Many eons ago on an episode of The Simpsons, I heard a short, but eventually life-changing, clip from a song by a band known as the 'Smashing Pumpkins'. The name of that episode was 'Homerpalooza' and, after searching the internet, I discovered that the name of that song was 'Zero'. After hearing the full version of the song, I soon found myself checking out some of the band's other works, eventually buying 'Rotten Apples: Greatest Hits' and 'Zeitgiest' off of the internet. From then on, I became entranced by the music of the Smashing Pumpkins. It was as though their music, Billy's lyrics and Jimmy's drumming had become one with my soul... connecting with my emotions like no other band had done before. Their unique sound provided a more-than-satisfactory alternative to the mainstream music of modern times, intertwining many other genres of rock music (from progressive rock to heavy metal to acoustic rock to gothic rock to electronic rock and even jazz fusion with the way JC's jazz drumming influecnes connected with Billy and James' heavy guitar playing) to create a form of alternative rock that could be placed only in a genre of its own. It is beacause of these reasons (and possibly even more that are currently beyond the comprehension of my sixteen year old mind) that I am a devoted fan of Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin and the Smashing Pumpkins. If I were wearing a hat, I would take it off to these Gods of alternative rock... so instead I raise my hand up high and place my ring and middle finger into the palm of my hand in order to say... rock on, guys, rock on...