THE SMASHING PUMPKINS DESCEND ON THE CITY OF LIGHT
FOR FIRST PERFORMANCE SINCE 2000;

BAND EARNS RAPTUROUS RESPONSE FROM FANS AT SOLD-OUT SHOW AT THE HISTORIC GRAND REX THEATRE IN PARIS, FRANCE

Taking the stage for the first time since December 2, 2000, THE SMASHING PUMPKINS drew a rapturous response tonight (May 22) from 2200 fans who packed the historic and elegantly appointed Grand Rex in Paris, France. It was the much-anticipated first stop on the band's world tour, and tickets for the intimate and wide-ranging three-hour show had sold out within minutes of going on sale. The Parisians gave the band a true hero's welcome as they debuted material from the July 10 release ZEITGEIST (Martha's Music/Reprise)--their first album of new material since 2000--alongside an array of Pumpkins classics and fan favorites that have defined the alternative music era and underlined the band's diversity. *See the evening's set list at the end of release.

ZEITGEIST—which features the just-released single "Tarantula," now buzzing loudly at Rock and Alternative radio as well as all over the internet----represents a powerful rebirth and reaffirmation of the Smashing Pumpkins by two of its key members, main singer-songwriter and guitarist Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. At the Grand Rex, they welcomed Jeff Schroeder (guitar) and Ginger Reyes (bass) to the line-up, which is supported by keyboardist Lisa Harriton.

Next up for the Pumpkins: they're headlining major European festivals from May 28 at Holland's Pinkpop festival through June 17 at Switzerland's Greenfield Festival, returning to Europe August 17 in Belgium (Pukkelpop Festival) and England August 24 (Leeds Festival) and August 26 (Reading Festival) as well performing in Istanbul, Turkey September 1. The band's itinerary includes a "Live Earth" performance July 7 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ and headlining festival appearances at the Virgin Festivals in Washington, DC (August 5) and Toronto, ONT (September 8).

The Pumpkins also announced two sets of residency gigs in the U.S.: nine unprecedented shows at the Orange Peel in Asheville, NC (June 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30 and July 2, 3, and 5) plus 11 shows at the historic Fillmore in San Francisco (July 15, 16, 18, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30 and 31 and August 1). At these very special and intimate residencies—both of which instantly sold out--the band will vary set lists from night to night. They'll perform songs from Zeitgeist and Pumpkins classics plus retool songs that didn't make it onto Zeitgeist and even offer tunes written the day of the show. These shows will give fans a unique opportunity to see the Pumpkins inside the process of creation and operating in the spur of the moment. The band will be taking chances in the hope of taking fans, and their music, to new places.

Check out the band's tour dates at www.smashingpumpkins.com and www.myspace.com/smashingpumpkins.


THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, GRAND REX, PARIS, FRANCE
5/22 SET LIST

United States
Today
Stand Inside Your Love
Orchid
Doomsday Clock
Home
Hummer
Starz
Tarantula
Bullet
Gossamer
God and Country
33
Rocket
Winterlong
To Sheila
Glass and the Ghost
Cherub Rock
1979
Tonight
Neverlost
That's the Way
Disarm
Zero
Untitled
Shame
Silverfuck
Annie Dog
Muzzle