The Smashing Pumpkins - Rocket

What this video is

Released in December 1994 as the fourth and final single from Siamese Dream, 'Rocket' arrived at the apex of the Smashing Pumpkins' commercial and critical ascent. The Siamese Dream singles cycle — 'Cherub Rock,' 'Today,' 'Disarm,' and 'Rocket' — each paired with a visually distinct video, collectively positioned the band as among the most ambitious visual artists of the MTV era. The video's retro-futurist,…

Why it matters

A key artifact of 1990s alternative rock's MTV golden age, 'Rocket' demonstrates how major-label budgets enabled art-directed, narrative-driven videos that transcended promotional function. The Dayton/Faris direction bridges the gap between the era's lo-fi indie aesthetic and the polished,…

The director

Husband-and-wife directing team who met at UCLA. They launched their careers helming the groundbreaking MTV documentary series The Cutting Edge before becoming preeminent music video directors for The Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M., Oasis,…