The group was known for their experimental take on the genre, and for the struggle which ensued between them and their label over creative control. This is one thing that seemingly scarred the musicians, Tulin included, for a very long time.
Mr. Tulin was more recently associated with alt-rock band, The Smashing Pumpkins. Having met Corgan while he was recording music with the now-departed Sky Saxon (The Seeds), he soon commenced recording demoes with the Pumpkins for their (then) upcoming release, "Teargarden by Kaleidyscope." In addition, Mark Tulin joined Billy on tour for his Sky Saxon tribute band, Spirits In The Sky during July & August of 2009. Also, he was seen playing bass for a charity performance with Corgan & friends under the moniker, Backwards Clock Society.
The Prunes' bassist is credited for contributing bass guitar on the first 4-track volume of "Teargarden by Kaleidyscope," entitled "Songs For A Sailor." Other appearances included the only 2 Smashing Pumpkins performances to ever feature a male bassist. The Record Store Day show on 4/17/10 featured Mark Tulin on bass. When the band performed "Widow Wake My Mind" from the newly released EP on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, he was also added to the live line-up. According to Billy, Mark made good friends with current drummer, Mike Byrne. 40+ years his senior, and he treated him as if they were on the same level. What a guy...he will be missed.
Now, in relation to Mr. Mark Tulin, Billy Corgan has mixed and finalized two new Smashing Pumpkins songs for release. All we wait on is his announcement of when & how. The format of "Teargarden by Kaleidyscope" may be changing, or at least the method of release could. A big announcement for the New Year is expected soon, but please respect the fact that Corgan is clearly upset about the loss of his friend, and rightfully so. Producer & friend of the band, Kerry Brown, updated his blog with a tribute to Tulin:
Ain't No Sleep When You're Living The Dream
A beautifully drawn tribute, indeed.
A track called "Zen Baby" has been described within the post, which had been mixed just days before Tulin's collapse. Originally intended for use by The Electric Prunes, Billy opted to keep it for the Pumpkins & flesh it out. Whether or not this track will be one of the next two Smashing Pumpkins songs released is open to speculation, but we do know it is a factor. Seeing as it is connected to Tulin in a way, it might just serve as a tribute of sorts from Billy & The Pumpkins. Here is the only known recording of this track in-full, derived from one of the bands' soundchecks from their tour this past summer.
Sounds good, that is for sure. More energetic than anything the band has put out in a while. Fans attending the soundchecks have reported how much better it sounded live. Looking forward to it. This studio video was recently put up on the band's facebook, and if you listen close to the lyrics and chord changes, it is the same song. In acoustic/demo form no doubt. Supposedly filmed this past Monday. "Zen Baby!"
