Billy Corgan admits struggle on a guitar technique mastered by Kiki Wong, a feat he finds impossible to accomplish without cheating.
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In the latest issue 595 of a renowned music magazine available on Magazines Direct, Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins shares his thoughts on the unique sound and playing style of Kiki Wong, a guitarist who was handpicked to join the band.
Wong's authenticity and down-to-earth demeanor were key factors that set her apart from other applicants, but it's her exceptional mastery of all downstrokes that truly sets her apart. This technique, notably associated with metal players like James Hetfield and Kerry King, emphasizes a consistent, aggressive attack on the strings, producing a distinct, powerful rhythmic drive.
Corgan admires Wong's fluency in this demanding downstroke method, but contrasts it with his need to "cheat" it. Wong's ability to sustain this technique was a key factor in her standing out during the Smashing Pumpkins audition.
Corgan's own style, while incorporating this downstroke approach, is unique in its combination with his songwriting and the distinctive "Machines of God" era guitar techniques he developed. Corgan appreciates that Wong's playing is authentically herself without imitation, which makes her style not just technically unique but artistically distinct.
Regarding improvisation, while the search results do not explicitly dissect their improvisational styles, Corgan's approach historically involves meticulous crafting and layering of guitar parts, often weaving complex melodic and sonic textures that define the Pumpkins’ sound. Wong's improvisation likely integrates her metal-influenced aggression and precision, as evidenced by electrifying live performances on social media.
During their first tour together, Wong was impressed by Corgan's shredding skills, while Corgan remembers being surprised at how well Wong played during her audition. The audition took place on a day where the schedule was set up for multiple auditions, with Wong being the first to perform. After her audition, nobody who followed her could beat her performance.
Corgan had a conversation with Johnny Ramone about the importance of downstrokes in guitar playing, and he believes that Wong's skills on the guitar are beyond his abilities. Despite the competitive landscape of auditions, Wong was handpicked by Corgan and the Smashing Pumpkins to join the band, out of more than 10,000 applicants.
Corgan and Wong have improvisational moments during their performances, and their playing styles reflect woodshedding technique versus layered composition and individual artistic expression. Wong was also impressed by Corgan's ability to read Jimmy Chamberlin's body language well, having played together for over 35 years.
In summary, Kiki Wong's pure all downstroke technique on the guitar sets a high technical bar even for seasoned guitarists like Billy Corgan. Corgan integrates downstrokes but is known for his layered, textured playing style and songwriting with the Smashing Pumpkins, acknowledging Wong’s superior technical downstroke ability. Wong’s playing stands out for being authentically her own rather than imitative, bringing fresh energy and precision, especially in high-intensity settings.
The exceptional downstroke technique displayed by Kiki Wong, as noted by Billy Corgan, is often associated with metal players, such as James Hetfield and Kerry King, and it played a crucial role in Wong being chosen to join the Smashing Pumpkins. During their performances, Wong's improvisation integrates her metal-influenced aggression and precision, showcasing a unique blend of downstroke mastery and personal artistic expression.
