My Chemical Romance covered the Smashing Pumpkins’ classic “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” on July 19 at Oracle Park in San Francisco. The Smashing Pumpkins responded on Instagram, saying, “For any MCR fans who may have come here from the cover of ‘Bullet With Butterfly Wings’. Yes, Billy is equally proud of his sons :)”
The connection between these two bands runs deep. In 1996, a Smashing Pumpkins concert changed everything for MCR’s Gerard Way. He shared in a recent interview, “I started to think about almost everything differently after that night. I was like, ‘Man, I don’t think there’s maybe anything else I’d rather do in life than maybe do what they’re doing.’”
Gerard also talked about his friendship with Billy Corgan, saying, “He’s so smart, and he’s said so much to me over the years. When I moved to LA, he would go to vintage shops with me to try out amps.”
MCR is currently on their Long Live The Black Parade tour, celebrating 20 years since their 2006 album. Fans quickly bought 365,000 tickets, showing the band’s lasting appeal.
Both bands have new music coming soon. MCR is working on a special 21st-anniversary edition of Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge. Meanwhile, the Pumpkins are preparing a 25th-anniversary package for their 2000 albums, Machina/The Machines of God and Machina II.
MCR has added 2026 tour dates in Asia and Mexico. Their current shows feature exciting opening acts like Alice Cooper, Pixies, and Death Cab for Cutie.
The Smashing Pumpkins have a big show coming up at London’s Gunnersbury Park on August 10, with Skunk Anansie and White Lies opening the night. Tickets are available now.
