Hoping to join Smashing Pumpkins as their new guitarist? You’re not alone. Apparently more than 10,000 people have applied for the gig, which the rock band advertised earlier this month.
In a post on social media, Smashing Pumpkins confirmed they’ve received thousands of submissions for the position. “Currently, there are eight people working full-time to review each and every one,” the band wrote.
The band put out a request for applicants on Jan. 5. “The Smashing Pumpkins are in search of an additional guitarist,” they wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “The application process is open to anyone who might be interested. Applicants may submit a resume and related material to SPGuitar@redlightmanagement.com.”
The job is open because Jeff Schroeder, who played with the band from their 2006 reformation all the way through 2023, recently departed the group. “The amount of incredible memories created over the last 16 years with the band are almost too numerous to quantify,” Schroeder wrote to fans in October. “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.”
“We thank Jeff for his ceaseless dedication to the band and our great fans,” the band wrote in response. “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.”
Schroeder’s final performance with the Smashing Pumpkins took place Sept. 17, 2023, when they played Siamese Dream straight through at Madame ZuZu’s Teahouse in Highland Park, Illinois, to celebrate the album’s 30th anniversary. Their sole appearance since that night was a special Christmas performance of “Evergreen” and “Silver Bells” at Disney World on Nov. 11, 2023.
The band has just a few months to find a new guitarist. The Pumpkins kick off a European tour with Weezer on June 7 in Birmingham, England. On July 29, they return to North America for the Saviors stadium tour alongside Green Day, Rancid, and the Linda Lindas.