YouTube Star To Be The Next Drummer for the Smashing Pumpkins?

Most of you stopped following the Smashing Pumpkins in 1996, so I know you could care less about this. But I thought it was interesting. Jimmy Chamberlain -- the drumming genius who formed the backbone of the Pumpkin sound with frontman Billy Corgan -- recently left the "reunited" Pumpkins (translation: Corgan, Chamberlain and some hired guns). So the only original member left is ... drums please ... Billy Corgan. Corgan insists that he will continue to play under the banner of Smashing Pumpkins, even though it's essentially a solo project.

While the Pumpkins may seem destined for the faded glory circuit, I think Chamberlain's departure opens the door for an amazing new talent: Phil Mckenna. McKenna has built a following on YouTube with his Pumpkin drum covers, wacky antics (playing while covered in shaving cream, f.e.), and accessibility. It is not uncommon for a fan to request that he cover a song -- even an obscure b-side -- and then see Phil deliver the finished product. Phil is a technically skilled drummer who also understands what makes the Pumpkin sound special. In his own words:

"The Pumpkins have a feel about them that I really love. Not just in one song, the band as a whole has a very emotional, provoking way of getting to you. The energy from some of their stuff really can take your breath away sometimes. It's hard to sum it up, there's just something THERE, in the music that I can't find in any other band."

I've never been able to phrase it the right way, but I know what Phil is saying. It's the emotion in their music. I hear it in "Try Try Try," "Once Upon A Time," "Galapagos," "Thru the Eyes of Ruby" ... those moments that make your hair stand on end. And as much as I like many other bands, they just don't do it for me like the Pumpkins.

I've swapped some brief messages with Phil and he's really a great guy, instantly likeable. If there was a cloud of negativity hovering over Corgan during the 20th anniversary tour, surely a guy like Phil could help it dissipate. His enthusiasm and passion is infectious and there's no one who would be a better substitute for Jimmy. If the Pumpkins are having drummer tryouts, I don't see how this guy can lose.