Think you’ve got what it takes to hold your own alongside Billy Corgan? Now is your chance to prove it.
Smashing Pumpkins have announced an open call on social media for an additional guitarist to join the band. The group, which consists of frontman Corgan, guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, is looking to add a fourth member to the collective after guitarist Jeff Schroeder announced his departure from Pumpkins in October.
“The amount of incredible memories created over the last 16 years with the band are almost too numerous to quantify,” wrote Schroeder on the group’s Instagram page at the time. “Although it was a very difficult decision to make, I’ve decided to leave the band to make some space to explore a slightly different path.”
Schroeder initially joined Pumpkins as a touring member in 2007 as part of its reunion tour to support the album “Zeitgeist.” He continued to play on subsequent albums up until last year’s “Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts,” which was released in numerous installments through 2023.
Of course, the band has had numerous lineup changes since its founding in 1988. Corgan and Iha established Pumpkins with bassist Darcy Wretzky and Chamberlin, and over the years has cycled members in and out including Melissa Auf der Maur, Mike Byrne and Nicole Florentino. Corgan has remained the sole consistent member, barring the group’s breakup in 2000 and reunion in 2006.
Potential new guitarists are encouraged to send a resume and materials to Pumpkins’ management company. The new member may have a shot at starting on a high note, as the group is scheduled to hit the road in 2024 supporting Green Day on their global The Saviors Tour.
