Nicole Q&A on Facebook - 2011-02-21
Nicole Fiorentino

http://bystarlight.org/interviews/nicole-fiorentino-qa-on-facebook-2011/
(lookup on archive.org)

On February 21st 2011, Nicole Fiorentino answered fan questions on her Facebook account. She went over 5000 friends a few months ago so that particular account does not exist anymore.

What are your favorite Adore songs?
My fave adore songs: to sheila, daphne descends, ava adore (cuz when we play it live it's all about me, haha!), behold the nightmare, blank page

And Gish?

fave gish songs: siva, rhinocerous, tristessa, snail, i am one

How much could be hard to play 'Rhinoceros', for example, with a drummer who continues to do annoying drum rolls like Mike, without accelerating the song?

why in the world would you post insulting comments on the personal page of someone who plays in a band you claim to be a fan of? i don't get people like you. i mean to each his own, but i personally don't get off being a negative nancy. that's just me.

Is loveless one of your favorite stuck in the car in traffic records to BLAST or what??

agreed david. no i have not personally played snail with the band, unfortunately. would love to! and loveless slays my heart everytime, in a good way.

Hey that's bullshit. But hell whose the dumb one asking for a request. Talking crap! Damn kids!

i mean i'm used to it. everyone is allowed to have an opinion, that's why i won't delete his comments. i just don't get the point of being negative is all.

Why? Because I'm a fan of a band which never was a "real" band, in the classic meaning, neither in the 90s! I'm just trying to get a "musician chat"… but I'm glad to see that you don't reply just to fans who licks your a**…

fair enough. again, we've all got our opinions.

Mellon Collie stuff will forever be the soundtrack to my high school years. It's a beautiful thing to remember.

dont even get me started on mellon collie. just DREAMY. love, 33, porcelina, by starlight, muzzle, in the arms of sleep, stumbeleine, tonight tonight, zero. need i say more?

Make Billy play Bury Me and we will love you forever Nicole!

i can suggest, i can bat my eyelashes, but i can't MAKE billy do anything. ; )

What songs from the SP catalog that you have not played live yet would you like to play the most. And, Say Billy said 'For your birthday, I am letting you put our set list together.' What would you choose?

songs i haven't played and would love to: 33, luna, daphne descends, i am one, love, porcelina, quiet, mayonaise, with every light, muzzle, bodies, soma…i mean i could go on but it would take awhile!

Ok what about Machina and Machina II songs? what are your faves from those?

i really love heavy metal, sacred and profane, with every light

What is your favorite played so far off Teargarden?

as for released TBK songs, my faves are astral planes, tom tom, freak, fellowship. i have some fave TBK's that haven't been released too, but you'll have to be patient on that info!

You definitely are in one of the best bands, you are very fortunate to have that opportunity and experience. But your talent is what got you there as well!

thanks pamela! i really am grateful for my job. and its a really good fit, we're kind of a dream team the 4 of us, regardless of what some people may think. ; )

Nicole, Do You love to Billy?

i really do, he's a great friend of mine and i learn so much from him musically.

Nicole – Have you ever thought of eventually fronting your own band? Do you write frequently? And how's Louise doing? Any chance of Veruca Salt coming back any time soon?

i've never actually fronted my own band. i've been in many bands and written with many people, but honestly i have no desire to be a frontperson. louise is great, shes in mommy land! i don't think VS is done and if i have free time and louise wants to play music with me again i would. but right now SP is full time

Nicole, I always like to ask this of my favorite musicians… what was your first performance/concert like? What kind of music was it, how did it go?

my first show was with my high school punk band sweet 16. at a record store in westfield, ma. i think 5 people were there including my dad. i played drums for a few songs too!

