Do not — we repeat: do not — jump up on Billy Corgan’s stage. Or you will get Cherub Rock’d.
Last week, the Smashing Pumpkins brought their In Plainsong tour to Memphis’ Orpheum Theatre, and while the band was covering the Rolling Stones’ “Angie”, some doofus decided to jump up on stage and nod along. Corgan was not feeling it, understandably, telling the guy: “Get the fuck off my stage before I punch you in the fucking face.”
The stage crasher and his untucked shirt quickly complied, and left the scene. Corgan then flashed the devil horns to the crowd, and appeared like he had more to say. Showing some nice restraint, he held off, and he and the band went back into “Angie”. Watching the rest of the fan-filmed video below, it appears the Stones’ cover was their final song of the evening, so Corgan probably realized it was better to just finish the performance and call it a night.
Oddly enough, as Stereogum notes, this Pumpkins tour has been full of news. A few weeks ago, James Iha joined Corgan on stage in Los Angeles for the first time in 16 years, and things have looked so rosy in Camp Pumpkins that former bassist D’arcy Wretzky said last week she’d “consider” reuniting with her ex-bandmates, a move that would solidify the Chicago alt-rock luminaries’ original and classic lineup. Be sure to also check out our full gallery of the Pumpkins recent tour stop in Boston.