Age Doesn't Matter To Billy Corgan
Billy Corgan has hired a new drummer for The Smashing Pumpkins and the kid's just 19-years-old.
Mike Byrne sent Corgan a demo tape of his drumming capabilities when the band made it known online that they were looking for a new drummer last Spring.
Billy was reportedly blown away by Byrne's talents and put the Portland, OR native on a plane to Los Angeles for a live audition! Byrne revealed, "We didn't actually play songs at the audition. We just kinda jammed for about 15 minutes and then talked about Fugazi for the other 15 or so minutes."
Apparently, Mike's been playing drums since the age of 11 and has been a member of numerous local indie bands in Portland, but playing with the Pumpkins is a "dream come true."
Corgan says Byrne "seemed to have that X-factor that all the great drummers have," and the SP singer is anxious to begin work on the new Pumpkins album because he believes "in [his] heart he will push [him] to be a better musician."
Byrne will be playing a slew of solo shows with Corgan during his upcoming club tour before the young musician heads into the studio to work on recording the new Smashing Pumpkins album.
So, so awesome! And what a lucky break. But even more surprisingly, did U know The Smashing Pumpkins still had fans?
[Image via WENN.]
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way to go kid!
Yeah since I'm one of the fans!
yes….they've always been a good band. well i'm still a fan.
I always liked the Smashing Pumpkins but to be honest lately it feels like anyhthing but Smashing Pumpkins, it could be any other band with Billy Corgan leading (and good music). Anyway kudos for the drummer
they haven't had a hit in 20 years…but as long as he's having fun!
More fans than all the crappy acts on your crummy tour - Perezsite's Big Adventure - put together.
Well of course they still have fans!
Perez, you need to cut the snark, your fans represent a large variety of people who like all different genres of music, movies, fashion, etc. Just because you're not a fan doesn't mean others aren't. Turd.
I LOVE THE SMASHING PUMPKINS !!! THEY´RE AWSOME !!
.
i went to one of their concerts and i was amazed with billy´s personality, he can fill the full stage by himself…. so for the rest of the band, he just has to focus on what´s really important, the music capabilities !
They have more fans than you, Perez.
Perez's talent is making fun of people who actually have talent. LMFAO.
Hey, I'm a fan!
Perez you are fucking lame and your musical taste is ghey. Smashing Pumpkins is the funkk. Recognize.
What the hell is he wearing?
Thank God for Billy C.
um, you better not talk about fans at this time perez. With your up-coming 'the hottest acts in the planet' tour, WATCH YOUR WORDS. BTW the smashing pumpkins where one of the biggest bands back in the 90s.
go to hell, perez.
SP will forever be the most amazing band on earth! they rock harder than all bearded bands put together!!!! I am a HUGGGE fan and this news delights me! go Billy!!
I went to high school and middle school with him. haha
they haven't been good since '95
I love the Smashing Pumpkins. Who the f is Perez Hilton?
pumpkins rock.. cant wait for their next album..
Yes Perez the Smashing Pumpkins still have fans and I happen to be one of them circa 97 baby get it right.
hah. the smashing pumpkins have some of the most loyal, devoted, and longtime fans of any band out there.
i should know, since i have been a loyal, devoted SP fan for over 10 years.
SP takes up about 25% of the 250 songs on my iPod, and there are still more songs i want to add.
so, please do kindly shove that snotty comment up your arse, my dear perez.
Whoa mama….now that skirt must have taken at least 15 rolls of tin foil to construct.
Smashing Pumpkins are an amazing band. I am, and will always be, an avid fan!
Keep on rockin' on.
uh wtf do u mean you didnt know they had fans? are u retarded
GHOSTHUNTERS new show tonight on SYFY 9pm eastern
Wow I had to create an account just to say, of course The Smashing Pumpkins still have fans!!!!! =)
I love them, the last cd was not what i was hopeing but lets keep trying…
how friggin awesome for that kid. he will have a blast, good for him… just be smart with your $$!
Yep, another fan…and yeah…their last hit was not 20 yrs ago!
I was a huge Pumpkin fan and look forward to a return. Beats the hell out the mindless crap Perez promotes…
Re: RebbyMeow –
LOL me too!
Re: iluvselenagomezsomuch – This coming from the 'tween' who's name reads 'i luv selena gomez so much'. HA! Were you even born in the 90's? Go back to listening to your teeny bob music.
