This summer season, the Smashing Pumpkins will head out on a gigantic stadium tour with Inexperienced Day and Rancid. It’s their highest-profile tour in a really very long time, they usually’ll do it with out guitarist Jeff Schroeder, who joined the band in 2006 and left final 12 months. In January, the Smashing Pumpkins posted a needed advert for a brand new guitarist, and greater than 10,000 individuals utilized for the place. The band reviewed the submissions and held in-person auditions in Los Angeles. At the moment, the band introduced that LA shredder Kiki Wong will be a part of them on the street.
Kiki Wong has carried out with individuals like Taylor Swift and Usher, and he or she’s at the moment within the band Vigil Of Struggle, however she’s extra well-known for posting metallic covers on social media. She’s not an official Smashing Pumpkins member or something. As a substitute, she’ll be supporting authentic members Billy Corgan, James Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin. (The band’s touring lineup additionally contains bassist Jack Bates and multi-instrumentalist Katie Cole.) In a press launch, Corgan has this to say:
Reviewing the work of those unimaginable musicians was a herculean albeit worthy effort. First off, I actually wish to thank everybody who submitted supplies for consideration. It wasn’t a simple determination with how a lot nice guitar enjoying we had been fortunate sufficient to listen to and see over the previous few months. I used to be a fan of Kiki’s earlier than she submitted her identify to be thought of, and it’s nice that somebody of her acumen will likely be a part of our touring household. I can’t wait to hit the street with Kiki as a part of our mad circus. It’s undoubtedly an thrilling second for The Smashing Pumpkins to be this busy with touring in 2024. We’ll see you all this summer season!
Right here’s what Wong says about it:
It’s been an absolute wild trip, however I’m past honored and humbled to be chosen to carry out alongside a few of rock’s biggest and most influential musicians of all time. I by no means thought little ole 15-year-old me enjoying metallic guitar in my bed room would quantity to this second. It goes to point out arduous work and perseverance really pays off should you’re prepared to push by way of the robust stuff, so by no means lose hope on the market. I’m so grateful for this chance and might’t wait to share the stage with the legendary Smashing Pumpkins!
Within the months forward, the Smashing Pumpkins will tour the UK with Weezer after which play exhibits in Europe with Interpol and Tom Morello. The North American tour with Inexperienced Day kicks off 7/29 in Washington, DC.
