List of the Smashing Pumpkins band members
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The Smashing Pumpkins is an alternative rock band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1988. The band was formed by guitarist/vocalist Billy Corgan and guitarist James Iha after the demise of Corgan's first band, the Marked. The two musicians were soon joined by bassist D'arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. Since its inception, the Smashing Pumpkins has gone through multiple line-up changes, with Corgan the only consistent member.
Their current formation includes Corgan alongside Iha (who rejoined in 2018) and Chamberlin, who has had four tenures. The band also tours with keyboardist Katie Cole and bassist Jack Bates (both of whom first joined in 2015), and guitarist Kiki Wong (since 2024).[1]
History
[edit]After the breakup of his gothic rock band the Marked, singer and guitarist Billy Corgan left St. Petersburg, Florida, to return to his native city of Chicago, where he took a job in a record store. While working there, he met guitarist James Iha. The pair soon began writing songs together with the aid of a drum machine.[2] Corgan met bassist D'arcy Wretzky in mid 1988 after a show by the Dan Reed Network where they argued the merits of the band. After finding out Wretzky played bass, Corgan stated his band's need for a bassist and gave Wretzky his telephone number. Wretzky soon joined the band, and she and Iha later had a short-lived romance.[3]
The first performance of the Smashing Pumpkins was on July 9, 1988, at the Polish bar Chicago 21. This performance included only Corgan and Iha with a drum machine.[4] On August 10, 1988, the band played for the first time as a trio at the Avalon Nightclub.[5] After this show, Cabaret Metro owner Joe Shanahan agreed to book the band on the condition that they replace the drum machine with a live drummer. Jazz drummer Jimmy Chamberlin was recruited for the band after a recommendation from a friend of Corgan's.[5] On October 5, 1988, the complete band took the stage for the first time at the Cabaret Metro.[5]
Soon after the release of their third album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness in 1995, the group recruited keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin to perform on the ensuing tour. However, on July 11, 1996, Melvion and Chamberlin overdosed on heroin in a New York City hotel room. Melvoin died, and Chamberlin was arrested for drug possession. A few days later, the band announced that Chamberlin had been fired as a result of the incident.[6] The Pumpkins chose to finish the tour, and hired drummer Matt Walker and keyboardist Dennis Flemion as temporary replacements. Corgan later said the decision to continue touring was the worst the band had ever made, damaging both their music and their reputation.[2]
In early 1999, Jimmy Chamberlin rejoined the band; however, the reunion was short-lived, as bassist D'arcy Wretzky announced her departure that September.[7] She was subsequently replaced by former Hole bassist Melissa Auf der Maur, who performed on the “Sacred and Profane" tour and appeared in music videos. On May 23, 2000, in a live radio interview on KROQ-FM (Los Angeles), Billy Corgan announced the band's decision to break up at the end of that year following additional touring and recording.[8] The Smashing Pumpkins played at the Cabaret Metro on December 2, 2000, before a six-year disbandment.
On July 21, 2005, Corgan stated in full-page advertisements in the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times that he planned to reunite the band.[9] On April 20, 2006, the band's official website confirmed the reunion.[10] Corgan and Chamberlin were verified as participants in the reunion, but it was unclear whether other former members of the band would participate. In April 2007, Iha and Auf der Maur separately confirmed that they were not taking part in the reunion.[11][12] Wretzky did not make an announcement, but Chamberlin would later state that Iha and Wretzky "didn't want to be a part of" the reunion.[13] The Smashing Pumpkins performed live for the first time since 2000 on May 22, 2007, in Paris, France, with new members Jeff Schroeder on guitar and Ginger Reyes on bass guitar, as well as keyboardist Lisa Harriton.[14]
This line-up toured to promote the 2007 album Zeitgeist and performed again throughout 2008 to celebrate the band's 20th anniversary—this time, the instrumentation was augmented by No Doubt trumpeter Stephen Bradley and trombonist Gabrial McNair, Kristopher Pooley on accordion and keyboards, and Gingger Shankar playing the rare 10-string violin. In March 2009, Corgan announced on the band's website that longtime drummer Jimmy Chamberlin had left the group;[15] Chamberlin stated that the split was amicable, commenting that he was "glad [Corgan] has chosen to continue under the name. It is his right."[16] Corgan later stated that he fired Chamberlin and began searching for his replacement.[17]
