The Smashing Pumpkins have officially named Kiki Wong, a Los Angeles-based musician who plays for the band Vigil of War, as their new touring guitarist. Wong replaces guitarist Jeff Schroeder, who joined the Smashing Pumpkins in 2006 and left the band in October 2023.
The band posted on their socials: “The news you have been waiting for has finally arrived! SP is excited to officially welcome highly-skilled veteran guitarist Kiki Wong. Kiki joins the band’s touring lineup of Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, and James Iha, along with mainstays Jack Bates and Katie Cole. Please join us in welcoming Kiki to the SP family. We will be sharing more in the coming weeks but in the meantime see more of Kiki here: @kikiwongo (IG, TikTok)”
Earlier this year, the Pumpkins put out an open casting call for a new guitarist to audition for the group, writing, “The application process is open to anyone who might be interested.” The band later said it received over 10,000 submissions and had eight people working full-time to review each one. Frontman Billy Corgan thanked all of the musicians who auditioned for the role, and shared in a statement: “It wasn’t an easy decision with how much great guitar playing we were lucky enough to hear and see over the past few months. I was a fan of Kiki’s before she submitted her name to be considered — and it’s great that someone of her acumen will be part of our touring family. I can’t wait to hit the road with Kiki as part of our mad circus. It’s definitely an exciting moment for The Smashing Pumpkins to be busy with touring in 2024. We’ll see you all this summer!”
Wong wrote: “Well, cat’s out of the bag! I am officially the new guitarist for the @smashingpumpkins I am beyond honored and excited to be a part of this new journey with such an incredible and legendary group of musicians. It’s going to be a wild ride! So stay tuned! .. I never thought little ole 15-year-old me playing metal guitar in my bedroom would amount to this moment. It goes to show hard work and perseverance truly pays off if you’re willing to push through the tough stuff, so never lose hope out there. It’s been an absolute wild ride, but I am beyond honored and humbled to be chosen to perform alongside some of rock’s greatest and most influential musicians of all time. I am so grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to share the stage with The legendary Smashing Pumpkins!”
Editorial credit: Ovidiu Hrubaru / Shutterstock.com
