“I had big shoes to fill, but I knew I had a lot to offer on my own. I think Billy Corgan saw that in me”: From Veruca Salt to the Smashing Pumpkins and Garbage, Nicole Fiorentino has become alt-rock's go-to bassist

Nicole Fiorentino.

After honing her craft with Veruca Salt, Nicole Fiorentino proved herself as a member of the Smashing Pumpkins, replacing Ginger Pooley for an underrated era that included Teargarden by Kaleidyscope and Oceania.

Fiorentino left in 2014 and went on to form Cold and Lovely and Bizou, while also opening a pet-sitting business in Los Angeles. After a period of downtime, Fiorentino joined Louise Post’s touring band in 2023. Recently, it was announced she’d be replacing Pooley once more – this time as part of Garbage’s touring band.