Smashing Pumpkins: awesome. Always will be.
I'm a big fan of 15 years
Love Billy he is awesomely talented!
of course they still have fans… and I'm one of them!! Sooooo looking forward to the new album
….I do miss the old SP's though…. not sure if they can be replaced fully…
Best to the new drummer!!
Fugazi. Loved them…they were so good live.
Uh, the Pumpkins are awesome.
Ok, well, maybe not so much in the last couple years, but I still listen to them! I have "Rotten Apples" in my car right now!
Who is Perez Hilton!!!!!
I remember the first time I ever heard the band… it was at a club…and I froze to listen. I ran out the next day and bought their first album….they have a style and sound that has never been emulated…. Billy's vocals are one of a kind and their lyrics and sound ROCK…. true artists.
No matter how much crap they will make in the future, I will always love them with my entire heart and soul, the best band ever, and Billy writes the most amazing lyrics there is.
Re: sleezy*e –
Thank you! I agree.
Re: Amirra – im thinking that tween is more like 45….
Can't wait to hear the new stuff… lucky break!
I just would like everyone to know Mike is a great guy. We met him several years ago when he and my boyfriend competed in a drum off at a local Guitar Center. He is really talented and deserves this! He has really good style and I am stoked to see him get to this level at the age of 19. He will make some great history in the drumming industry.:)
I really think Perez Hilton will be hardly giving a shit if we talk trash, but… Also!… think of this… He must have a lot of people in LA and wherever acknowledging he's annoying and talentless, and a slimy creep. So with that said… PLEASE LEAVE SMASHING PUMPKINS out of your mindless endeavors for attention, Perry Hilton, Or peres Hilton or whatever you call yourself there fashion cakes.
" But even more surprisingly, did U know The Smashing Pumpkins still had fans?"
i think this question is a cause of shallowness - no offense (for once), but (maybe i'm too old, i'm as old as perez) - the "modern" music won't do it to me. lady gaga? wow, go away - madonnas newest hits - what? all these rappers - i have never even heard one song by kanyee - i jut know him because you people like to write stuff about him - it's not about music genres - one is able to like good made music of all genres - but i feel that the music is nowadays soulless - it's just crap produced to make money.
so here's your answer: i may be called one of those who still care about the smashing pumpkins - good musicians will never fade.
Fucking right they have fans. Beats the shit playing nowadays.
Long time fan… love to see them live anytime I get the chance
billy corgan sounds like big bird
people who dig rock kinda of keep tabs of a band they are into. sine you listen to disposable shit music made for people with a short attention span. you and the people like you would not get being into a band. you are into flavour of the month
I still adore them.
Even though Billy Corgan is a giant dickhead egotist, Smashing Pumpkins will remain one of the legendary bands of the twentieth century..forever. They are epic and always will be.
I thought he died of a heroin overdose.
Oh well.
they have more fans than you do, perez. nice blow though
i adore billy corgan so so much
I've been a huge Pumpkin fan for 14 years. Think anyone will remember you in 14 years, Perez?
Perezsite is just a musical butt sniffer. No devotion, no attention span, just whatever fart is flavour of the month he is sure to inhale. Really, for all his self-proclaimed musical expertise, he is quite vapid. He takes his digs at Smashing Pumpkins, U2, etc. because he has no knowledge of or appreciation for any genre other than what pre-teens listen to or is played in gay discos.
perez i just hate you sometimes.
do the smashing pumpkins still have fans? yes.
i know for a fact you have the worst musical taste of anyone on this planet.
Smashing Pumpkins will always have fans.
Congratulations to the new drummer. Looking forward to the new album.
is that a pleated tinfoil skirt?
what the fuck is wrong with him?
He's ready for his close up.
He's ready for his dirt nap\.
paved the way for all the whiny EMO bands to follow
If I meet a pumpkins fan, I think, okay what's your emotional problem?
let the whiny comment begin!
I wish my lawn was EMO….
I've been a fan for something like fifteen years, now! What the fuck, Perez?!?
YES they still have fans! im a fan!
I love SP and Billy so much, I ended up with a husband that plays guitar and who looks just like him- LOL!
SP are one of the greatest so obviously they have fans!
Love the Smashing Pumpkins!
I love smashing pumpkins and it hasnt been 20 years idiot.
