“I didn’t know Corgan, but I knew he wasn’t the easiest person to work with. I thought, ‘This isn’t going to last but it’ll be interesting’”: Jane’s Addiction’s Eric Avery on his brief stint with the Smashing Pumpkins and what he learned from Billy Corgan

Left-Bass player Eric Avery of the band's Garbage and Janes Addiction performs onstage during KROQ's Weenie Roast at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre on May 14, 2016 in Irvine, California; Right-Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins performs at Lucca Summer Festival on July 06, 2024 in Lucca, Italy.

Jane's Addiction bassist Eric Avery has never been one to shy away from musical projects. During his long absence from the band he helped co-found, he joined Garbage and Alanis Morissette's backing band, and even auditioned for Metallica.

However, Avery points to his brief brush with the Smashing Pumpkins, specifically Billy Corgan, as a core experience that made him a better musician.