From 2012-2018 I had the privilege of freelancing with the (now defunct) newspaper AM New York. AM NY was the free newspaper you would pick up in the subways in New York City and it’s circulation (over 500k printed daily) and mothership (Newsday) gave it the kind of weight publicists looked for to promote their famous clients via interviews, reviews etc. Typically, if a larger band’s front man was looking to promote a solo record, AM NY would get first dibs.
Enter: Smashing Pumpkins front man Billy Corgan.
In 2017, he was out promoting his latest solo record Ogilala but also openly teasing a reunion with his original band mates (which in turn would become the album Shiny and Oh So Bright Vol 1 in 2018).
I was lucky enough to be granted an interview with the alt-rock legend where we talked about everything from the early years with the band, his solo career, the time he saw a lizard person (yes!), to teasing the reunion of the original Smashing Pumpkins lineup and even his love for old school Marvel comics of the 70s and 80s.
I know Billy had/s a certain reputation amongst critics, but to date, this is one of my favorite interviews I have ever done and Billy was an absolute pleasure to talk to and interview. So, click away and enjoy the interview.