Starchildren
# Starchildren

Starchildren was a side project of the Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan. From 1990 to 1994, the band played a few scattered live shows, each usually featuring a different lineup, with only Corgan having constant involvement. The band officially released two songs, "Delusions of Candor", an original composition by Corgan, and a cover of "Isolation" by Joy Division.

## History

First appearing in 1990 (then billed as Star Children), Corgan gave the band's motto as "Be repetitive for nuisance's sake." Little is known about the group's early incarnation, other than that they played at least two shows at the Cabaret Metro, with varying members including Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, Neil Jendon, Cliff Fox, and Kerry Brown (the latter three being members of the band Catherine).

In 1994, the band emerged with a more visible presence, playing a June 18 show that received coverage as an incognito Smashing Pumpkins gig, despite it being a traditional Starchildren performance. That nights show featured several tracks that would later make their way onto Smashing Pumpkins' releases. Songs performed included the Cure's "A Night Like This" and the James Iha-penned "The Boy", which were later released on The Aeroplane Flies High box set, as well as an early version of "Here Is No Why", from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.

Although Starchildren was already closely associated with the band Catherine due to the groups' frequently overlapping members, this association was taken to another level by the 1994 release of the split 7-inch vinyl record "Songs about Girls"/"Delusions of Candor". One side featured Catherine's "Songs about Girls", while the reverse had the Starchildren tune "Delusions of Candor". The latter featured Corgan's then-best friend, and Smashing Pumpkins' first manager and guitar technician, Bob English, on bass. This is the only original Starchildren composition released to date.

In 1995, the band's cover of Joy Division's "Isolation" appeared on the tribute album A Means to an End: The Music of Joy Division.

In January 2010, Corgan announced plans to start a new record label, which may release new material from Starchildren. As of 2020, no new material has materialized.

## Discography

* "Delusions of Candor" (1994)
* "Isolation" on A Means to an End: The Music of Joy Division (1995)

## Footnotes

* ↑ "Smashing Pumpkins." Chicago Tribune, 1990/09/07.
* ↑ Kot, Greg (June 15, 1994). "Smashing Pumpkins, Incognito". Chicago Tribune.
* ↑ "Starchildren". www.angelfire.com.
* ↑ "Smashing Pumpkins discography".
* ↑ "Billy Corgan Launches Record Label, Signs the Germs (!!!)". Pitchfork. January 7, 2010. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
