The Smashing Pumpkins have shared more details about the upcoming 25th anniversary reissue of their 2000 albums, ‘Machina/The Machines of God’ and ‘Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music’.
The special 80-song vinyl box set, which will be the first time the two ‘Machina’ records have been reissued as a double album, will be available exclusively through frontman Billy Corgan’s Madame Zuzu’s tea shop in Highland Park, Illinois.
The set will feature all 48 tracks from the two ‘Machina’ albums, alongside 32 bonus tracks of demos, outtakes and live performances. The box set arrives on August 22, with pre-orders available here.
“It’s taken some 25 years to finally release ‘Machina’ as we in the band had hoped it would be, and with MadameZuzus.com as the only place one can get this expansive, 80-song collection, I personally could not be more proud,” Corgan said in a press release.
“’Machina’ was meant as our swan song, and it was truly a labour of love to bring it to fruition, however broken we were back then. But with the band about to embark on a global tour in 2025, as well as my solo tour with The Machines of God, this set stands as a celebration and testament of will, for the songs alone have helped James, Jimmy and I keep the faith.”
Earlier this year, The Smashing Pumpkins announced a huge upcoming show at London’s Gunnersbury Park, alongside a trio of other UK dates, all set to take place this August. The Gunnersbury Park show will also feature Skunk Anansie and White Lies as special guests.
Speaking about the Gunnersbury Park show to NME back in February, Corgan touched on how after “playing all these years, especially together”, the band “know how to handle those bigger moments”.
“I’m really proud that this particular line-up of the band knows how to rise to those occasions. Whereas when I was young, I would look at those gigs and almost feel intimidated,” he continued.
“Now, I look at those gigs and I want to rub my hands together because it’s so exciting. It’s a chance to create a one-of-a-kind moment in your life and the audience wants it. They want to see you at your peak and that pressure and feeling is magical when it works.”
Corgan also recently revealed which song by The Smashing Pumpkins that he wants played at his funeral. Aside from music from his band, the singer also chose ‘She Loves You’ by The Beatles, as well as ‘Wish You Were Here’ by Pink Floyd, ‘Fade To Black’ by Metallica and ‘Roar’ by Katy Perry.