Jeff Schroeder leaves Smashing Pumpkins after 16 years
Smashing Pumpkins guitarist Jeff Schroeder has announced his exit from the band after 16 years.
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In a statement released on the band’s social media, Schroeder said he’s made the “very difficult decision” in order to “make some space to explore a slightly different path”.
“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 guitarist began. “The opportunity seemed to have come out of nowhere. 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.”
On Schroeder’s departure, Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, and James Iha shared a joint statement: “We thank Jeff for his ceaseless dedication to the band and our great fans. Words can not express our gratitude and appreciation for the friend he is, and being there for SP in the good times and the tough times, too.”
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Meanwhile, Smashing Pumpkins will be embarking on a co-headline tour alongside Weezer in the UK and Ireland next summer. The band is also set to join Green Day on a stadium tour of North America in 2024.
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