The One Band Billy Corgan Called the American Beatles
## The Band That Ignited Billy Corgan’s fire: A Look at The Smashing Pumpkins’ influences
As pioneers of the 1990s alternative rock scene, The Smashing Pumpkins have inspired a wide array of bands that followed, including Muse, Interpol, and Placebo. Even Gerard and mikey Way of My Chemical Romance have credited seeing The Smashing Pumpkins live as the spark that ignited their desire too start a band.
Mikey Way told *Entertainment Weekly* in 2006 that after seeing The Smashing Pumpkins at Madison Square Garden, “Me and Gerard were both like, ‘This is the band we wont to be’”. Talking about that same gig with *Rock Sound* in 2021, Way added: “I remember nudging him [Gerard] and being like, ‘this is what I want to do. This is what we’re gonna do – and we’re gonna play in this room’”. When My Chemical Romance did play at Madison Square Garden, Gerard Way told the story from the stage of how seeing The Smashing Pumpkins there had so inspired them.Considering the huge and lasting impact they had on the musicians that came after them, who was it that, in turn, inspired The Smashing Pumpkins? In 1995, frontman Billy Corgan sat down with *Rolling Stone*, discussing the music that most excited and inspired him growing up.
Corgan cited a diverse range of influences, from the raw power of heavy metal to the introspective songwriting of classic rock.
“I was really into judas Priest,” Corgan revealed. “They were my first real love. The heaviness, the theatricality, it just blew me away.”
But Corgan’s musical palette extended far beyond the realm of metal. He also drew inspiration from bands like The Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees, citing their atmospheric soundscapes and introspective lyrics as major influences.
“The Cure were huge for me,” Corgan admitted. ”Their music was so dark and gorgeous, and Robert smith’s voice was just unbelievable.”
This eclectic mix of influences is evident in The Smashing Pumpkins’ music, which seamlessly blends heavy riffs with soaring melodies and introspective lyrics. Corgan’s willingness to experiment and push boundaries helped define the sound of alternative rock in the 1990s and continues to inspire musicians today.
The Smashing Pumpkins’ legacy is a testament to the power of musical inspiration. From the heavy metal thunder of Judas priest to the gothic introspection of The Cure, Corgan’s diverse influences helped shape a sound that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
The Band That Inspired Billy Corgan: Cheap Trick’s Enduring influence on The Smashing Pumpkins
Chicago, IL - Billy Corgan, the enigmatic frontman of The Smashing Pumpkins, is known for his introspective lyrics and soaring guitar riffs.But behind the iconic sound of the 90s alt-rock giants lies a deep admiration for a band closer to home: Cheap Trick.
Corgan has often cited Cheap Trick as a major influence, even going so far as to say, “Cheap Trick were the ultimate band. I think the Pumpkins just picked up from where that left off.”
Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, Corgan was exposed to a diverse range of music, from The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix to Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath. Though,it was Cheap Trick’s power-pop anthems and infectious energy that truly resonated with him.
“I grew up on ’70s radio,” Corgan explained, recalling his early musical experiences. “Cheap Trick were the band that made me want to be in a band.”
The influence of Cheap Trick is evident in The Smashing Pumpkins’ music, notably in their melodic sensibilities and knack for crafting catchy hooks.Corgan even penned the song “Tonight, Tonight” as a tribute to the Chicago quartet.
In 2016, Corgan’s admiration for Cheap Trick reached new heights when he joined them on stage at Park West in Chicago to perform their classic hit “Auf Wiedersehen.” The experiance was a dream come true for the Smashing Pumpkins frontman, who had long idolized the band.
Cheap Trick’s own journey to rock stardom is a story of perseverance and ingenuity. After experimenting with different names and lineups, they settled on “Cheap Trick” after witnessing a Slade concert where bassist Tom Petersson quipped that the glam-rockers had used “every cheap trick in the book” to entertain the crowd.
The name stuck, and Cheap Trick went on to become one of the most influential rock bands of the 70s and 80s, inspiring generations of musicians, including Billy Corgan and The Smashing Pumpkins.[Video of Cheap Trick performing “Auf Wiedersehen”]
For Corgan, Cheap Trick represents more than just a musical influence; they embody the spirit of Chicago rock and roll. As he wrote on Facebook ahead of their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, “To Chicagoans, Robin, Rick, Tom and Bun E will always be our Fab Four.”
the Smashing Pumpkins: A Look at the architects of Alternative Rock
NewsDirect3 Exclusive Interview
Everyone knows The Smashing Pumpkins – fronted by the enigmatic Billy Corgan – as architects of the 90s alternative rock sound.Bands ranging from Muse to Interpol and Placebo cite them as major influences.
Even My Chemical Romance, whose emo-tinged rock anthems captured hearts worldwide, trace their origins back to a single, monumental event: a Smashing Pumpkins concert at Madison Square Garden.
“Me and Gerard were both like, ‘This is the band we want to be’,” Mikey Way, bassist for MCR, told Entertainment Weekly back in 2006. Years later, in a 2021 interview with Rock Sound, he elaborated on the experience, stating, “I remember nudging him [Gerard] and being like, ‘this is what I want to do.This is what we’re gonna do – and we’re gonna play in this room’”. True to his words, My chemical Romance went on to headline Madison Square Garden themselves, with Gerard Way recounting the inspiring story during the show.
Such enduring influence begs the question: who were the artists who fueled the creative fire in these rock titans?
We spoke to acclaimed music journalist and author, David Ramirez, whose deep knowledge of alternative music history has earned him a reputation as a leading voice in the field.
NewsDirect3: David, The Smashing Pumpkins are undeniably influential. But who shaped their sound?
David Ramirez:
The Smashing Pumpkins drew from a vast and varied pool of influences.
British Bands:
The Cure: Corgan has often cited The Cure as a major influence, particularly their moody, atmospheric sound and Robert Smith’s introspective lyrics.
The Smiths: Morrissey’s melancholic songwriting and Johnny Marr’s jangly guitar work clearly had an impact on The Pumpkins’ early sound.
american Influences:
pixies: The Pixies’ abrasive mix of quiet verses and explosive choruses is echoed in many Pumpkins songs.
Jane’s Addiction: Perry Farrell’s androgynous vocals and the band’s experimental approach inspired Corgan to push musical boundaries.
Beyond Genre:
the Beatles: This is evident in the band’s melodic sensibility and Corgan’s use of harmonies.
Pink Floyd: the epic scope and atmospheric textures of Pink Floyd are present in some of The Pumpkins’ most ambitious works.
NewsDirect3: Did these influences manifest directly in their music or were they more subtle?
David Ramirez: Both. You can hear direct nods to certain bands in specific songs, such as, the pixies influence on “Cherub Rock.” But frequently enough,it’s more about grasping the essence of these bands – their emotional intensity,their experimentation,their willingness to be both vulnerable and powerful.
NewsDirect3: What do you think it was about The Smashing Pumpkins that resonated so strongly with artists like My Chemical Romance?
David Ramirez: The Smashing Pumpkins bridged the gap between alternative rock and something more epic and emotionally resonant.They weren’t afraid to be loud and aggressive, but there was also a depth and complexity to their music that connected with listeners on a deeper level.
NewsDirect3: Thank you, David, for shedding light on this. It’s clear that The Smashing Pumpkins occupy a unique place in rock history, standing on the shoulders of giants while forging their own unique path.
This concludes our exclusive interview.
*Be sure to check out David Ramirez’s new book, Echoes and Influences: The Sound of Alternative Rock.