1988, in a dark, smoky Polish club in Chicago, Billy Corgan, James Iha, and D'Arcy Wrestzky took a small, crowded stage with nothing else but a drum machine and a couple of microphones. 5 years later, they would be one of the biggest names in music, selling albums quicker than lightning.

In 2000, the band (who had achieved massive radio and commercial success) suddenly called it quits. Why? No one really knows that answer. However, after the failures of Zwan and a dreary, at best, solo career, Billy Corgan announced the reincarnation of the Smashing Pumpkins in 2005. Nearly two years later, we have a confirmation of an album title, a release date, several shows being done, a management company, and label, but one subject that has been kept in the dark is "who is in the band?"

Confirmed are Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin. During some recording sessions in late 2005 through early 2006, they confirmed Eric Avery (of Jane's Addiction) contributing bass tracks. What I do know and what I don't know (which is Billy's agenda) spawns two questions in my mind: Who is involved in the reunion and is the new album going to explode or pan?

First, the confirmed original members in the reunion are Billy and Jimmy. These two, in all brutal honesty, are the band's core. Without Billy using Jimmy and Jimmy using Billy, the Smashing Pumpkins would cease to be, for these two are complete foils for each other. I'm not saying that James and D'Arcy (and later Melissa Auf Der Maur) weren't necessary, they were, but as far as recording, it was generally Billy and Jimmy. I think that for the band to achieve mass levels again, they have to include (at the very very least) Melissa. There are several guitarists out there who can nail James Iha, but not very many, and given the words exchanged between Billy and Jimmy and D'Arcy, the latter two may have nothing to do with this.

The new album, entitled Zeitgeist, is due for release on July 7th. Again, looking at the post-Mellon Collie history of the band, Adore, despite selling over 3 million copies, was a commercial failure, and Machina/The Machines of God, released in February 2000, didn't achieve Gold status from the RIAA until mid-2006. If the sounds leans toward what comprised Adore and Machina, I don't predict a huge explosion, at the most a big one fueled only be the fact that one of the biggest names of the 90's came back, fueling the already exploding re-interest in 90's alternative (following new albums released by Noveselic/Grohl, Pearl Jam, and Soul Asylum). However, if Zeitgeist returns to a more "classic" Pumpkins sound (say Sianese Dream or Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness), that massive explosion could very likely happen.

I guess all these question will be answered by July 7th. I know I'm interested, are you?

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I've had this MOG for a while, and still haven't written in it, but hell, I guess I'm sick of procrastinating. Anyway, one of the things I do in my spare time (when I have it) is log on to either MySpace or PureVolume and check out bands who are unsigned and absorb their music. I also give these bands a lot of feedback, which in many ways helps their music evolve more. There are several bands in Texas (where most of my searches take place) that are just absolutely phenomenal. Ranging from metal, to emo/post-hardcore, and even to ska, these bands all have one thing in common: The ability to front the next wave of Texas rock. Below are a list of these bands, where they're from, what genre of music they are, specific songs I recommend, and how to contact and/or find their music.

Astrophix Pharr, TX Emo/Rock/Post-Hardcore

www.myspace.com/astrophix www.purevolume.com/astrophix

Recommended Songs: "Worth The Wait", "Like Clockwork"

Astrophix blends styles ranging from the Ataris to Rufio to Fugazi, and is one of the only bands I've seen who does it this well and with this much ease. Hailing from way down in south Texas (nearly Mexico), this bands enormous following and aggressive, yet melodic sound could very likely put the little town of Pharr on the map. They already have a demo out, "The Play Is Cast", so be sure to check them out. You will be amazed, I guarantee it.

Sacred Lynch Cedar Creek Lake, TX Progressive Metal (3rd Wave)

www.myspace.com/sacredlynch

Recommended Songs: "Making Me Sick", "Fall"

Those of you who are into Mudvayne and Slipknot will love this band. By combining the musical elements of the aforementioned bands and using a clean/growl mix in the vocal department, this band is worthy of the term "mathematical". They are super aggressive, so you can bet shows are energetic and loud.

Audition For A Murder Corpus Christi, TX Metal/Experimental/Progressive

www.myspace.com/auditionforamurder

Recommended Songs: "Cut Throat Board Game"

What's better than a bunch of high school kids shredding and screaming? A bunch of of high school kids shredding and screaming right in front of your face. Hailing from Corpus Christi, AFAM has the goods to become huge in the metal industry. Aggressive, powerful, loud, brooding, these guys canvas the entire spectrum of heavy metal music. You can hear so much influence in their sound, ranging from Dream Theater to Mudvayne to Cradle of Filth. Not bad for a bunch of guys who can't even legally purchase a pack of cigarettes, huh?

Aurora Dallas, TX Progressive Rock

www.myspace.com/aurorarock

Recommended Songs: "Catalysts In Black", "Dissonance"

This band is absolutely amazing. Aurora contrasts the most obscure time signatures, wailing instruments, and ever fluctuating vocals into this mixture of metal obscurity and arena rock talent. With influences ranging from Rush to Dream Theater to Sunny Day Real Estate, Aurora blends the lat 40 years of music together and unleashes their monster upon Deep Ellum. Keep on a lookout for these guys, and in their words "they'll be pimpin' it up soon!"

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