How long have you been playing bass? Has being in the SP challenged you even more with your playing style? SP create some pretty amazing music! Not music that you hear everyday on the radio, but really thought provoking, intelligent music. I would love to meet you all someday, have waited many years. Tried last time but wasn't allowed in : ( but loved being at the show!! Can you please say hello to Billy and the rest of the band to for me, I love you all, and appreciate your music very very much, SP music has helped me a lot in the past, and I will always continue to listen to SP! Thank you again Nicole, is nice talking to you : )

i've been playing since i was 14. SP has challenged me more than any band i've ever played in. especially in the respect that i am writing my own parts for the new songs. lots of pressure there!

Who was your absolute favorite punk band as a kid?

i loved rancid, bikini kill, lunachicks, dead kennedies. i was into poppier punk. i liked lots of local massachusetts band too, where i'm from

Do you have a preference between playing larger venues versus smaller, perhaps more "intimate" clubs and places?

it's really intense to play in front of thousands of people at a festival, but there's something about intimate venues that you can't get with the large crowds. eye contact for example. i'm really big on that

A few times in the past, other band members have taken over the lead vocal duties. You have a very nice singing voice… if the band wanted you to, and there was a song that asked for a female lead voice, is that something you would be interested in doing? any plans of one?

i would love to sing lead on an SP song, there hasn't been an opportunity but if it came up i would give it a shot

Is there any discussion in a break in format and releasing a full album CD?

we like to keep you on your toes

What band were you in in high school? I used to go to a lot of the Western Mass local shows in high school

sweet 16. used to play pearl st all the time. and flywheel

How do you feel about the younger generation of fans taking interest in SP? And what's your favourite song to play?

i am so thrilled to see younger faces in the audience. it's like they get to experience their own version of SP. pretty exciting that they're not just hearing old songs rehashed. we love the old school fans too! aside from mike byrne, we're no spring chickens in this camp!

What has been your favorite song to play? What are your wishes for the future as the band continues to grow together, record more, etc…?

i love ava adore, fellowship, by starlight, tristessa, cherub, hummer, astral, stand inside your love, many others, i hope to continue making music with billy that is just as epic, dark, beautiful and magical as you all expect it to be.

Who or what are your main musical inspirations?

the cure, pj harvey, siousxie sioux, my bloody valentine, joy division, fleetwood mac

What are your three favorite Pumpkins songs?

luna, 33, mayonaise. so many more than 3 though

How much fun is it to play "Gossamer"?

gossamer rocks my world

Hey Nicole, interested in knowing what gear you have personally been using on the recent songs?

my 78 fender P, billy's fender jazz (63 i think) and a thunderbird. reeves head and ampeg cab. also my touring rig mesa titan head and mesa cab

Hi Nicole. I can imagine that traveling extensively can be an amazing experience for the soul, but is it hard to remain grounded and creative in that situation?

it really can be. it takes a little getting used to and its not for everyone. i can see why people snap under the pressure. but i try to step back and remember why it is i do this. i adore music.

Any SP songs that you would like to play live that you haven't yet?

lots: 33, luna, mayonaise, with every light, muzzle, bodies, quiet

Do u compose any type of music?

i was co-writer in several of the bands i've played with in the past. i write my own bass parts in SP and have progressively been contributing more and more as time passes. like i said to someone else, i can't MAKE billy corgan do anything. ; )

Do you ever feel like you need to just step back for a minute and say "damn. I'm in SP?"

many many times, usually when i'm on stage!

Can you comment on any new instruments involved in the recording process? Stand up Bass??

dijeridoo. haha i don't think tha'ts how you spell it. ; )

i don't think anyone is going to change the setlist but billy himself. he writes them before a show. or so i've heard.

the band helps out

Are the upcoming songs similar to what has been shown so far, or is it going in a new direction musically?

definitely a fresh vibe . i'm really excited about it

Hi Nicole, do you see yourself becoming involved in writing the lyrics of new SP songs?

doubtful but billy is very open to our ideas so you never know

What's your favourite bass to play right now?

the new fender jazz we just got, but we have a 6 string coming that i'm really looking forward to!