In August 2009, Corgan confirmed on the band's website that drummer Mike Byrne had replaced Chamberlin after a series of open auditions.[18] Keyboardist Lisa Harriton quietly left the group in 2009.[19] In March 2010, bassist Ginger Reyes (now Ginger Pooley) officially left the band in order to focus on her family[19] and was briefly replaced by Mark Tulin of the Electric Prunes. In May 2010, Nicole Fiorentino was announced as the official replacement for Pooley.[20] However, she was later dismissed from the band in 2014,[21] alongside Byrne.[22]
Mötley Crüe's Tommy Lee played on Monuments to an Elegy and Brad Wilk toured with the band, alongside bassist Mark Stoermer for tour dates in late 2014 and early 2015.[23][24] In 2015, the band were to be joined by drummer Robin Diaz and bassist Katie Cole;[25] however, Diaz was replaced by original drummer Chamberlin on a touring basis.[26] Cole was also replaced by Jack Bates during the tour.[27] Cole returned in 2016, this time on keyboards and guitar, while Sierra Swan joined on bass, keyboards and other instruments.[28]
In February 2018, Iha and Chamberlin officially rejoined for the Shiny And Oh So Bright Tour with touring members Cole and Bates.[29][30] On October 24, 2023, it was announced on the band's social media that Jeff Schroeder had decided to leave the band "to explore a slightly different path".[31] In April 2024, the band revealed Kiki Wong as new touring guitarist.[1]
Band members
[edit]Current members
[edit]| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Corgan |
|
|
All of The Smashing Pumpkins' releases. | |
| James Iha |
|
|
All releases from Gish (1991) to Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music (2000) and Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun. (2018) onward. | |
| Jimmy Chamberlin |
|
|
All of The Smashing Pumpkins' releases up to 1996, from 1999–2000, 2007 to 2009, and 2018 onward. |
Current touring members
[edit]| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katie Cole |
|
|
| |
| Jack Bates[33] |
|
bass | none | |
| Kiki Wong[1] | 2024–present | guitar |
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Former members
[edit]| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D'arcy Wretzky | 1988–1999 |
|
All of the Smashing Pumpkins' releases up to Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music (2000) | |
| Melissa Auf der Maur | 1999–2000 |
|
Bass guitar on the live track "Rock On" from the compilation disc Judas O | |
| Ginger Reyes | 2007–2010[19] | American Gothic (2008) | ||
| Lisa Harriton | 2007–2009[34] |
| ||
| Jeff Schroeder | 2006–2023 |
|
All of The Smashing Pumpkins' releases starting with If All Goes Wrong (2008) until Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts (2023). | |
| Mike Byrne | 2009–2014 |
|
| |
| Nicole Fiorentino | 2010–2014 |
|
|
Former touring members
[edit]| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Remschneider | 1992–1994[35][36] | cello |
| |
| Jonathan Melvoin | 1995–1996 (his death)[37] |
|
The Aeroplane Flies High (1996) | |
| Dennis Flemion | 1996–1997 (died 2012)[37] |
| ||
| Matt Walker | 1996–1997[37][38] |
| ||
| Mike Garson | 1998–2000[39] |
|
||
| Kenny Aronoff[40] | 1998 |
|
none | |
| Stephen Hodges[41] | percussion | |||
| Dan Morris[41] | 1998 (died 2007) | |||
| Chris Holmes | 2000[42] |
|
Live at Cabaret Metro 10-5-88 (2000) | |
| Stephen Bradley[43] | 2008[44] |
|
none | |
| Gabrial McNair |
| |||
| Kristopher Pooley |
| |||
| Gingger Shankar | 10-string violin | |||
| Mark Tulin | 2010 (died 2011)[46] | bass | Teargarden by Kaleidyscope (2009–2014) | |
| Mark Stoermer | 2014–2015[23] | none | ||
| Brad Wilk | drums | |||
| Sierra Swan[47] | 2016–2017 |
|
|
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Studio and guest musicians
[edit]| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Gaines | 1990–1991 | cello on "Daydream" | Gish (1991) | |
| Chris Wagner | violin and viola on "Daydream" | |||
| Mike Mills | 1992–1993 | piano on "Soma" | Siamese Dream (1993) | |
| David Ragsdale | string arrangements and violin on "Disarm" and "Luna" | |||
| Kerry Brown | 1994 |
|
Pisces Iscariot (1994) | |
| Chicago Symphony Orchestra | 1995 | orchestra in "Tonight, Tonight" | Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995) | |
