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.]