After more than 15 years with the band, touring guitarist Jeff Schroeder has announced that he will be amicably leaving the Smashing Pumpkins; with Schroeder and his bandmates explaining their recent decision in a recent post made to the official Smashing Pumpkins Instagram.

“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,” Schroeder explained. “I wish the band all the success in the future. I will be watching and listening.”

In their statement, the Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, and James Iha said: “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.”

Jeff Schroeder performing with the Smashing Pumpkins. Photo: Instagram/jjjschroeder

Schroeder joined the alt rock outfit in the mid-2000s, initially filling in as a replacement for founding guitarist James Iha (who eventually rejoined the band in 2018 and played alongside Schroeder). He did not perform on the band's 2007 comeback Zeitgeist, but did take part in the accompanying live tour, ushering in a three-guitar line-up. His first studio album with the group was 2012’s Oceania, and he went on to play on Monuments to an Elegy, Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun., Cyr, and this year’s Atum. Aside from frontman Billy Corgan, Schroeder is the longest serving member of the Smashing Pumpkins.

 

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"It’s easy to say now that when I joined The Smashing Pumpkins in 2007 I had no idea what I was getting into, Schroeder's statement began.

"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, Schroeder continued. 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..."