Expert: Kyle Kackster - 3/26/2003

Question
How did the band decide on calling themselves the smashing pumpkins?  Does it have a special meaning?

Answer

It's a tale of Billy Corgan's earlier notes! He used the name 'Smashing Pumpkins' as an example of his not-so-real rock band when he was most likely around 16 or 17 years old.
At around 19 years old, after leaving The Marked, Corgan used the name for his next project with guitarist James Iha. Later on in the Pumpkins' career Billy says it [the name] was a joke.