Billy Corgan: Smashing Pumpkins Reunion Interview | It's Electric! | Apple Music

It’s Electric! host Lars Ulrich chats with Billy Corgan about the Smashing Pumpkins reunion, recording with Rick Rubin and Metallica’s influence. Listen to Smashing Pumpkins on Apple Music: apple.co/-SmashingPumpkinsYT
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#BillyCorgan #SmashingPumpkins #AppleMusic

[@coffeecomics3583]

People forget. Listen to Siamese Dream over coffee on a Saturday morning. With no distractions. He is a genius.

[@DaPoopIsInDaPudding]

Coffee & Comics that one is good but all the others suck.

[@hairbrushmicrophone9130]

Nah. Listen to Siamese Dream in a car ride in the rain after leaving your girlfriends house after she broke up with you...

[@cass2303]

Listen to their new music. And create new experiences. Even better

[@Content_to_suffer]

cass xo SD MCIS and Gish could be completely new to some people

[@JayInDecent]

Siamese Dream has an incredible sound it blew me away when I first heard it when it came out and to this day I can still listen to it and it's like nothing else out there one of my top favorite albums of all time

[@TheDentist27]

Lars is somehow the best interviewer of musicians out there

[@Stereotype23]

Probably because he is such a music fan and knows the industry from within. The guy followed Motorhead around on tour in the early days just shows the passion he has for that stuff.

[@Hairyparrot]

try Nikki Sixx's interviews.... great guest great interviewer

[@ryanjohnson9838]

I mean, this is one of the best interviews I've ever seen

[@sebprovision]

I have become much more of a fan of Lars seeing him do these interviews. He's a cool dude, man.

[@rlcsheldon]

I think is because a big part of the guys he interviews idolize him or Metallica, anyone who plays heavy or rock music in these days have to pay credit to them, even if its only in a showbiz perspective.

[@Ozz77765]

Lars is a listener, which makes a good interviewer.

[@howardweingard43]

Unlike Howard Stern... a lousy interviewer

[@sparkyhughes131]

Its because he is accomplished himself nothing to prove and he is genuinely a fan of many of his guests.

[@kidgiven]

I absolutely love how Lars doesn't ask the usual questions. He gets to the core. I also like how he asks the "mechanical" questions. Like..."do you go write in a room, is there a particular cup of tea?". These are questions i want to know.

[@richardmajor9349]

Kyle Crouch I loved the interview, but I am the same was surprised by lars. He just knows how good it Is to be in a band

[@ThatEvilProduction]

Kyle Crouch like how this guy said^ Lars has inside knowledge and thus is able to background check all these stories on the spot

[@lanne71]

Being a musician helps, past conversations.

[@The_Doug124]

Kyle Crouch Well said, Lars has an absurd amount of raw talent as a podcaster/interviewer, and gets the questions us true, hardcore music fans want to know; the side stories, the nostalgia and reflection. Just two true, proven and timeless musicians talking heavy music.

[@flyinggondolaproductions]

Shawn Evans feels very much the same way. Having Lars on The Hot Ones would probably be an amazing series of discussing

[@taraschumacker]

Jimmy Chamberlin is a king among drummers.

[@papanolongerplays4133]

Jimmy is a BEAST. He's my favourite drummer ever. Billy can come up with odd tunes but somehow, Jimmy can find a drum beat to accompany it.

[@pedrobarnez5502]

long live jc

[@greenmatrix30seven]

Easily 1 of the best drummers ever. He is just...woah.

[@MultiMikey81]

Yeah he is the best in every aspect

[@GlupiDecko]

Man, Lars has some serious interviewing skills! Loved this!

[@markmcnamara608]

He (Lars) listens because he’s genuinely interested in what Billy is saying because he has been in the music business. It’s two people talking about a shared passion. Not really an interview. But yes, he’s a good interviewer.

[@monkeysezbegood]

And why his drumming in Metallica legendary.... people expect technical expert metronome but Lars listen to the songs... and fits in.