I'm sorry, Perez. I've loved you forever, but sometimes the things you write make my eyes bleed. Do you intentionally spew out ignorant shit just to get a rise out of people? Of course they still have fans. The Pumpkins are one of the greatest bands of all time. Lyrically and musically, they're incomparable to anyone else. If your head wasn't so far up GaGa's ass (no offense to my Lady G… I love her too), you could actually spend your days building people up rather than tearing them down and promoting talented people that make a real and decent contribution to this world.
Perez, many of us have stuck with this bands thru its evolution and changes because of Billy's vision of music as art, not just what is marketable.
Is very cool of them to play a show to an audience of only 60 (august 28th) and they just added Dave Navarro to that show.
of course they still have fans!! can't wait to hear their new stuff.
Placebo also got themselves a young drummer, nothing wrong with some fresh blood!
perez:
they have an army of fans !!!
you have an army of people who hates you !!!
you see the difference between you and them ????
Well he hired a homophobic bassist who play's with him now named "Ginger", I was disapointed when I heard that news. I knew Ginger briefly and wasn't impressed with her Highly Christian Views that discriminated against gay's like myself. Not to mention her to cool for school attitude! She is very christian such a good person, Oh Yeah! Can't be a pumkin fan any more they were great along time ago.
I'm a HUGE pumpkins fan. Perez, you wouldn't know good music if it came up to you and sucked your dick.
Billy Corgan 4 Ever!
hey perez, i'm one of those smashing pumpkins fans you were referring to!
I can't believe I created a profile on whatever the hell this site is just to leave a comment. I'll be honest Perez Hilton. I have no clue who the hell you are, but I've known of SP for nearly twenty years now. And they've been a great band the entire time.
Re: Supa – proper english its too cool for school you jealous cut.
I don't approve of Corgan or The Smashing Pumpkins, but it's good to see that Fugazi – history's greatest band – was being discussed. Word.
Trent did it first with Ilan. Where the fuck is Jimmy Chamberlain? He was the only pumpkin with lasting talent.
YAY THAT IS 1 LUCKY KID I
THEY HAVE A HELLOFA LOT MORE FANS THAN YOU DO FUCKTARD! JEALOUS MUCH?
Re: Supa – Who cares about gay talk it's yesterday (along with that saying I'll agree) fuck, nobody wants to hear to homosexuals wine anymore, it's ok… you're accepted and what would be best is if people would shut the hell up about their sexuality, it doesn't matter, who cares… screw off!!!!
If Billy Corgan turned Perez Hilton on he'd name him a work of pure genius, what a loser! no taste in what's real or really great! but ain't that just Hollywood for ya! they feed of children and hate it when you call them queer!
Re: ksutton – OOps my bad on the spelling. Yea not jealous, I have a very happy life! Just didn't like finding out that some one I thought was great had such a closed mind on gay's. Its all good!
No War!
Re: ThisName – Well Us "Gays" would not have to be quiet if this country was equal. Was Martin Luther King Jr. quiet? Was Rosa Parks Quiet? How about Susan B. Anthony? These were all people that fought against inequallity. I take it you are straight, white and possibly male, and do not have any experience on being discriminated against. How would you like to hide who you are and who you are everywhere you go due to persecution? That is what it is like to be gay in this country! This country is still dealing with the inequality issue and until it pulls it's head out of its ass and treats its citizens as equals no matter the race, sex, age, religion, national orgin, sexuality and creed, then people will be able to live in freedom! So until we are equal I will not be quiet!
MAN,billy looks like such a creeper these days….
I can't wait to see this kid bang it out. Jimmy will be a tough act to follow! I'm a HUGE Pumpkin's fan - Billy Corgan has talent beyond anyone I've ever seen on stage… Can't wait for more - even though I'll miss Jimmy!
Music is ageless Perez….. Beatles, Elvis, etc…..
Erm… if they didn't have fans then why the hell would you post this on your blog?? o_O
Actually, if you stepped away from the superficial shit you're always writing about, you may actually be aware of the fact that YES, people are capable of liking good music!
Let's see: who is more likely to be remembered? Katy Perry or… Smashing Pumpkins? Yeah, the one who helped to shape a musical genre and define a time in music.
DOOMED —- well said: "Perez's talent is making fun of people who actually have talent. LMFAO."
Re: Supa – Shut up already.
Re: kacy005 –
Hell yes, Trent did — nice catch. Love SP & saw them last "reunited" tour! Amazing.