🎸 When Generations Collide: Yungblud & The Smashing Pumpkins Make Rock History
In early 2026, something remarkable happened in the world of rock music — Yungblud (Dominic Harrison), one of the most dynamic voices of modern alternative rock, and The Smashing Pumpkins, veterans of the 90s alt-rock revolution, released a collaboration that shocked and excited fans on both sides of the spectrum. Rolling Stone UK
🧠Two Generations, One Rock Heart
At first glance, Yungblud and The Smashing Pumpkins seem like unlikely collaborators. Yungblud, a British singer-songwriter born in the late 90s, built his early reputation on genre-blending pop punk and emotional anthems that spoke directly to Gen Z listeners. The Smashing Pumpkins — led by Billy Corgan — helped define the 90s alt-rock sound with albums like Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. But behind those differences lies a powerful mutual respect and shared emotional DNA in their music. NME
Corgan has frequently praised Yungblud’s artistry, calling him an inspiring voice in modern rock with an undeniable passion and creative vision. In interviews, Billy has said his admiration goes beyond mere fan affection — he genuinely sees Yungblud as one of the exciting young talents carrying forward rock’s emotional intensity. Guitar World
🎤 How the Collaboration Came Together
The actual spark for their collab began in 2025 at Black Sabbath’s farewell concert, Back to the Beginning. Both Yungblud and Corgan performed tribute pieces at the show — a moment that solidified their mutual respect and planted the seed for future creative work. Rolling Stone UK
Later that year, Yungblud reached out to Corgan directly with an idea: to reimagine one of his most personal songs, “Zombie,” with The Smashing Pumpkins’ signature sound. Originally released on Yungblud’s fourth album Idols, the track was already Grammy-nominated for Best Rock Song. 93X
What followed was a historic moment: the first time in The Smashing Pumpkins’ 30-year career that they featured on another artist’s recording. 93X
🔥 The New “Zombie” — Old School Meets New Fire
The reimagined version of “Zombie” is something more than just a remix — it’s a full-fledged artistic fusion. Yungblud’s lyrics and raw emotional charge pair with Billy Corgan’s iconic guitar style and deeper alt-rock weight, resulting in a track that feels both timeless and urgent. Rolling Stone UK
Both artists have described the collaboration as deeply personal. Yungblud has spoken openly about how Siamese Dream was a formative influence while he was writing Idols, which made working with the band that inspired him all the more meaningful. Meanwhile, Corgan has praised Yungblud’s “zig-zag voice” and luminous star quality, saying it was a joy to apply that voice to a heavier, more urgent version of the song. NME
The official music video — shot in Chicago, The Pumpkins’ hometown — mirrors the song’s emotional depth, with stark visuals and dramatic performances from both acts. mxdwn Music
🧩 What This Means for Rock
Beyond the music itself, this collaboration represents something bigger for the rock genre. It’s a passing of the torch moment — not in a cliché way, but as a real artistic bridge between eras. Yungblud has often talked about his love for classic rock and heavy guitars, and working with The Smashing Pumpkins validates his position not just as a pop-leaning alternative artist, but as someone rooted in rock tradition. Rolling Stone UK
For The Smashing Pumpkins, participating in this collaboration underscores their willingness to evolve and stay relevant while still honoring the sonic foundations that made them icons. It’s proof that rock’s past and present aren’t at odds — they can enhance each other. 93X
🎶 A New Chapter
As Yungblud rolls deeper into 2026 with a sold-out tour and ongoing Grammy buzz, and The Smashing Pumpkins continue shaping their legacy, their collaboration on “Zombie” will likely go down as one of the most intriguing rock partnerships of the decade — a reminder that great music often happens when artists from different generations trust each other’s vision and take creative risks. 93X