[@TheRagingBlizzard]

25 years of listening to Pumpkins interviews, and this might be the best I've ever heard. I love hearing the inside knowledge of the songwriting process.

[@johnnynitross]

Thomas. Toys. Cars. Videos The Joe Rogan interview is also amazing!!!

[@Hell_Inc]

indeed. the Joe Rogan podcast is even better imo

[@alexandereckert5184]

Thomas. Toys. Cars. Videos somehow thats always missing in interviews maybe being a musician yourself is a right of passage for access like this

[@PatrickTK21]

This is the first interview I've heard where Billy goes into depth about why he considers Jimmy to be great. I've also listened to tons of interview footage over the years. It may just be because Lars is also a drummer, but cheers to him for bringing out this kind of candid response.

[@bro-bh5kj]

Its great to hear Billy mention what the other members of SP bring to the table, I always thought he thought he was The Smashing Pumpkins

[@mojopin2000]

"Metal was telling me me about a world more closely aligned with the world I was living, than the one I was being told about". Perfect.

[@thewedge8823]

Wish Kurt never died... I could see him today coming on this show and talking to Lars, being super chill... dropping all kinds of knowledge. imagine how cool that would be

[@cicknave]

he ded?

[@thewedge8823]

some say he is.. some say he is now the lead singer of weezer in disguise

[@bmx3347]

Let it go, he's gone. Perhaps, look to new artists who are still living!

[@thewedge8823]

what new artists?? rock is dead!! let alone rock stars... there are no rockstars today

[@MasterYodaBiotch]

The Wedge boo hoo

[@siddhant717]

Billy has made some of the best music the world has ever known.

[@FiniteRich]

siddhant some may some some of their songs are perfect :)

[@MrBooklearn]

This is deep stuff. Just give me the first Machina, and I'm satisfied.

[@TheAlibabatree]

Searcher Joe Machina is the most underrated album of all time.

[@fageskata5219]

@@MrBooklearn I thought I was the only one who holds machina to the same regard as Siamese Gish Mellon...with GATGC, Blue Skies, This Time, Stand Inside, I of, um...hello, WITH EVERY LIGHT!? It is definitely less magical and fantastic than Mellon Collie was but it would have gotten so old to stay in that "aesthetic," and so what machina did was keep the quality but seriously matured in theme and because of that, it did in sound and as I was years and years older, I needed that maturing along with me or it would have seemed like a marketing scheme to me to stick with the old and I would have lost respect. So it was a perfect transition and it was awesome.

[@maniswil2]

Wow, Lars is an extremely EXTREMELY good interviewer. I'm kind of blown away.

[@bealotcoolerifyoudid7217]

I know right

[@JohnnyRei]

This was an amazing interview. I could listen to Billy talk for days.

[@claytuckett1830]

Agreed

[@DareBear2099]

JohnnyReiTV can literally be listen to Lars and Billy talk all day

[@salemshepard6883]

Watch Corgans interview with Joe Rogan. Its about 2hrs long I think.

[@MrBeen992]

you must be a very boring person

[@steve4321able]

Billy is a Brilliant musician and artist.

[@henrythegreatamerican8136]

I have a new found respect for Corgan after watching numerous interviews. He has a lot of psychological insights and discusses them very well. If he weren't a musician, he'd make a good psych counselor :-)

[@xxandrewwilsonxxable]

He's a extremely smart dude

[@jbasti227]

Corgan is one of the greatest songwriters I've ever heard. I always love hearing his insight on his creative process.

[@dzaijn]

Lars does killer interviews.

[@augenmaugen]

Wow, I am blown away at how good of an interviewer Lars is! He obviously did his homework but most importantly, he LISTENS and leaves plenty of room for the interviewee to SPEAK!!! So many interviewers get that terribly wrong.

[@j.d.r.5491]

Wow, just wow... I always thought of Billy as a plain egocentric person, but I felt otherwise... Just a guy who tries to do the best he can and it's not ashamed of saying what he thinks. Awesome interview, Lars is really talented in that area also. Greetings from Colombia.

