Smashing Pumpkins new guitarist

Photo Credit: Sven Mandel / CC by 4.0

Smashing Pumpkins are conducting open auditions for a new guitarist — giving fans a chance to join the band.

The Smashing Pumpkins announced on Instagram on Friday, January 5 that they are in search of an additional guitarist, and applications are open to anyone.

Currently, the band comprises Billy Corgan, James Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin, having lost their guitarist in October when Jeff Schroeder stepped down after 16 years. Schroeder joined the band through an open audition in 2007.

“The Smashing Pumpkins are in search of an additional guitarist. The application process is open to anyone who might be interested,” reads the band’s announcement. “Applicants may submit a resume and related materials here.”

In Schroeder’s farewell statement, he revealed he auditioned on a whim after a friend messaged him about the opportunity while studying comparative literature at UCLA. “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,” writes Schroeder. “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,” he continues. “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 and wish the band all the success in the future.”

Smashing Pumpkins are heading back on the road for their European tour starting June 7 — so the band has a few months to select a guitarist and show them the ropes. After the European tour, the band is heading back to the States to join Green Day’s Saviors Tour, starting July 29 in Washington, DC.