Guitarist Jeff Schroeder has announced his departure from the iconic alt-rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. Speaking to Guitar World on November 2023, Schroeder explains how he decided to leave The Smashing Pumpkins after 16 years:
“Well, it certainly wasn’t an easy one, and it’s something that I thought about for a long time. A lot of it has to do with the circumstances of my joining the band; I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and I grew up in that music scene. And I was always in my own band, not someone else’s. Many musicians come to L.A. to go to Berklee College of Music, find work, try and join a band, and get hired by other artists.
This wasn’t something Schroeder could do until The Smashing Pumpkins. He said:
“But that was never my thing. I never auditioned for bands, so being in someone else’s band wasn’t something I ever thought about. But when the situation with the Pumpkins happened, I was such a fan of the band, and it was something I was super-passionate about doing, which made it great.”
Leaving The Smashing Pumpkins Behind
The news of his departure came on October 23, 2023, with Schroeder expressing his desire to embark on a different artistic journey in an Instagram post. While his contributions were essential to the band’s stability during tumultuous years in the music industry, he now seeks to create space for fresh experiences.
The Pumpkins were on a huge rise in the ’90s. The talents of Corgan and James Iha were of great importance in this. However, starting in 2007, Jeff Schroeder was an indispensable name for the band. They have accomplished many important works in their 16 years of togetherness. He said:
“Every aspect of my musical life has been influenced by my time in the Smashing Pumpkins in a very positive way. It was paradigm-shifting for me. I’ll never forget it.”
During An Unstable Time With The Smashing Pumpkins
Describing the period in which he joined The Smashing Pumpkins and the topics the band focused on, Schroeder said:
“When I joined, the idea was the band was going to pick up and carry on what it started, or from where it left off. That would be making new music, doing tours focused on the new music and some of the stuff from the defining era.”
In the music industry, things might not happen that quickly. The path to success seemed determined by the industry. Making the music they wanted would not be as easy as they expected:
“What we came up against was an industry that said, ‘If you’re going to be a successful band from the past, you’re going to have to become a greatest hits band.’ That wasn’t something we were interested in doing, so things fragmented and fell apart. People left the band, and at one point, it was just Billy and me until we found [drummer] Mike [Byrne] and [bassist] Nicole [Fiorentino].”
Rebuilding Again
They survived. In 2018, Jimmy Chamberlin (drums) and Iha (guitars) reunited, and the trio guitar line-up was revived with massive tours. Schroeder said:
“We kept working through it, trying to figure it out and rebuild. At the core of the Smashing Pumpkins is the music and the musicality in being good musicians, playing well together, and exploring new spaces. So, even when the band wasn’t as ‘successful,’ it was still a lot of fun musically. We put on a lot of good shows, made good music, and made a lot of people happy along the way.”
When he looks back, many experiences, adventures, and musical processes remain. Despite leaving the Smashing Pumpkins, Schroeder acknowledges the positive impact his time with the band has had on his musical journey. He expresses its importance for his career with the following words:
“All of that allowed me to become better. I definitely would not be the musician I am today without it. I learned how to practice, sound good, and perform in front of people. “
Schroeder revealed that he hadn’t discussed it with his bandmates, Billy Corgan, James Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin, making it a surprise to them. However, he leaves with a deep appreciation for his time in the band, highlighting the friendships he formed and the incredible experiences he had, such as playing arenas, recording with renowned producers, and headlining festivals.
Schroeder’s time with the Smashing Pumpkins has profoundly shaped his identity as a musician and provided him with the opportunity to be a full-time artist. His departure marks a significant turning point in his career, as he looks forward to embracing new challenges and musical adventures.