Lower Than Atlantis, Normally Strange
I went with K! to do a guest review of a Smashing Pumpkins gig in Manchester a few years back, which was the first time I’d ever seen them live. They were incredible, even if it wasn’t the ‘classic’ line-up. I was supposed to do an interview with Billy afterwards, but the day before he said he wasn’t able to do it, and I was a bit gutted. Maybe it’s for the best: I’ve embarrassed myself in front of Mark Hoppus from blink-182, and I’ve embarrassed myself in front of Dave Grohl – and I imagine Billy wouldn’t be as lenient as those two. I’d like to meet him briefly, shake his hand and tell him how much he’s influenced me. I’ve seen the band live since, in Australia, where it was so loud our guitar tech had to leave, even though he had earplugs in.
Smashing Pumpkins are definitely in the top three in terms of having the biggest influence on me. They’re a band that makes pop songs essentially, but some of them are fucking evil. One of my favourite songs of all time is Try, Try, Try, from the album Machina. It’s the one I’d recommend to anyone starting out listening to the Pumpkins now – and you’ve got to watch the video too, because it will make you cry.