Mike Byrne

Michael William Byrne (born February 6, 1990) is an American drummer who was a member of the rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. When Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan called for rehearsals to replace Jimmy Chamberlin, Byrne auditioned and was chosen out of thousands of applicants. He played drums in Sky Saxon tribute band Spirits in the Sky for six shows in August 2009, along with Corgan, Kerry Brown, Kevin Dippold, Mark Tulin, Linda Strawberry, Ysanne Spevack, Mark Weitz, and Dave Navarro, and also performs drums on the Pumpkins project, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. As a part of Teargarden, Byrne contributed drumming duties on Oceania, the Pumpkins' eighth full-length album. On April 17, 2010, Byrne played his first show under the Smashing Pumpkins moniker in celebration of Record Store Day.

On June 13, 2014, Billy Corgan reported that Byrne had left the band.

Early life Byrne grew up in the Portland suburb of Beaverton, Oregon with his parents Eric and Chris Byrne and his sister, Elise Byrne. He started playing the drums regularly at age 12 While attending Beaverton High School, from which he graduated in 2008, he worked at McDonald's to save money for college.

In 2011, Byrne won best "Up and Coming" drummer in Modern Drummer'''s Reader's Poll.

In June 2014, Billy Corgan reported that Byrne had left the band.

After the Smashing Pumpkins

Upon leaving the Smashing Pumpkins, Byrne continued his efforts with his local band Bearcubbin!, in the Pacific Northwest. They have released two full-length albums. During their visit to SXSW in 2014, they won the award for "Worst Band Name" out of the thousands of bands attending.

Musical influences

Byrne cites some of his influences as The Cure, Maserati, Maps and Atlases, and Pelican. He enjoys post-rock and math rock.

Discography

With the Smashing PumpkinsTeargarden by Kaleidyscope EPs and stand-alone songs (2009–2011)Oceania (2012)

With Bearcubbin'!Live from the Bear Trap (2009)Jewels & The Wallwalkers/ Bearcubbin'! (2010, split album)Get Your Heavies Out (2011)Girls with Fun Haircuts (2014)

With Moses, Smell the RosesFrenemies EP (2007)Please Do Over (2009)