[@kayranm3755]

Juan Diego Rincón agreed! The way billy talked about his bandmates styles in songwriting and the way they ser music was such a class act. Greetings from brazil

[@INTOTHEFOLD]

Who would had guessed that Lars is a great interviewer? Really cool.

[@emokiller907]

Internal Dilemma dude can talk always has been this way, he’s a great interviewer because he has great communication skills and is expressive and insightful, that’s his strength he also has a deep curiosity in a lot of things, perfect job for him more so than drumming haha jk

[@tedlogan5628]

I appreciate that fact that two musicians/artists who have performed at the highest levels can sit back and reflect on their experiences, but don’t act like they have everything figured out. The both seem genuinely interested in what each other have to say, and not simply waiting for their turn to talk or steer the narrative...

[@cairubika2939]

This is a great in depth interview. Done well by Lars, and kudos to Corgan for being so frank and not holding back.

[@vincentemanuele1671]

This podcast is phenomenal. Thanks, Lars.

[@nuke97]

Lars is killing it with these interviews. All of them are great. This one too.

[@lavoz88]

Corgan is such a music industry insider, so much insight, so much rebellion and even resentment. respect.

[@marvinshenk]

I was just like Billy with a cassette tape with Metallica on one side and The Smiths on the other while I was driving for Domino's pizza. Or The Pixies on one side and The Cure on the other. Or Wu Tang Clan on one side and Depeche Mode on the other. I love great music and the genre means little to me if it's a great song.

[@GyroLamb]

It's surprisingly and strangely tough to find people who just listen to whatever they think is great. Especially young people. I like how Lars says his son listens to whatever, but I think he's a rare case. I can't find many people outside the internet that listen to whatever they think is great. People box themselves for a bizarre reason.

[@glumOr]

"Good music is good music and that should be enough for anybody" Bradley Nowell

[@deadstar44]

Yeah, I remember my old cassettes going from The Police to Metallica to U2 then Pumpkins to Will Smith then Dire Straits LOL.

[@jesnyc146]

deadstar44 you lost me at Will Smith

[@j_freed]

marvinshenk - it's true, all genres are good but the Eighties still ruined a lot of good music with excess reverb, keyboards and really harsh-sounding mixes. Over-treated album production with no soul. And I'm a fan of Def Leppard Pyromania and some Cars albums, so gimmicky production doesn't have to suck, it can be cool.

[@kayranm3755]

Thats gotta be the best interview ever. the way Billy described the metallica concert hr went to almost made me cry. Those guys love music so much

[@josephblessin573]

Lars is magic as an interviewer. He conjures up the very best of those he interviews. I have goosebumps too!!!!

[@ronniepooch]

I just saw the Pumpkins during the Oh So Bright tour, They were fantastic, and never sounded better. I think Billy Corgan is one of the greatest writer/song writers of our time, period. Right up there with Prince. His writing is like Poetry, he can also play many instruments. He's also one of the most underrated guitar players. His type of talent doesn't come around often. Maybe once every 40 years.

[@ricardobarandiaran7457]

Lars is really shinning here, every interview is relaxed, relatable and funny.

[@richspizzaparty]

Billy is 2/2 as his Joe Rogan interview is great as well. He’s really grown over the years.

[@whatdothlife4660]

i don't even think it's Billy growing, rather, us listening.

[@endocry]

I remember Billy as always being straightforward, honest, and articulate.

[@juanca84perales]

I can’t wait to watch The Smashing Pumpkins live this summer!!

[@ItsSheridan]

Juan Recinos where at?

[@juanca84perales]

Sheridan Garcia Kansas City

[@tarb8572]

Juan Recinos me to in Chicago

[@rjohnson494]

getting Ready Cant Wait

[@nicholasmarch3286]

how were they? i'm planning to see them at a music festival this summer in illinois... i know it wont be anything like 93-95 era (which i wasnt old enough to see them then) but im hoping they still sound somewhat good

[@natas333x2]

"I will play Black Sabbath 'til the day I die". Best quote ever!

