Smashing Pumpkins members Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin recently discussed the “Rhinocerous” music video in new Instagram posts, and Corgan revealed the live footage in the video is from a concert the Pumpkins played with Nirvana and Hole.
Billy Corgan wrote on Instagram, “‘Rhinoceros’, our 2nd single off Gish (1991) has originally been recorded in 1989 (see Ignoffo Demos), and though the album version is nearly identical, we were certainly at a loss for what the video should be like. My idea being we should play in a claustrophobic red room. But when we showed up for the shoot, the set was monstrous, hence our looking bored and bewildered as to what to do? I was so displeased with an early edit (of the red room footage) that we took an 8mm camera into Hyde Park in London and shot more ‘dumb stuff’. Which 27 or so years later remains my favorite footage from this, and I can only wonder if there are any outtakes to find, or film in a can somewhere, forgotten.
Another note (I just remember). The Live footage during the solo was shot at the London Underground club, at a gig that saw Hole, Nirvana, My Bloody Valentine, Love and Rockets, and I believe Swervedriver in the house. Needless to say, we played our best for such esteemed company.”
Jimmy Chamberlin wrote on Instagram, “SP in London for this one. They cut us loose in Hyde Park with a 16mm camera to shoot b roll for the video – also a rare JC cameo on guitar. I think this might have been our first time across the pond as they say but surely wouldn’t be our last. #london remains one of my favorite places to hang and play and even thought about moving there at one point. I’m still amazed at the clarity of this record. Still some of the best drum sounds and they still hold up today. #smartstudio #butchvig @smashingpumpkins.”
