Ahead of Garbage's Skyway Theatre show, lead singer Shirley Manson stopped by The Current to chat with Brian Oake and Jill Riley, and also to take over our airwaves with a Theft of the Dial.

The band are currently touring in support of their sixth studio album, Strange Little Birds. For this album, as Manson explains to Oake and Riley, the group really wanted to rely on instincts and go back to square one. "As a band," she says, "I think we wanted to challenge ourselves to get into that real beginner's mindset of not believing anybody knows who we are, really starting from scratch, basically. And I think, as a result, we've made a really special record we're very proud of."

Their self-titled debut album was released in August of 1995, and in the 20-plus years since then, the band has featured the same lineup — Manson, Butch Vig, Duke Erikson and Steve Marker. "I think the reason we've stayed together is we've treated each other with respect, and we all understand that we need each other," Manson says. "Nobody in the band thinks they can do it on their own."

In fact, it was at the 7th St. Entry where the very first Garbage show took place in November of 1995. The temperature is one of the things that sticks in Manson's mind the most: "I could not believe how cold it got here. I mean, you guys are made really tough. Full kudos and respect to you all, because it's not easy. I was shocked... I thought I was gonna die the first time I stepped out into the cold."

Theft of the Dial: Shirley Manson Playlist

Garbage — "Empty"
Skating Polly — "Ugly"
Radiohead — "Daydreaming"
Du Blonde — "Mind is on My Mind"
Deap Vally — "Smile More"
Cigarettes After Sex — "Nothing's Gonna Hurt You Baby"
Son Lux — "You Don't Know Me"
Garbage — "Night Drive Loneliness"

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