SMASHING PUMPKINS Debuts New Song At Chicago Concert; Video Available

SMASHING PUMPKINS debuted a brand new song, "Blessed Mother", during a benefit concert this past Tuesday, July 27 at Chicago's Metro to raise money for medical care for Matthew Leone, bassist for Chicago band MADINA LAKE. According to Spinner, SMASHING PUMPKINS frontman Billy Corgan "blanked on the lyrics, saying the tune was usually reserved for their sound checks. Stalling, he started to take requests from the audience while a stagehand brought out a lyric sheet and placed it on a staff before him. He joked about being unprofessional but then continued the song without a hitch."

Fan-filmed video footage of the "Blessed Mother" performance can be viewed below.

Last month, Matthew Leone was hospitalized with severe brain trauma after intervening to stop a woman he passed on the street from being beaten by her husband. Matthew had left twin brother Nathan's Chicago apartment to meet a friend at a bar a few blocks away when he walked past the man beating his wife on the 1300th block of Ohio St. Even though the attacker was twice his size, Matthew immediately intervened and managed to subdue the attacker but as he waited for police to arrive, the attacker suddenly turned on Matthew, beating him severely. He then walked away with his wife, leaving Matthew unconscious on the street. Matthew was taken to UIC Hospital for emergency brain surgery wherein a third of his skull was removed to alleviate swelling. He's currently in stable condition awaiting an additional brain surgery to reapply the removed portion of his skull. The suspect is currently charged with aggravated battery causing serious bodily harm and out on bail pending a forthcoming hearing.

As a musician, Matthew spends most of his life on tour and unfortunately his medical insurance had lapsed just two months prior to the incident. Friends of the band and the Chicago music community are rallying to help provide for Matthew's medical needs.