Billy: "It sounds like Rick Derringer-era Johnny Winter, like the "Rock 'n' Roll, Hoochie Koo" days. I'm really into his Robert Johnson stuff, that whole trip, like the song "Dallas" from his first album. And there's a really beautiful song called "Cheap Tequila" [Still Alive And Well]. I love that song! The tribute song is mostly an instrumental, and then every once in a while I go [screams in a Johnny Winter voice], "Oh yeah!!!" You have to hear it; I wonder how many people will get the reference.
Guitar School: Why don't you record something with Johnny, or have him play with you live?
Billy: Oh, god. I'd be so intimidated by a pure guitar player like him. I'm pretty aware of my deficiencies as a guitarist, and I'd end up babbling on about how I wish I practiced more or something.
GS: As a fan of both Smashing Pumpkins and Johnny Winter, it's totally cool to imagine Johnny walking out and playing live with you guys, and I can see it as kind of making sense, too.
Billy: Yeah, right, like, "Hey Johnny, learn 'Cherub Rock', would ya?" [laughs] All I know is, when I watched the Bob Dylan tribute, the only part that smoked me was when Johnny came out and did "Highway 61." He was unbelievable. Even James Iha, who could give two shits about Johnny Winter, had his mouth hanging open. We'll record that tribute and put it out somehow, someway, and we'll just call it "Tribute To Johnny" so you'll know. I have that underdog thing. I look at someone like him, who is so amazing, and has had an interesting, strange career, and I'm more apt to root for him. Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix don't need any more rooting for them. If anything, they've had too much hype.
(Instrumental)
Zero EP