Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
The Gothamist Band Interview: Jimmy Chamberlin
By
Jen Carlson
Published May 4, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published May 4, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
After spending over a decade as the Smashing Pumpkins stickman, Jimmy Chamberlin has released a solo album under The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex. The cd is a sonic melting pot. If there was a sound in between Steely Dan, Miles Davis and Smashing Pumpkins then this comes pretty close to hitting it. It's soft and smooth one second (Streetcrawler), hard and jagged the next (Cranes of Prey), creating a sort of fusion jazz prog-rock. This sound undoubtedly comes from a lifetime of influences, something that is also apparent in the guests who turn up on the album, including: Billy Corgan, Rob Dickinson and the legendary Bill Medley.
Jimmy Chamberlin Complex are Billy Mohler (bass & vocals), Sean Woolstenhulme (guitar & vocals), Adam Benjamin (Fender Rhodes) and Jimmy Chamberlin on the drums. Catch them tonight at the Knitting Factory.
Let's get this out of the way, where did your band name originate?
My wife, Lori, came up with the title
What is your favorite/least favorite memory involving New York?
Pumpkins at Roseland ' 93/ The death of my friend Jonathan
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about playing shows in New York?
New York fans tell you how it is/ New York fans tell you how it is!
How does New York's music scene differ from Chicago's?
I don't think there's much of a difference other than sheer numbers.
Chicago has an East Coast vibe as far as people willing to make a
commitment...........Something we don't have in L.A
Now its time for some fill-in-the-blank action
You know you've made it when...
You're complaining about a "funny smell" in your private jet.
It'll be time to pack up the gear for good when...
I'm arguing the finer points of Kenny G
I'll never forget the first time I...
forgot what city I was in
I'll never forget the first time [insert another band members name here]...
The Chili Peppers played in Belgium. It was raining cats and dogs and Flea told 80,000 Belgians to "throw mud" if you like us. It took them three hours to clean off the stage!
Lets have some fun with word association. Give me your immediate feelings on the following (if you've got no discernable feelings, make something up that won't embarrass you in the morning)
Yankees: Randy Johnson vs. Curt Schilling 05 Playoffs!
Mets: Cubs
Britney: America!
Bridge & Tunnel: Mullets
The Darkness: Queen!
Times Square: Too clean! Bring back the filth!
Bloomberg/Smoking Ban/Noise Laws: Welcome to California!
Questions inspired by movies
If you will, a brief justification of the ontological necessity of modern man's existential dilemma (in less than 10 words). (Reality Bites)
I don't go to movies or watch TV but as far as I can tell , we must be here to destroy to the earth..........
What came first, the music or the misery? (High Fidelity)
A few quickies on the music tip
Who would be in your ultimate music supergroup, your all-star Olympic team of rock?
Jimmy Page , Keith Richards, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck: Guitar
Larry Graham, John Entwistle, Phil Lynott: Bass
John Bonham, Keith Moon, Tony Williams: Drums
Sly Stone: Vocals
If you released a 7" what would you put on the cover?
A ruler
What was the first/last album you bought on the day it was released?
Rush, Fly By Night - The Mars Volta, Frances the Mute
And finally...If Josh Schwartz, creator of the OC, asked your band to perform on his TV show (as Modest Mouse, the Killers and the Walkmen recently have) would you?
I doubt it.
The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex play at the Knitting Factory tonight, May 4th. Tickets still available here.
Listen to Loki Cat, featuring Billy Corgan on vocals. The cd, Life Begins Again, is available here.
Tagged
band interview
billy corgan
chicago
death
east coast
knitting
knitting factory
miles davis
Music
new york
people
Rob Dickinson
smashing pumpkins
steely dan
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain
Gothamist went behind the scenes to learn how the NYC landmark keeps its majestic waters flowing.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 23, 2026
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .