Smashing Pumpkins Looking for a Guitarist — And Holding Open Auditions

Calling all Smashing Pumpkins fans: You have a chance to become a member of the band.

On Friday (Jan. 5), the rock band took to Instagram to announce an open audition process to replace former guitarist Jeff Schroeder — meaning anyone, including fans, can apply.

“The Smashing Pumpkins are in search an additional guitarist. The application process is open to anyone who might be interested. Applicants may submit a resume and related materials to: [email protected],” the post reads.

The band — which currently consists of founding members Billy Corgan, James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin — lost their guitarist when Schroeder exited in October after a 16-year stint with the band. In his farewell statement, Schroeder revealed that joining the band happened when he least expected it.

“It’s easy to say now that when I joined The Smashing Pumpkins in 2007 I had no idea what I was getting into. The opportunity seemed to have come out of nowhere,” he recalled. “I was at UCLA working on my doctorate in comparative literature when a close friend messaged me and said The Smashing Pumpkins were looking for a guitar player. Being a huge fan of the band, the audition was something I threw myself into. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.”

He continued, “The amount of incredible memories created over the last 16 years with the band are almost too numerous to quantify. 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. I want to thank Billy, Jimmy, James, and Jack for being both wonderful bandmates and even better friends. I will absolutely miss sharing the stage with you. I wish the band all the success in the future. I will be watching and listening.”

Smashing Pumpkins has a few months to get acclimated to whomever joins the band: The group is scheduled to head back on the road for their European tour beginning June 7 and will head Stateside in support of on Green Day’s Saviors Tour scheduled to kick off July 29 in Washington, D.C.

See the announcement below.