[@marcuschandler426]

I want to play The Wizard on drums lol

[@TheJimmyikki]

I love it, this was a Billy's interview way different than the others, is nice to see not only his influences, but how it influenced all along. And he is right, I listen to Sabbah and Metallica AND Pumpkins, and I don't see me stop listening... Thanks both of you

[@hilaryferreira5365]

Thank you for this fascinating interview! I'm getting so pumped to see Smashing Pumpkins reunited in August!!

[@16326]

Lars is such a great host. He actually listens and lets the guest answer questions unlike Howard Stern interrupting every three seconds.

[@katharinagrube8747]

Best interview so far of "It's Electric"! I could listen to you for hours. Thank you guys for inspiring from back then up to today! I can't wait for the new music to come out.

[@markmedka1342]

This....this was pure magic! Wauw, almost got tears in my eyes! Corgan and Ulrich, you guys are AWESOME!!! Thank you🤘🙏

[@WesHauchAlluvial]

This is awesome. Thank you.

[@chrisgreen1904]

Great interview Lars. Everyone of your interviews are inciteful with enormous depth. Thank you

[@ChrisvonChamier]

Lars is a kind and gracious host. Amazing interview with billy. What great insight to him as a true artist! Bravo!

[@ci0ci0san]

Interesting and illluminating. Looking forward to seeing the tour this year.

[@mattkolinski9935]

Incredible interview, Lars. Thank you.

[@1zoebelle]

What an mesmerizing interview. Billy is great story teller. Loved this so much!

[@johnedwardryder5545]

Goosebumps

[@TheRuVedicChannel]

Thank God for Iha. It's what Zeitgeist was missing; Although 8 new songs is only a appetizer - Bring it!! Thanks Lars.

[@nebulous8389]

Ru Vedic I disagree I think it was also billy's state of mind of trying so hard to reject the past listen to Stellar and Ma belle if you haven't incredible songs that weren't even on the album from the zeitgeist era. And Oceania was incredible! Billy was less restrained and let flow but i do believe Iha is definiterly a great moral compass for Billy

[@TheRuVedicChannel]

Nebulous Yeh I understand. We'll see how the next Ep is then we have a proper understanding of just how much Iha shapes the music of the Pumpkins.

[@nebulous8389]

Ru Vedic I think it'll only benefit him but i think billy is in a really good head space because he is allowing the music to flow more now instead of trying to reject the past, one and all from monuments was one of the best pumpkins songs he has release since he came back with the pumpkins name he said he just let it write itself

[@TheRuVedicChannel]

I agree. I just listened to 'monunemts' again for the 1st time in ages. You're right, but honestly after a few listens to anything without Jimmy and Iha - The Pumpkins really isn't The Pumpkins without that drum groove and guitar feel/tone. I'm really hoping Solara just nails it - alike a Bitter sweet french kiss on a cold night by a black jaguar while floating in space.

[@nebulous8389]

Ru Vedic I understand what you mean that iconic sound that they pumpkins had from their prime it has to do with billy's progressive musical ambition to not recap, but we all have our opinions have you listened to Oceania? Regardless its a great album!

[@nofam]

This is just the best. As an SP fan since the Gish days, hearing Billy talk so openly about the process fills in so many gaps for me about how they created, and it's so great hearing him realise and appreciate things with the benefit of age/hindsight. A lesson for us all!

[@kingleonidas9672]

Two legends talking about the process. I could listen to them all day long.

[@quantiquefilms]

I think I'm about to become a fan of this show. Lars knows music and always been a fan of many different genres. You can see he's genuinely interested and knows his stuff too. As for Billy, interesting artist as always...

[@fountgarde]

So glad Billy is as comfortable as he is in these interviews. They're pretty amazing. Incredible insight into the goings on behind the scenes, and I'm happier having watched it.

