Smashing Pumpkins Play the Hits, Skip Their U.S.-Themed Songs At America 250 Block Party On July 4th

Smashing Pumpkins were invited to the L.A. Coliseum’s 250 Block Party celebrating 250 years of the United States. Still a highly popular band, they understood that it would be best to play the hits considering there would be plenty of casual fans watching so they ripped through “1979”, “Bullet with Butterfly Wings”, “Edin” from ‘Aghori Mhori Mei’, “Tonight Tonight”, “Cherub Rock” and “Today”. Other performers included Chris Stapleton and Chaka Khan.

But while it was satisfying, perhaps some of the hardcore Smashing Pumpkins fans would have liked something related more to the U.S. Here are three songs that fit the bill.

“Geek U.S.A.” (Siamese Dream, 1993)

Still considered by fan consensus as one of the band’s greatest album tracks on their best album, the lengthy rocker with the soft middle, “Geek U.S.A.”, focuses more on a relationship and general woe but it does end with the line “we really love the U.S.A.” sung tongue-in-cheek.

“United States” (Zeitgeist, 2007)

With a general protest mood, “United States” was the longest track off ‘Zeitgeist’ at over 9 minutes but it brought some melodic hard rock, a ‘revolution blues’ as Billy Corgan sings.

“Freak U.S.A.” (Teargarden By Kaleidyscope, 2010)

“Freak U.S.A.” sometimes titled “Freak”, was part of the Teargarden project right before ‘Oceania’. It’s a upbeat rocker that has a sweet melody under its crunch but some pessimistic lyrics involved lost dreams.

Of course, none of these songs were really appropriate for a celebration concert hence the hits were played instead.