you yell songs that I know. ... Sorry, sorry. I will service each one of you personally after the show. Uh, but uh, see, it’s hard to transition into the song about my dead mother but um, I’m trying right now, heh heh heh. This is when a - I don’t, I don’t, I haven’t played this song a lot but it’s one of my favorite songs so I wanted to play it. It’s okay, you don’t have to shut up anymore, it’s alright. This song about my mother, who’s not alive, how’s that?
Once Upon a Time (abandoned after a few seconds)
BC: Shit.
Once Upon a Time (acoustic)
(drum machine begins and plays for about a minute)
BC: This is a - there you go. This is a song from our new album, it’s called Try, Try, Try, Try, Try. I’ve never actually played this song before, so.... In public.
Try, Try, Try (acoustic, played with drum machine)
BC: So um.... I just - I just kindly ask your permission to take you to hell one more time. Heh heh. I'm giving you the option because it’s - it is pretty dark where I’m going. You want to go to hell, yes?
Blue Skies Bring Tears (piano)
BC: Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. James Iha!
Iha: Wow. Hello. [2 unintelligible words]. How you doin'? Wow, wow, you guys are rockin', heh.
BC: They’re so happy to see you 'cause they know you're gonna rock them.
Iha: Ahhh.... In a very mellow acoustic way.
Be Strong Now (Billy/Iha acoustic)
Iha: Thanks. Alright, now what do you wanna play?
Tonight, Tonight (Billy/Iha acoustic)
Iha: Woo!
Cherub Rock (Billy/Iha acoustic)
BC: You guys alright for a couple more songs? Heh heh. We're going back in evil territory so I just wanted to warn you.
Glass and the Ghost Children / Blissed and Gone (Billy/Iha acoustic)
BC: Thank you.
[encore break]
Disarm (acoustic)
BC: Can I say, can I say from the bottom of my heart, you guys are amazing, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. You guys rock! Thank you. Okay, so, heh heh, it’s art - art breakdown time. Um...hold on, I’m in charge! I’m large and I’m in charge [unintelligible]. Okay, so um, you know, usually like when we'd hit this point in a normal concert which obviously this isn't, we would do something, you know, crazy or try to do something to change the show or...something, I don’t know, make up something. So um, obviously there’s - I can’t play any louder and I don’t know any of my other songs so um...which is not true. So I have a very novel idea, okay? You have to follow me on this, it’s a little art breakdown and again, I’m not offering a refund this time but those of you who are frightened, you should leave now because this is where it gets very dicey. Okay, now, I have a couple questions, please answer them truthfully. Truthfully, because if you don’t answer them truthfully, okay, I will humiliate you and you’ll know what I mean when you don’t answer truthfully ‘cause I know when you’re lying. I know when you’ve been bad and I know when you’re lying. Okay, now, please understand, I need someone who writes poetry. Okay, you. Come on, come up, son. Okay, this is your microphone, please introduce yourself. That’s your microphone, what’s your name, honey?
Girl from crowd: Jamie Hubbard.
BC: Okay, make sure you talk in the microphone so everyone can hear you. Don’t be nervous. Everybody, uh, is not looking at you. Okay, you gotta pull the mic close though, okay? There you go.
Jamie: Okay, nailed it.
BC: Okay, now where are you from?
Jamie: Danville, Virginia.
BC: Danville, Virginia. Is that a state, Virginia? I don’t know.
Jamie: Unfortunately.
BC: Is it still a commonwealth or...?
Jamie: Unfortunately, it’s a state.
BC: Okay, now...Danielle, right?
Jamie: Jamie.
BC: Jamie. Shit. Jamie.
Jamie: Okay?
BC: Jamie, okay, now um, I need a sharpie, okay? Hold on. Hold on! Hold on - okay, yeah, that’s a good idea actually, you play piano? Okay, come on stage. Okay, hi, what’s your name? Lawson? Okay, okay, hold on. Because you play a lame instrument, you do not get a microphone so please sit down. Alright, he wants to say happy birthday to his girlfriend Jen. Of course Jen was backstage with us before the show but...
Lawson: Happy birthday, baby.
BC: So, Jamie and Schlossen? Lawson, there you go. Alright.
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (tease - Lawson plays on piano)
BC: Okay, okay. I don’t even know it. Okay, now, just so you know, we always tune in E flat so we're a half step down so when I say E, it means E flat to you. Okay. Now, again, please answer honestly, someone who can play the guitar for real. Okay, I pointed at you. ... Okay, we got Lawson, Jeff and Jamie. Alright. This is where it gets really dicey though. I’ve always wanted to do this. I believe this is the perfect night, you are the perfect audience for this moment. Now if you have a little bit of patience with us, a little bit of patience with us, we’re going to now write a song. Doesn’t mean it’s going to be a good song but we’re going to write a song so I forgive anyone who wants to leave now because this is very bad art but it’s something I want to do. Okay, so, alright. Okay now....
