Billy Corgan and a brand new lineup took over the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Oct. 12, as The Smashing Pumpkins returned to San Francisco for the first time since 2007.

The alternative band is famous for suffering breakups, drama, and lineup changes. Combined with founder and lead singer Corgan’s frequent bouts with depression, the future of The Smashing Pumpkins looked shaky for a while.

Consisting of Jeff Shroeder on guitar, Nicole Fiorentino on bass, and Mike Bryne on drums, the Pumpkins put on a nostalgic performance with new songs from their latest album “Oceania.”

The concert was outstanding; the audience consisted of old school fans that grew up watching real music videos by good bands on MTV.

Corgan and Shroeder peppered the concert with frequent guitar battles. It’s one of those things that can only be enjoyed at live performances and was a nice touch.

A giant globe backdrop depicted a video-map of mesmerizing sea animals and vaguely sexual scenes as Corgan and crew rocked out to a sellout crowd.

It also helped that “Oceania” is the best Pumpkins album since “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.”
The 13-track album featured solid singles such as “The Celestials” and “Panoptican” and was described by Corgan as “an album within an album.”

The band performed the entire album, ending with classic hits such as “Tonight, Tonight” to the roaring approval of the crowd.

“Time is never time at all. You can never ever leave without leaving a piece of youth.”