[@kevinworth7739]

Best interview absolutely. Thank you very much

[@simonbarr9476]

Its great how he gives due credit to the other musicians - even D'Arcy. Thats pretty impressive considering the ego monster that Billy became back in the day. Its also great how well he sums up the hypocrisy of hipster culture.

[@timvanboening9432]

That was a good interview. I truly enjoyed hearing Lars talking to Billy. Lars is a good interviewer, asks interesting technical questions that aren’t just generic and contrite. I am EXCITED for the Pumpkins show this summer! I’m even more excited that there’ll be more music than Solara!! Woo woo!!!

[@Yahoo886]

Thank you for this interview...I love the pumpkins. All the original band members were so interesting and talented. It’s nice to see them communicating again. 😎

[@blinddog1212]

Except for D'arcy, of course.

[@sepulmattica7649]

Lars is great at this…I wish he did more. Billy Corgan is notorious for being a bad interview, he hates dumb questions. At first he seemed a little shut down, but Lars got Billy talking more than I’ve ever seen, and it’s really awesome once he’s comfortable enough to just let it fly! Really awesome interview!!!

[@TheHSIHP]

Great interview. Both bands played at huge part of my life at different times. Metallica in the 80s and SP in the 90s.

[@horrifyingcat]

that's so true and so similar to mine as well

[@adriane7841]

This was the best podcast I didn't realize I had to watch

[@shplog2]

Never thought this day would come, along with Lars interviewing Maynard but this is a great format. THANKS!

[@C1schecter101]

such a brilliant interview one of the best

[@rickyrockard]

Thank-you so much for this interview. You ask the questions we pumpkins fans actually want to know the answers to - musical process and insight to the band in terms of the music.

[@lexremillard2549]

amazing please keep it coming!

[@Kamperkyle99]

This is a very articulated interview of all the things I wanted to hear. Great minds put into motion makes for information that most of us fans look forward to. Putting into perspective the ideas and actions that most of us could only fathom. Is so gratifying. I've been a fan for both and can only thank and appreciate what information that's giving. Im so intrigued of the knoladge you two have presented. Looking forward to more convos and opinions and facts that the rest of us working class supporters can only dream of.

[@scrappyhappydo]

this was an awesome interview love to you guys!!!!

[@crazedzealots]

Yeah that really was amazing. It's great to hear Billy tell Lars how important Metallica was to his life and how important Metallica was to the world.

[@joeblackwolf17]

Lars Killing it with these interviews! damn a good interviewer. let his guests talk and just listen.

[@jamonkytee425]

keep letting lars interview other rock n roll stars. please. i need

[@carsonchambers14]

so pumped for the tour

[@rickivenezuela]

Lars has always been open to and inquisitive about different kinds of art. Plus, he has the experience of knowing every aspect of how a record is made, from it's inception, to putting it out into the world and all the different jobs that make that happen. Insightful cat. Makes for a great interviewer.

[@BD-xn2dp]

Now that was great! Super intelligent, fun reminiscing & real. Very enjoyably.

[@MartinMcGrathiv]

Great interview! Real people talking about what they love. It was really genuine.

[@flowerinkproject]

Thanks for this beautiful interview! 💪

[@adwmann]

2 of my favorite bands in one interview! Mind blown!

[@OurFutureLeaders]

This interview is so damn good. They have this incredible energy and intensity between them

[@kenzopo8125]

This is such a Great interview! I've always Loved Billy for his candidness and his ability to articulate his thoughts with such a Powerful, Literal Poetry.

[@anthonyaguero2261]

What an amazing interview! Keep these interviews going...

[@RRPBJJ]

bumped into Billy outside Harry Careys in 2005. He was the coolest. His handler kept trying to get him inside (they were blowing up the Bartman ball) and he kept telling her no that he wanted to sign autographs and take pics. Cool midwest guy....