| Greg Leisz | pedal and lap steel guitar on "Take Me Down"' | |||
| Jimmy Flemion |
|
|
| |
| Bill Corgan Sr. | 1996 | guitar solo on "The Last Song" | The Aeroplane Flies High (1996) | |
| Nina Gordon | vocals on "...Said Sadly" | |||
| Keith Brown | piano | |||
| Chris Martin | piano on "My Blue Heaven" | |||
| Adam Schlesinger | piano on "The Bells" | |||
| Matt Cameron | 1997–1998 | drums on "For Martha" | Adore (1998) | |
| Joey Waronker |
| |||
| Bon Harris |
| |||
| Brad Wood |
| |||
| Bjorn Thorsrud | 1998–1999 (died 2021) | programming | Machina/The Machines of God (2000) | |
| Ysanne Spevack | 2010 |
|
Teargarden by Kaleidyscope (2010) | |
| Linda Strawberry | backing vocals | |||
| Kevin Dippold | 2011 | Oceania (2012) | ||
| Tommy Lee | 2014 |
|
Monuments to an Elegy (2014) | |
| Sstaria (Sheri Shaw) | backing vocals on "Anaise!" | |||
| Daphne Chen – violin | 2018 | strings on "Knights of Malta" and "Alienation" | Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun. (2018) | |
| Eric Forman – violin | ||||
| Richard Dodd – cello | ||||
| Leah Katz – viola | ||||
| Charissa Nielsen | additional background vocals on "Knights of Malta" | |||
| Briana Lee | ||||
| Missi Hale |
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Timeline
[edit]
Line-ups
[edit]| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| early 1988 |
|
none – one live performance each |
| mid 1988 |
| |
| October 1988 – June 1992 |
|
|
| July 1992 – early 1995 |
|
|
| early 1995 – July 1996 |
|
|
| July 1996 – March 1998 |
|
|
| April – September 1998 |
|
none – live performances only |
| October 1998 – early 1999 |
| |
| early – September 1999 |
|
|
| September – December 1999 |
|
|
| December 1999 – December 2000 |
|
none – live performances only |
| 2000–2006 | Band inactive | |
| April 2006 – April 2007 |
|
|
| April 2007 – October 2008 |
|
|
| October – December 2008 |
|
none – live performances only |
| December 2008 – March 2009 |
|
none – rehearsals only |
| August 2009 – March 2010 |
| |
| April 2010 |
|
none – live performances only |
| May 2010 – mid 2014 |
|
|
| March – July 2014 |
|
|
| November 2014 – April 2015 |
|
none – live performances only |
| June 2015 |
| |
| July – August 2015 |
| |
| March – May 2016 |
| |
| March 2018 – October 2023 |
|
|
| April 2024 – present |
|
|
References
[edit]- General
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas; Prato, Greg. "Biography of Smashing Pumpkins". Allmusic. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
- Azerrad, Michael. "Smashing Pumpkins' Sudden Impact". Rolling Stone. October 1, 1993.
- DeRogatis, Jim. Milk It!: Collected Musings on the Alternative Music Explosion of the 90's. Cambridge: Da Capo, 2003. ISBN 0-306-81271-1
- Kot, Greg. "Pumpkin Seeds". Guitar World. January 2002.
- Thompson, Dave. "Smashing Pumpkins", in Alternative Rock. San Francisco: Miller Freeman, 2000. ISBN 0-87930-607-6
- Specific
- ^ a b c Kreps, Daniel (April 26, 2024). "Smashing Pumpkins Reveal Kiki Wong as Their New Guitarist After Nationwide Search". Music > Music News. Rolling Stone. ISSN 0035-791X. OCLC 969027590. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ a b Kot, Greg. "Pumpkin Seeds", Guitar World. January 2002.
- ^ "From Fighting to Smashing", Washington Post. November 19, 1993.
- ^ Kelly, Christina. "Smashing Pumpkins: The Multi-Platinum Band Is Over the Infighting But Can the Harmony Last?", US Weekly. December 1, 1995
- ^ a b c "Jimmy Chamberlin [interview]", Modern Drummer. January 1994.
- ^ Errico, Marcus (July 17, 1996). "Smashing Pumpkins Drum Out Jimmy Chamberlin". Eonline.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2006.
- ^ "D'Arcy Exits Smashing Pumpkins". Billboard.com. September 10, 1999. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved February 7, 2007.
- ^ Newman, Melinda & Jonathan Cohen (May 24, 2000). "Corgan: Smashing Pumpkins To Break Up". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2006.
- ^ Corgan, Billy. "A Message to Chicago from Billy Corgan", Chicago Tribune, June 21, 2005.
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (April 21, 2006). "Smashing Pumpkins Site Says "It's Official"—Band Has Reunited". MTV.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2006. Retrieved June 28, 2006.
- ^ Goodman, Elizabeth (April 6, 2007). "Exclusive: James Iha Speaks Out Regarding His Involvement in Pumpkins Reunion". RollingStone.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2007. Retrieved April 6, 2007.
- ^ "Movers and Shakers in Canadian Arts". TheGlobeAndMail.com. April 23, 2007. Retrieved April 23, 2007.
- ^ Micallef, Ken. "The Evolution of Jimmy Chamberlin: Still Smashing!" Modern Drummer. November 2007.
