About This Footage
In the pantheon of alternative rock bands, few have left as indelible a mark as The Smashing Pumpkins. Formed in 1988 by Billy Corgan and James Iha, the band's early work was marked by a raw, post-punk energy that would evolve into the sweeping, atmospheric soundscapes that defined their later output. And yet, amidst the sea of iconic Pumpkins tracks – "Today," "Bullet with Butterfly Wings," "Disarm" – one video stands out as a testament to the band's innovative spirit: "Thirty-Three."
Directed by Corgan and his then-girlfriend Yelena Yemchuk, this 1995 music video for the song of the same name is a stop-motion masterpiece. Shot in high-contrast black-and-white, the images are at once haunting and beautiful, conjuring a sense of melancholy that perfectly captures the song's themes of loss and longing. What makes "Thirty-Three" truly remarkable, however, is its connection to the band's magnum opus: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
Released in 1995 to widespread critical acclaim, Mellon Collie was a sprawling double album that saw The Smashing Pumpkins pushing the boundaries of what was possible on a rock record. With "Thirty-Three," Corgan and Yemchuk created a visual companion piece that not only reflected the song's themes but also served as a re-enactment of the album cover itself. It's a bold, artistic statement that underscores the band's commitment to pushing the medium.
But what makes this video truly rare is its connection to another iconic American rock band: R.E.M. Yelena Yemchuk, who directed "Thirty-Three," was also a photographer and artist who had previously worked with R.E.M. on several projects, including their 1992 album Automatic for the People. Her experience and sensibility are evident in every frame of the video, which shares a similar atmospheric, dreamlike quality with many of R.E.M.'s most beloved songs.
In watching "Thirty-Three," viewers will be struck by the video's innovative use of stop-motion and its haunting beauty. They'll also gain insight into The Smashing Pumpkins' creative process and their willingness to experiment and push boundaries. And, perhaps most importantly, they'll experience a small but significant piece of rock history – a testament to the power of art and music to transcend time and touch our souls.
As we watch "Thirty-Three" today, it's easy to forget that this was a band still in its early prime, just beginning to explore the possibilities of their sound. But what's clear is that The Smashing Pumpkins were always driven by a desire to create something new, something bold – and "Thirty-Three" remains one of the most remarkable examples of that spirit.
The video ends with a re-enactment of the Mellon Collie album cover: Billy Corgan standing alone on a desolate beach, surrounded by nothing but sand and sea. It's a powerful image, one that captures the sense of isolation and longing that defines so much of The Smashing Pumpkins' work. And as we watch it fade to black, we're left with a haunting question: what other secrets lie hidden in the band's archives, waiting to be uncovered?
Curated from public records and music databases.
