Therapy? Archives - Riffology

The Making of Troublegum by Therapy?

Neil Johnson 16 April 2025

Troublegum by Therapy? – A Defining Moment in Alternative Rock Few albums capture the restless energy and...

Podcast Episodes

Riffology: Iconic Rock Albums Podcast

Remember when payday meant choosing which CD or vinyl you were blowing it on? Standing in HMV doing the mental maths, convincing yourself two albums was basically essential. Riffology is Neil and Chris chasing that feeling again, one classic record at a time.

This is a show about the albums that raised us —
Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Motley Crue, Def Leppard,
Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Pink Floyd, Radiohead,
Skunk Anansie, Gojira, Soulfly and the rest.
If it’s 25+ years old, loud and iconic, we’re in.

Each episode is two Gen X mates diving into studio sessions, producer chaos and band drama plus the joy of taped-over cassettes, dodgy car stereos and sitting on the floor with a record sleeve.

We nerd out when we should: Albini vs Vig, room-miked vs close-miked,
Neve consoles, dynamic-range disasters and those “how did this get approved?” moments.

If you grew up when albums were events, this is your place. Some weeks it’s an old favourite; other weeks it’s something you abandoned in ’94. Either way, Riffology’s here to talk rubbish, tell stories and remind you why these records mattered.

When a Band on the Brink Creates a Masterpiece Against All Odds

Hosts: Neil & Chris
Duration: ~90 minutes
Release: TBC

Episode Description

Neil and Chris dive deep into The Smashing Pumpkins’ 1993 landmark album Siamese Dream, a record that almost didn’t happen. With Billy Corgan having just stepped back from the edge of suicide, Jimmy Chamberlain battling heroin addiction, and bandmates James and Darcy navigating a painful breakup, this dysfunctional group somehow created one of the most sonically ambitious albums of the decade.

The episode explores the intense pressure the band faced following Nirvana’s explosion, with producer Butch Vig caught between his Nevermind success and his loyalty to the Pumpkins. Chris brings a deeply personal connection, revealing how this album shaped his musical development during those formative walks to school with a Walkman, while Neil discovers the fascinating stories behind an album he came to later through his wife’s fandom.

What You’ll Hear:

Billy Corgan’s accusation that Butch Vig “stole” his guitar sound for Smells Like Teen Spirit
The story behind the iconic album cover, featuring two girls who weren’t twins and had never met before the photoshoot
Why the BBC banned the single “Disarm” due to the Jamie Bulger tragedy, and Billy’s refusal to change the lyrics for Top of the Pops
Jimmy Chamberlain’s extraordinary drum work and how he treats drums as a conversational instrument
The recent Smashing Pumpkins and YUNGBLUD collaboration on “Zombie” and what it reveals about Billy’s creative process

Featured Tracks & Analysis:

The hosts dissect the phenomenal layering on this analog recording, with Butch and Billy reportedly drawing diagrams to track the countless guitar overdubs. Standout discussions include the emotional weight of “Disarm” (written about Billy’s difficult relationship with his parents), the melotron strings on “Spaceboy” (about his half-brother with developmental disabilities), and the off-the-cuff creation of “Mayonnaise,” a song Billy claims took longer to justify naming than to write.

Tangential Gold:

A lengthy detour about Craig David, Bo Selecta, and career-destroying comedy
The hosts’ debate on AI as a tool for visionaries who lack musical skills
Neil’s frosty morning as park run director at minus 8 degrees
Chris sharing the download festival lineup where he played on the same bill as the Pumpkins

Why This Matters:

Siamese Dream stands as a testament to creative triumph over personal chaos. The episode unpacks how a band so close to implosion channeled their dysfunction into a 62-minute masterpiece that sold 6 million copies and influenced a generation. Billy Corgan’s obsessive perfectionism, which saw him re-record most guitar and bass parts himself, created something that critics called “overproduced” but fans recognised as visionary.

Perfect for: Pumpkins devotees, shoegaze enthusiasts, anyone fascinated by the creative process under pressure, and listeners who want to understand why some albums become defining moments in rock history.