Ahead of the release of Smashing Pumpkins‘ latest record Oceania, the band’s current drummer, Mike Byrne, caught up with Music Radar to open up about working with Billy Corgan and creating the new record.
“The band as a whole worked on that on a creative level… Billy and I have been making music since I got hired. We’re working on the overarching project ‘Teargarden by Keildyscope’, which is the free 44-song deal. I’d never been in a real professional studio so I had to learn the tricks of the trade and make it sound articulate like [former drummer] Jimmy [Chamberlin] was capable of doing”, Byrne said.
“I’ll be honest, there were moments I was banging my head against the wall…but I think the overall feel of the album benefits from it. I enjoyed having freedom and pocket on the record, it’s got a Zep-vibe in that way”, he said.
Oceania is the first Smashing Pumpkin’s record to feature Byrne on the drums and bassist Nicole Fiorentino, who both joined the band after 2007 Pumpkins’ album Zeitgeist.
The Smashing Pumpkins are one of the main attractions at this year’s Splendour in the Grass and will also be performing a series of sideshows. However, as Music Feeds reported, Corgan has cautioned fans not to expect too many of their classic hits from the 90s.
“Fans think you’re there to be a jukebox… My job is not to be an oldies act or what they call it over here, a nostalgic act. Sometimes I run my mouth and I shouldn’t. I should just smile like everyone would suggest that I do, but there just comes a point when it’s really a disservice to the legacy of the band”, Corgan said.
Oceania Album Cover
Oceania Tracklisting (according to Rolling Stone)
Quasar
Panopticon
The Celestials
Violet Rays
My Love Is Winter
One Diamond, One Heart
Pinwheels
Oceania
Pale Horse
The Chimera
Glissandra
Inkless
Wildflower
