At the 41st annual NAMM TEC Awards on Thursday, Jan. 22 at the Hilton Pacific Ballroom, Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan will be celebrated by the pro audio and sound recording industry for his achievements in technical excellence and creativity, recognising his lasting impact on modern rock. From the layered ambition of Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness to his continued reinvention with The Smashing Pumpkins, Corgan’s visionary approach to tone, songwriting and sonic architecture has influenced generations of musicians, engineers and creators.
Presented annually by NAMM, the TEC Awards recognizes the individuals, companies and technical innovations behind the sound of recordings, live performances, films, television, video games and multimedia. Now in its 41st year, the Awards are widely recognised as the highest honour dedicated to the pro audio and sound recording industry. It’s where the most outstanding products in the worlds of music making, live performances, video games, television and films are recognised and where creative luminaries like Les Paul, Peter Frampton, Quincy Jones, Joe Perry, Pete Townshend, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Chuck D, The RZA and Jack White are celebrated for their musical contributions. The 41st Annual NAMM TEC Awards will return to the Hilton Anaheim’s Pacific Ballroom on Thursday, January 22, as part of The 2026 NAMM Show.
YOUNGBLUD ‘ZOMBIE’ COLLABORATION
The Smashing Pumpkins’ collaboration with Yungblud marks one of the more intriguing cross-generational rock moments of early 2026, bringing together a defining alternative band of the 1990s with one of the most visible and polarising voices in contemporary rock. The collaboration centres on a newly reimagined version of Yungblud’s song “Zombie”, released on January 2, 2026, which transforms the track into a darker, heavier and more emotionally abrasive statement than its original incarnation.
“Zombie” was already a deeply personal song for Yungblud, written around themes of grief, vulnerability and emotional overload. He has spoken openly about how the original composition was initially conceived as a heavier piece, but was later pared back for its first release. The opportunity to revisit the song with The Smashing Pumpkins allowed him to finally realise that original vision. Drawing directly on the band’s influence, particularly the layered guitars, dynamic shifts and melancholic intensity associated with the Pumpkins’ early to mid 1990s work, the collaboration reframes “Zombie” as something closer to a classic alternative rock epic than a modern alt-pop crossover.
Billy Corgan’s involvement is central to the track’s transformation. His unmistakable guitar tone and textural approach give the song a sense of weight and atmosphere that immediately evokes the Pumpkins’ legacy, while still leaving room for Yungblud’s raw, confrontational vocal style. Rather than feeling like a novelty pairing, the track plays as a genuine artistic exchange, with both parties leaning into shared emotional territory. Corgan has been publicly supportive of Yungblud in recent years, praising his willingness to blur genre lines and commit fully to emotional expression, and that mutual respect is evident in the final recording.
The release of the reworked “Zombie” was accompanied by a music video that reinforces the song’s themes of isolation, anger and catharsis, further underlining the seriousness of the collaboration. It also reflects a broader trend in rock music, where legacy artists are increasingly engaging with younger musicians not as mentors or nostalgia acts, but as active creative partners.
Fan reaction has been predictably divided. Some longtime Smashing Pumpkins listeners have expressed scepticism about the pairing, while others have welcomed the chance to hear Corgan’s guitar work framed in a contemporary setting. Yungblud’s audience, meanwhile, has largely embraced the heavier direction, seeing the collaboration as a validation of his rock instincts.
Yungblud was recently a guest on Corgan’s hugely popular podcast The Magnificent Others, a long-form interview podcast hosted by the Smashing Pumpkins frontman that launched in 2025 and focuses on deep, reflective conversations with influential figures from music, film, culture and the wider creative world. Rather than promoting new projects or sticking to predictable interview formats, the podcast is built around candid discussions of life experience, ambition, failure, resilience and the personal philosophies that shape lasting creative careers. Corgan’s approach is conversational and probing, often drawing on his own experiences as an artist to challenge guests to reflect honestly on their journeys, turning points and the costs of success. Episodes typically run for an hour or more and feature an eclectic mix of guests ranging from rock veterans and contemporary musicians to actors, producers and cultural commentators. The show’s underlying theme is a celebration of “earned” achievement, people who have carved out distinctive paths through conviction, craft and persistence, and a desire to give space to voices that may be misunderstood, underestimated or simplified by mainstream media. As a result, The Magnificent Others sits somewhere between a cultural history lesson, a philosophical conversation and an artist-to-artist exchange, appealing to listeners interested in creativity, legacy and the human stories behind public success.
YUNGBLUD AUSTRALIAN TOUR AND PHOTO EXHIBITION
YUNGBLUD will head to Australia in 2026 for his biggest run of shows to date. With Perth and Brisbane dates already sold out, an additional Brisbane show has been added, and Sydney has been upgraded to Qudos Bank Arena to meet overwhelming demand. Yungblud’s Australian tour begins in Sydney on January 10. Three-time GRAMMY® nominee YUNGBLUD recently announced that Brisbane punks Dune Rats will join him as special guests on his IDOLS world tour in Australia.
TICKETS ON SALE via frontiertouring.com/yungblud
The news comes hot off the heels of the announce of the Australian debut of ‘YUNGBLUD: IDOLS’, an exclusive photography exhibition by acclaimed British photographer Tom Pallant, at Behind The Gallery in Newtown from the 7th -11th January 2026.
This world-exclusive exhibition will feature an array of both personal and pivotal moments never before seen, celebrating the evolution of one of the most influential alt-rock figures of a generation. From candid backstage interactions to high-voltage live performances that capture the artist’s raw humanity, the collection offers an intimate look at his journey. Pallant, YUNGBLUD’s long-time trusted photographer and creative collaborator, brings fans closer than ever to the energy, vulnerability, and rebellion that define the star’s artistic identity. For more information visit Yungblud Idols – behindthegallery.