10 Questions With Nicole Fiorentino

Known best for her time playing in The Smashing Pumpkins and recording and writing on the band’s albums Teargarden by Kaleidyscope (2011) and Oceania (2012), Nicole Fiorentino has now stepped into another major role in taking the bass helm of Garbage. No stranger to playing with beloved bands, the L.A. rocker cut her teeth early in her career joining Veruca Salt and Light FM before her demand sent her to larger stages.

Equipped with her Reverend basses, Fiorentino’s first-call status is largely due to her driving pick work, expert stage presence, and distinctly melodic playing style, which Billy Corgan once likened to Chris Squire. When she’s not on the road with Garbage, she keeps busy back home running her L.A.-based animal-care service, The Pet Groupies. We caught up with her as she embarked on her latest tour, and had her dig into our 10 Questions. 

1. What music have you been listening to lately? 

I’ve been listening to a lot of Garbage because I’ve been learning their catalog! But also a lot of Billie Eilish, Muna, Lana Del Rey, and Death Cab For Cutie. I’m feeling the emo vibes lately, I guess! I also like to listen to classical in my car. It calms my road rage. 

2. What’s one element of your playing that you most want to improve?

I think I most want to improve playing with my fingers. I have always mostly played with a pick; it’s just the style I’m most comfortable with, but I’ve been trying to break out of my comfort zone lately.

3. What was the first concert you ever attended?

The MTV tour with Tone Loc, Milli Vanilli, and Paula Abdul. I met Paula that day; I think I was maybe ten. She was so nice, but I was shy and speechless!

4. What’s the best concert you’ve ever attended?

Nirvana in 1993. It was seriously a dream come true.

5. If you could have lunch with any bass player today, alive or dead, who would it be? 

Simon Gallup from The Cure.

6. What was your first bass? 

A white-on-white Mexican-made Fender Jazz Bass that my parents bought for me for my 15th birthday. That thing became my whole life. Sadly, it got stolen when I moved to L.A. Note to my 21-year-old self: Never leave your instrument in your car even for five minutes. 

7. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given about playing bass? 

Mark Tulin from the Electric Prunes, who played with the Pumpkins for a few shows before I joined the band, taught me to keep my shoulders nice and loose, especially if I’m having trouble with a song. He was helping me learn one Pumpkins song that I had been struggling with, “Widow Wake My Mind” — and as soon as he told me to relax my shoulders and let them be sort of light and bouncy, my hands just relaxed and were able to flow to the notes. For some reason, that has always stuck with me. I had never thought about how much posture can affect playing. Now, anytime I’m struggling with a song, I’ll take a minute to roll my shoulders back, loosen up, and shake off any tense feelings in my upper body. It really helps! Thanks, Mark. RIP, buddy. 

8. What is the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you during a performance? 

This has happened to me a few times in my life before discovering strap locks — my strap coming off and my bass falling to the floor. Always use strap locks, people! 

9. What are four items that you absolutely need to have on the road with you? 

My yoga mat, all of my supplements to boost my immune system, Liquid IV to stay hydrated, and an eye mask to sleep. 

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing? 

I’m actually already doing what I would be doing if I weren’t a musician, because in addition to my music life I also own a pet care business in L.A., The Pet Groupies. My two loves in life have always been music and animals. I feel very lucky that I’ve been able to make a career of both! If I did neither of these things, I’d probably be a preschool or kindergarten teacher. 

Follow Nicole: HERE