How are you feeling today Nicole?

i'm feeling chatty. : )

How much of the new material is pre-written (via Billy or whoever) and how much of it is created via a jam or just rockin out?

for the most part whole band

What is your favorite candy? I want to know, so that if i ever get to meet you i can give you some!

chocolate covered pretzels, not really a candy though is it?

Dear Nicole: Which are the best memories of your participation in Veruca Salt?

writing with louise for VS IV. shes such a gem to work with

Favorite Bass player? if you could be in any historic band (not currently playing live or recording) what band would it be?

fave bass player simon gallup from the cure

Had you ever been to a Pumpkins show before you joined the band?

shockingly the only time i saw SP was when they played amoeba record store with mark tulin on bass last year, right before i joined the band!

I was at a studio and recorded bass on saturday, and I was wondering if you double layer and pan your bass tracks to different sides? i'm always wanting to hear different techniques. any thing unusual you do at the studio when prepping or recording?

i have panned the bass before in a recording but not with sp. i've been experimenting a lot more with pedals and such, since billy's such a pedal freak!

What's the most fun SP song to play?

united states is a blast

What do you think about chemtrails?

i don't think about chemtrails

What pedals have you been having the most fun with? Using any fuzz?

chorus and delay, fuzz is always fun too

How do you and the others come up with the songs? I know Billy must have a huge part in it, but is it mostly planned out (like, "Okay, this is what we should do, go for this vibe, etc.), or does it come spontaneously/from a lot of jam sessions?

it's a little bit of both. really depends on the circumstance

What's your favorite Muppet?

hypno the blond chick and beaker

Nicole, Do you like South America? And what is your favorite country?

i am in love with south america. my grandfather is from lima peru

What women in music inspired you in your younger years?

joan jett, go gos, bangles, madonna, bikini kill, stevie nicks, 7 year bitch, L7, veruca salt, lunachicks, etc

Before you go on tour do you rehearse a predetermined number of songs that you eventually choose from for each show, or are you supposed to know every SP tune there is and just roll with whatever the setlist turns out to be?

we figure it out at rehearsal, and change it up while were out on tour sometimes. he never said learn the entire catalogue, but i do know most of it at this point

I met the Lunachicks one time and got their autographs! They opened up for The Offspring in Springfield, MO.

my old band in high school opened for lunachicks!

What modern day bands do you like? i think the silversun pickups sound a lot like 90′s SP!

i love silversun, brian is a good friend of mine and i've been going to their shows since they were playing in friends backyards in LA

Not really a question, but Nicole you gotta know: you give bass-wielding girls a lot of hope the world over. thanks for doing what you do ?

kelly! thanks so much! that means a lot to me. ; )

What do you think the hardest SP song to play bass to is?

i had trouble with simpler songs like today and 1979. onlty because the bass is so basic that i just space out! and billy's changes can be hard to follow. hes tricky that way

Nicole, What is your video music favorite of SP? And Is there video music in the future for Teargarden?

1979 was always a good one, not sure about video for us in the near future but i know billy wants to explore all media

Nicole, will you force Mike to add me?

yes

Hello Nicole. Do you think, actually (in this days) that is possible to create an album as important as it was the Siamese Dream?

i do think its possible absolutely.

You mentioned chorus/delay/distortion, any special ones stand out, or is it an all you can play buffet of pedals?

i've been using the line 6 m 13

What's Mike doing here? He can talk to you anytime.

i guess he loves me.

Have you ever seen the archives? SP vault?

i've seen a lot of SP related vaulty type things

Nicole, what do you think about teargarden by kaleidoscope, is it better than other works of SP?

i am really attached teargarden. obviously since i am involved in it. but i do think it holds its own (especially the upcoming songs) with billy's archive

Can you speak in spanish?

i took spanish in high school but i am really out of practice!

What was your first bass?

fender jazz white on white. (93 i think) it got stolen. i was devastated. ok love you guys! thanks again!