- ^ Cohen, Jonathan (April 22, 2007). "Smashing Pumpkins Return To The Stage In Paris". Billboard.com. Retrieved July 22, 2007.
- ^ Prince, David J. (March 20, 2009). "Smashing Pumpkins Sheds Chamberlin; Billy Corgan Heads To Studio All Alone". Billboard.com. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
- ^ "Jimmy Talks About Leaving Pumpkins". Idiomag.com. March 26, 2009. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
- ^ "Billy Corgan on Pumpkins' Split, “Loving” Jessica Simpson: Preview the Story". Rolling Stone. March 3, 2010.
- ^ "The Smashing Pumpkins Replace Drummer". Billboard.com. Associated Press. August 19, 2009. Retrieved August 26, 2009.
- ^ a b c Keith Phipps (March 9, 2010). "Help Wanted: Pumpkins". The A.V. Club. Retrieved March 9, 2010.
- ^ "Smashing Pumpkins Acknowledge Report Identifying New Bassist Archived 2010-05-12 at the Wayback Machine". HipstersUnited.com. 2010-05-08.
- ^ "Interview: Billy Corgan Talks Jimmy Chamberlin, Matt Cameron & Smashing Pumpkins Departures - AlternativeNation.net". Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
- ^ Camp, Zoe (June 15, 2014). "Smashing Pumpkins Drummer Mike Byrne Leaves Band". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Blistein, Jon (November 18, 2014). "Smashing Pumpkins Enlist Rage Against the Machine, Killers Members for Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ "Smashing Pumpkins perform on Fallon with members of Rage Against the Machine and The Killers – watch". April 3, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ "Smashing Pumpkins have a new lineup (once again)". June 12, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Mansfield, Brian. "Pumpkins add original member for summer tour". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Basedow, Neph (July 20, 2015). "Marilyn Manson vs. Smashing Pumpkins: Draw". www.austinchronicle.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Renshaw, David (March 27, 2016). "Smashing Pumpkins reunited with guitarist James Iha for first time in 16 years". NME. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Colothan, Scott (June 15, 2018). "The Smashing Pumpkins announce massive October 2018 London show". planetradio. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Trendell, Andrew (October 16, 2018). "Peter Hook on his son Jack Bates being bassist for The Smashing Pumpkins". NME. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ "Instagram". Retrieved October 24, 2023.
- ^ "Video: Guitarist James Iha Rejoins Smashing Pumpkins On Stage In Los Angeles - Blabbermouth.net". March 27, 2016.
- ^ Trendell, Andrew (October 16, 2018). "Peter Hook on his son Jack Bates being bassist for The Smashing Pumpkins". NME. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ Perry, Jonathan (November 15, 2008). "War and peace with the Smashing Pumpkins". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
- ^ "stage banter, 1992/07/23". spfc.org. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
- ^ "Smashing Pumpkins Live at Downing Stadium on 1994-08-06 (August 6, 1994)". Live Music Archive. August 6, 1994. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
- ^ a b c "New Pumpkins Are "All Smiles"". MTV. Archived from the original on May 9, 2007. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
- ^ Pareles, Jon (September 18, 1996). "POP REVIEW — Smashing Pumpkins, Changed and Charging". New York Times. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
- ^ "GOURD VIBRATIONS THE PUMPKINS REVERT TO SMASHING MODE AT RADIO CITY". NY Daily News. New York. August 3, 1998. Retrieved March 17, 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Pumpkins Line Up Single, European Tour Before Hitting H.O.R.D.E." MTV. Archived from the original on May 9, 2007. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
- ^ a b "NEWS — NEW TOUR DATES!". Virgin Records. Archived from the original on February 12, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ "Search Results: Smashing Pumpkins + Chris Holmes". Live Music Archive. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
- ^ "Review: Smashing Pumpkins at Gibson Amphitheatre". LA Times. December 3, 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
- ^ "Smashing Pumpkins Expand Tour Lineup". Vintage Guitar Magazine. November 21, 2008. Retrieved March 21, 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c Wilson, Melanie (November 21, 2008), IMG_7072, retrieved October 28, 2023
- ^ Smashing Pumpkins: 'There Are Always More Riffs Than Words' Archived 2014-10-27 at the Wayback Machine Ultimate-Guitar.com. 2010-04-26.
- ^ Roy, Bishal (July 27, 2022). "Smashing Pumpkins Ex-Bassist Returns At Chicago Show". Alternative Nation. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ Bayer, Jonathan (January 22, 2009), James Iha & Katie Cole 6497, retrieved October 24, 2023
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| Extended plays | |||||||
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| Singles |
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| Promotional singles |
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| Related articles |
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