Jeff Schroeder quits The Smashing Pumpkins after 16 years

He's released a statement

Jeff Schroeder and Billy Corgan
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 25th Oct 2023
Last updated 25th Oct 2023

Guitarist Jeff Schroeder has parted ways with The Smashing Pumpkins after 16 years with the band.

Jeff Schroeder was initially brought in to replace founding member James Iha, and he made his live debut with The Smashing Pumpkins in Paris in May 2007.

He performed on five studio albums as a member of The Smashing Pumpkins from 2012’s ‘Oceania’ through to this year’s ‘Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts.’

Both Jeff Schroeder and The Smashing Pumpkins issued statements last night (24th October) confirming the amicable parting of ways.

Explaining why he’s decided to leave the band, Schroeder wrote: “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. 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.

“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 (Bates) 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.”

Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlain and James Iha wrote: “We thank Jeff for his ceaseless dedication to the band and our great fans. Words cannot express our gratitude and appreciation for the friend he is, and being there for SP in the good times and the tough times, too.”

Last week, The Smashing Pumpkins announced a co-headline UK & Ireland tour with Weezer for June 2024. Tickets are on sale from Kerrang! Radio Tickets now.

The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer UK and Ireland Tour 2024:

JUNE 2024

Birmingham Utilita Arena – Fri 7th

London The O2 – Sat 8th

Dublin 3Arena – Mon 10th

Glasgow OVO Hydro – Wed 12th

Manchester Co-op Live – Thu 13th

Cardiff Castle – Fri 14th

Buy Weezer and The Smashing Pumpkins tickets

The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer UK tour

The real names of famous rock stars:

Cozy Powell’s real name: Colin Trevor Flooks


Alex Lifeson’s real name: Alexandar Živojinović

'Lifeson' is a semi-literal English translation of the Yugoslavian surname Živojinović, which means 'son of life'

Ginger Baker's real name: Peter Edward Baker


John 5’s real name: John William Lowery


Yngwie Malmsteen’s real name: Lars Johann Yngwie Lannerback


Rudy Sarzo’s real name: Rodolfo Maximiliano Sarzo Lavieille Grande Ruiz Payret y Chaumont


Eric Carr's real name: Paul Charles Caravello


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Joey Tempest's real name: Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson


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Jonathan Cain’s real name: Jonathan Leonard Friga


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Bon Scott's real name: Ronald Belford Scott


Fish’s real name: Derek William Dick


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Sebastian Bach’s real name: Sebastian Philip Bierk


Joe Perry’s real name: Joseph Pereira


Jimi Hendrix’s real name: James Marshall Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix)


Zakk Wylde’s real name: Jeffrey Phillip Wielandt


Maynard James Keenan’s real name: James Herbert Keenan


Blaze Bayley’s real name: Bayley Alexander Cooke


Biff Byford's real name: Peter Rodney Byford


M. Shadows' real name: Matthew Charles Sanders


Syd Barrett's real name: Roger Keith Barrett


Chris Jericho's real name: Christopher Keith Irvine


Ginger Wildheart's real name: David Leslie Walls


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Phil X’s real name: Theofilos Xenidis


Peter Green’s real name: Peter Allen Greenbaum


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Noddy Holder’s real name: Neville John Holder


Steel Panther’s real names

Michael Starr: Ralph Michael Saenz, Satchel: Russell John Parrish, Stix Zadinia: Darren Leader, Spyder: Joe Lester.

Lexxi Foxx’s real name: Travis Haley


Jet Black’s real name: Brian John Duffy


Buddy Holly’s real name: Charles Hardin Holley


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Blackie Lawless' real name: Steven Edward Duren


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Rat Scabies' real name: Christopher John Millar


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