Guy in crowd: We’ve got a horticulturist in the audience!
BC: A horticulturist? I’m not trying to grow weed, brother, just trying to write a tune. Tryin’ to write some songs. Alright. Now, again, I still need some audience participation so I’m going to ask different people up here questions. Okay, now, your job is to help provide the rhymes.
Jamie: Mm hmm.
BC: Your job is to help provide alternate chord patterns and you’re - you’re helping supply the melody. Liz Phair, okay. Now you get to see what a dictator I really am. Alright! Okay, so uh, who wants to provide us with a subject? Okay, this guy right here. What is the subject? Huh? What’d you say, a blowjob? I’m not writing about that. I’m guessing that would be a short song with you. Okay, I’m going to ask this nice young lady right here, I need a subject. Hold on, I’m ask - I’m sorry, I can’t....
Guy in crowd: Life on the road!
BC: Life on the road? Jesus christ, didn’t Metallica cover that already? Oh, being in a rock band? Uh, we’ve done that one too. Okay, your friend is in the hospital and he’s supposed to be here. Okay, why is he in the hospital? Please don’t say.... You don’t know why he’s in the hospital? That’s perfect. Fine. What is his name? Ashley. It’s a guy...but he’s posing as a woman. Perfect. Now I gotta write this down. ... Alright. I’m gonna ask my man over here, what key would you like the song to be in?
Guy in crowd: E.
BC: That’s too easy. That’s too easy, pick an interesting key.
Guy in crowd: G, uh....A.
BC: Heh heh heh heh. I know there’s only 12 keys.
Guy in crowd: A through G, man. Anything you wanna do.
BC: Alright, G. G. Ashley, the cross dressing guy in the hospital...in G. Which for you is in F sharp. Alright, here we go, we’re checking. Alright, now, using the kind of Brian Eno technique, what chord do you wanna hear next? Yes, you. Pick a letter. She wants to hear the chord Y. C, okay. It’s a little bit standard for me but we’ll go with it. So we’re gonna go G...G with a C7 if you know what that is. No, C7 is um, you don’t put your index finger down. There you go. Alright, so, here’s our basic song. (strums for a few seconds) Or would you like to try something different? (plays a little more) Alright, that’s good. Okay, now we just need a - now we just need one change to go to. You’ll have another one. B? B or D? Hey, okay, she says B. B minor, B minor. Alright, that will be our - our change, B, which is [unintelligible]. Okay, now we turn to you, our poetress. Okay, what the fuck rhymes with Ashley?
Jamie: I have no idea.
BC: Sassy?
Jamie: Bashfully, bashfully.
BC: Bashfully?
Jamie: Bashfully.
BC: Okay. Gimme a - gimme the first melody note...there, my man. Okay, bashfully Ashley... (crowd starts chattering) This is where it gets really dicey. Alright, you guys play the song and I’ll just sing the melody, we’ll try that. But wait, you need to supply some rhymes here so I’ll set you up for the rhymes, okay?
Jamie: Okay. Give me evil.
BC: Need a little silence as we think here.
Jamie: Shhh.
(piano and guitars play)
BC: We gotta bring it down for emotional effect. (instruments play quieter) There you go. (singing) Bashfully, Ash-a-ley, stuck in the hospital, doesn’t know...
Jamie: That he couldn’t make it to the show.
BC: (singing) He couldn’t find his dress.
Jamie: With [unintelligible but sounds like Heroin Bill].
BC: (singing) [unintelligible] bares himself in front of me. (speaking) Change! (singing) Oh Ashley, why aren’t you...here? Oh Ashley...
Jamie: I want you here.
BC: Alright, not bad, not bad, not bad. Not bad. Okay, you might’ve hit record. Not a hit record. Not a hit record. [recording cuts]
1979 (acoustic, played with drum machine)
BC: Thank you. I’ll sing Happy Birthday to you, what’s your name? Jen? How old are you, Jen? Fifteen?! [recording cuts next line] If you’re in Illinois, fifteen’s legal over here, I don’t know. And now I’m gonna sing Happy Birthday, are you ready? (Lawson plays Happy Birthday, crowd sings along) Thank you, everybody. Look under the covers, [unintelligible]. Once you’re legal, we can’t use your name. You’ll have to change it to something else. And uh, one more time, thank you for a beautiful, amazing night.