[@jamesascher8147]

that was dope Lars, thanks Billy for being Billy. so much inspiration

[@musicandcoffee2853]

I’m glad Billy has got back to working with James some. Jimmy is a monster on the drums. They all had such a great chemistry together. Back in the day I used to run a record store and I had the chance to hang with these guys on and off and just talking with them was such a good time.

[@021942292]

That was so good, thank you 🙏

[@jerknorris2483]

I feel honoured listening I couldn't sum up the words to thank both billy n lars

[@BlueMonk25]

Loving this series with Lars...so many great interview so far!

[@davidcurtis4478]

Really enjoyed this interview, very in depth and loved hearing the process and stories. Lars is the guy I want to meat most. Anyone asks me "If there's anyone you want to meet?" my answer is always Lars. Saw Smashing Pumpkins in early 90's in Manchester England and was an awesome concert. I remember coming out soaked from sweat and it was freezing outside and waited on a friend to come pick us up. It was an awesome concert

[@gavynkeck9702]

His albums have helped me immensely through so many dark times in my life❤️

[@jackbriz99]

Driving back home from Las Vegas to Louisville, Kentucky listening to this as I drive I realize and proceed to thank God for giving us people like Billy Corgan and Lars Ulrich. It’s so amazing the journey that they’ve gone through and are still going through and they can articulate so well to us how important it is and how much it means. Thank you guys.

[@LuisFonseca1]

I can't stop feeling amazed of how good of an interviewer Lars is. Once again, great job!

[@TheDans7300]

Outstanding interview way to go Lars

[@Arlaat]

Watched this interiew so many times before, Love these guys.

[@alukuhito]

Thanks for the talk!

[@cereal4u]

Lars is really good on how he asks questions. He’s not like a fanboy getting intimidated on how he questions artists. Very natural...

[@damon6852]

I wish this interview lasted 4 hours!! Just amazing to hear Lars and Billy!!

[@jorgemello780]

I have never watched an interview in which Billy seemed to feel so comfortable to speak. You can hear in his voice a sort of reverence when he speaks about Metallica

[@leesaunders1930]

man I love this, absolutely refreshing. both lars and Billy are so open, lars in the term of questioning and billy in answering. very different to what we are used to seeing. absolutely brilliant I could watch these casts for hours.... but i have children lmao. keep up the great work lars and thanks billy for the direct insight into the whole pumpkins songwriting methods. 👍🤟👍

[@smilsmff]

first started hearing Pumpkins, I was like Blown away, this is great along with the Drumming style, after the success of Melon Choly the radio stations went back to playing older music AS USUAL

[@chriscromelin413]

Lars is a really great interviewer. I've never really been a fan of Billy Corgan but this is a great interview! Just 2 dudes geeking out on music. Even talking about the band dynamic. It's all interesting.

[@mlrdmn]

Thanks for the new interview!!! Can't wait for the record!!!!

[@jasonmcmillan4373]

Really good to see a comment section below full of people appreciating this mans genius, his openness, his intelligence. Normally on any Corgan video you just scroll down to see 'pretentious' this, 'douche bag' that. I just have to add, I love hearing Billy talk about Jimmy as a musician. Jimmy is the consummate musician, one of the greatest drummers ever.

[@thecthonian4976]

Lars asked questions that made Billy think and that made people want to listen to the answers.... and Billy is so articulate and able the think on his feet that it stayed interesting even with the minutia. What a great interview. I like listening to the both of them talk even if a lot of others don't.

[@davidmurphy8364]

Absolutely awesome interview.

[@Formelyknownasnone]

One of the best interviews / discussions between real artists I have ever seen.

[@MrRamyon74]

That interview was sick!! so good!!

[@misslindacjones2392]

FANTASTIC interview...point counterpoint......looking forward to the new music definetly......

[@JasonMcNamara]

That was fantastic. For those of you who wanted more, there were some 2 to 3 minute clips floating around various platforms a couple of weeks ago including where Billy talked about the genius of Kurt Cobain and how Kurt's songs were not written by accident. And there was something on Lars' Instagram account as well.