Starchildren
Encyclopedia
Starchildren was a side project of The Smashing Pumpkins
frontman Billy Corgan
. From 1990 to 1994 the band played a few scattered live shows, each usually featuring a different lineup of band members with only Corgan having constant involvement. The band officially released two songs, "Delusions of Candor
", an original composition by Corgan, and a cover of "Isolation
" by Joy Division
.
with varying members including Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin
, Neil Jendon, Cliff Fox, and Kerry Brown
(the latter three members of the band Catherine).
In 1994, the band emerged with a more visible presence playing a June 18 show that received coverage as an incognito Smashing Pumpkins show, despite it being a traditional Starchildren performance. The performance that night featured several songs that would later make their way onto Smashing Pumpkins' releases. Songs performed included The Cure
cover "A Night Like This" and the James Iha
penned "The Boy" which were later released in The Aeroplane Flies High
box set, as well as an early version of "Here Is No Why" from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
.
Although Starchildren was already closely associated with the band Catherine due to the groups' frequently overlapping members, this association was taken to another level by the 1994 release of the split 7" vinyl record "Songs about Girls"/"Delusions of Candor"
. One side of the record featured the Catherine song "Songs about Girls" while the reverse featured the Starchildren tune "Delusions of Candor". This is the only original Starchildren composition released to date.
In 1995, the band's cover of Joy Division's "Isolation" appeared on the tribute album A Means to an End: The Music of Joy Division
.
In January 2010, Corgan announced plans to start a new record label, which may release new material from Starchildren.
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
frontman Billy Corgan
Billy Corgan
William Patrick "Billy" Corgan, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional poet best known as the frontman and sole permanent member of The Smashing Pumpkins. Formed by Corgan and guitarist James Iha in Chicago, Illinois in 1987, the band quickly gained steam with the...
. From 1990 to 1994 the band played a few scattered live shows, each usually featuring a different lineup of band members with only Corgan having constant involvement. The band officially released two songs, "Delusions of Candor
Delusions of Candor
"Delusions of Candor" is a song by Starchildren, a side project of The Smashing Pumpkins member Billy Corgan. It is the only original song officially released by the band. The song received a limited release of 1000 white vinyl records and 5000 black vinyl records...
", an original composition by Corgan, and a cover of "Isolation
Isolation (Joy Division song)
"Isolation" is a 1980 song appearing on the post-punk band Joy Division's second album, Closer. The song is based upon an industrial beat by Stephen Morris, accompanied by a high-pitched keyboard line by Bernard Sumner...
" by Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
.
History
First appearing in 1990 (then billed as Star Children), Corgan gave the motto of the band as "Be repetitive for nuisance's sake." Little is known about the early incarnation of the band, other than they played at least two shows at the Cabaret MetroMetro Chicago
This page is about the concert hall; for the metro region surrounding Chicago, see Chicago metropolitan area.Metro is a concert hall at 3730 N. Clark Street in Chicago, Illinois that plays host to a variety of local, regional and national emerging bands and musicians. The Metro was first opened in...
with varying members including Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin
Jimmy Chamberlin
Jimmy Chamberlin is an American drummer, songwriter, and producer. He is best known as the former drummer for the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. After a drug-related incident with touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin in 1996, Chamberlin was fired from the band and joined The Last...
, Neil Jendon, Cliff Fox, and Kerry Brown
Kerry Brown (musician)
Kerry Brown is a record producer, movie soundtrack producer and a musician. He was the drummer in Chicago alternative rock band Catherine in the 1990s. He was married to D'arcy Wretzky of The Smashing Pumpkins at that time, and is now married to Stacey Sher...
(the latter three members of the band Catherine).
In 1994, the band emerged with a more visible presence playing a June 18 show that received coverage as an incognito Smashing Pumpkins show, despite it being a traditional Starchildren performance. The performance that night featured several songs that would later make their way onto Smashing Pumpkins' releases. Songs performed included The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
cover "A Night Like This" and the James Iha
James Iha
James Yoshinobu Iha b. March 26, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois) is a Japanese American rock musician. He is best known as having been a guitarist and co-founder of the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins and for his eclectic musical projects of recent years, most notably being a permanent...
penned "The Boy" which were later released in The Aeroplane Flies High
The Aeroplane Flies High
The Aeroplane Flies High is a five-disc box set released by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins in 1996. It contains expanded versions of the five singles from their album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and also included a 44-page booklet with pictures and writings by the...
box set, as well as an early version of "Here Is No Why" from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness is the third album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released October 24, 1995 on Virgin Records. Produced by frontman Billy Corgan with Flood and Alan Moulder, the twenty-eight-track album was released as a two-disc CD and triple LP...
.
Although Starchildren was already closely associated with the band Catherine due to the groups' frequently overlapping members, this association was taken to another level by the 1994 release of the split 7" vinyl record "Songs about Girls"/"Delusions of Candor"
Delusions of Candor
"Delusions of Candor" is a song by Starchildren, a side project of The Smashing Pumpkins member Billy Corgan. It is the only original song officially released by the band. The song received a limited release of 1000 white vinyl records and 5000 black vinyl records...
. One side of the record featured the Catherine song "Songs about Girls" while the reverse featured the Starchildren tune "Delusions of Candor". This is the only original Starchildren composition released to date.
In 1995, the band's cover of Joy Division's "Isolation" appeared on the tribute album A Means to an End: The Music of Joy Division
A Means to an End: The Music of Joy Division
A Means to an End: The Music of Joy Division is a tribute album, featuring various artists covering the songs of Joy Division.-Track listing:#"She's Lost Control"...
.
In January 2010, Corgan announced plans to start a new record label, which may release new material from Starchildren.
Discography
- "Delusions of CandorDelusions of Candor"Delusions of Candor" is a song by Starchildren, a side project of The Smashing Pumpkins member Billy Corgan. It is the only original song officially released by the band. The song received a limited release of 1000 white vinyl records and 5000 black vinyl records...
" (1994) - "Isolation" on A Means to an End: The Music of Joy DivisionA Means to an End: The Music of Joy DivisionA Means to an End: The Music of Joy Division is a tribute album, featuring various artists covering the songs of Joy Division.-Track listing:#"She's Lost Control"...
(1995)