The Gothic Horror of The Smashing Pumpkins
By Justin Drabek
We only come out at night
The days are much too bright
- “We Only Come Out at Night” from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995)
The horror stories I gravitated to when I was first getting into the genre were always that of a gothic nature: brooding castle, haunted houses, lost loves searching for each other from beyond the grave, monsters who aren’t the actual monster, broken humans, loved ones’ hearts kept in jars, split personalities, and ghosts trying to connect with a world that has forgotten them. When I first discovered Shirley Jackson, and specifically The Haunting of Hill House (1959), my other interest, music, was taking flight. As I read the book, I was beneath a Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness poster which was the only artwork in my room. These memories will always remind me of discovering a genre that has been the cornerstone of my life. It now has come full circle as I am about to direct a stage adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House at the age of 41. A dream that if you told the kid pouring over every Pumpkins lyric, while also diving into the words of Jackson, he wouldn’t have believed. Life is strange. Life is beautiful.
Samhain, Samhain
Under mask, I am stars
The Smashing Pumpkins has been a part of my journey through the works of Shelly, Stoker, James, Jackson, Poe, and King. As I dove deeper into the works of some of Gothic literature’s prominent names, I immersed myself in the sonic sounds of the Pumpkins. You can’t simplify them as a horror band, or that they only use haunted imagery, as that would do a disservice to the brilliance of how musically, and aesthetically, they have transcended genre. Still, for my money, they fit so well within the confines of cobwebs, vampires, lost souls, and things that go bump in the night.
I used to be a little boy
So old in my shoes
- “Disarm” from Siamese Dream (1993)
Much like horror, which is a way to confront both the known and unknown, I wouldn’t be okay with some of the abuse I suffered as a child if I didn’t have “Disarm” off of Siamese Dream. I remember being in a talent show at summer camp, tapping into and singing that song, and scaring all the camp counselor judges. I didn’t know what I connected to in that song at the time. Years later, I would have to confront my own horrors; and now I honestly tear up every time I hear the song, because at the time it was a way to get out my anger and confront the horror done to me and others at the hand of one human. Now, without question, it reminds me of the trauma. Even though the song is about Billy’s own experience of pain and anger, it is not the same as mine. Like a great horror novel, or film, music has the ability to become one’s own story and can be cathartic. Songs can help heal and make you feel like you’re not alone, even if you aren’t ok. That is a vital lesson I’ve had to learn over and over again.
If you have to go don’t say goodbye
If you have to go don’t you cry
If you have to go I will get by
Someday I’ll follow you and see you on the other side
- “For Martha” from Adore (1998)
The most gothic Smashing Pumpkins record in sound and style is Adore; from the Nosferatu-like images (Billy Corgan is dressed, and still dresses, seemingly like the vampire) to the song “Ava Adore,” it’s an album marred by loss of love and loved ones. It’s probably my favorite album by the band, and one I revisited a lot during the passing of my two grandmothers in a three-week span. There was something about sitting with the album after all these years, having songs unlocked in new ways. Songs that have stayed with me became something new, something that had me sitting next to the record player as it spun, allowing the horrors of reality that this all ends. No matter how profoundly you love or share moments with loved ones, at some point it all ends. I didn’t find sadness as I sat with the loss, in the songs, or in my life. I realized how beautiful it was to be able to share myself in the songs, and after the last song stopped, I was ready to embrace a life without these loved ones. Even in loss there can be beauty.
The music of The Smashing Pumpkins will continue to grow with me as I grow older. There will always be an aspect that will put me back in my childhood bedroom, reading horror and becoming a fan of the genre, while listening to one of my favorite bands. It all ends, but there is a beauty in it. The Smashing Pumpkins helped me see that. They will also forever be tied to my entry into the greatest thing ever: horror. 🩸
About
Justin Drabek is a contributing writer for Manor Vellum. He also writes for Horror Obsessive and formerly for Killer Horror Critic. He loves cats, and dogs seem to like him…he’s not so sure about them. Follow him on Instagram @ justindrabek.
Follow MANOR on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, and other sites via Linktree.
© 2024 Manor Entertainment LLC
