The Smashing Pumpkins is an American alternative rock band that was formed in 1988 in Chicago, Illinois. The band was founded by Billy Corgan (vocals, guitar) and James Iha (guitar), and later joined by D’arcy Wretzky (bass) and Jimmy Chamberlin (drums). They gained popularity in the 1990s with their distinctive sound and Corgan’s introspective lyrics.
The Smashing Pumpkins released their debut album, “Gish,” in 1991, which showcased their blend of heavy guitar-driven rock and melodic, atmospheric elements. However, it was their second album, “Siamese Dream” (1993), that brought them mainstream success. The album featured hits like “Today” and “Disarm” and solidified their place in the alternative rock scene.
In 1995, the band released their highly acclaimed double album, “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.” This ambitious project spawned several hits, including “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” and “1979.” The album showcased the band’s versatility and range, incorporating elements of alternative rock, grunge, and even orchestral arrangements.
Over the years, The Smashing Pumpkins underwent numerous lineup changes, with Billy Corgan being the only constant member. They released several more albums, including “Adore” (1998), “Machina/The Machines of God” (2000), and “Zeitgeist” (2007).
In 2000, the band announced their breakup, but Corgan later reformed The Smashing Pumpkins with a new lineup in 2006. The revived band released the album “Oceania” in 2012, followed by “Monuments to an Elegy” (2014) and “Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun.” (2018).
Current Members of The Smashing Pumpkins
- Billy Corgan – Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
- James Iha – Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Jimmy Chamberlin – Drums, Percussion
- Jeff Schroeder – Guitar, Keyboards (Joined the band in 2007)
Past members
- D’arcy Wretzky
- Melissa Auf der Maur
- Mike Byrne
- Nicole Fiorentino
- Ginger Pooley
The female members of The Smashing Pumpkins
- D’arcy Wretzky (1988-1999) – D’arcy was the original bassist of The Smashing Pumpkins. She played bass and provided backing vocals. However, she left the band in 1999.
- Melissa Auf der Maur (2000-2007) – Melissa joined the band as the bassist after D’arcy’s departure. She played bass and provided backing vocals. She left the band in 2007.
- Nicole Fiorentino (2010-2014) – Nicole was the bassist for The Smashing Pumpkins. She joined the band in 2010 and left in 2014.
A closer look at the current members of The Smashing Pumpkins
Billy Corgan (Vocals, Guitar)
Billy Corgan is the co-founder and primary songwriter of The Smashing Pumpkins. He is known for his distinctive vocals, intense guitar playing, and introspective lyrics. Corgan has been the driving force behind the band’s sound and creative direction throughout its existence.
The oldest child of musician William Dale Corgan (1947-2021) and his wife Martha Louise Maes Corgan Lutz, William Patrick Corgan Jr. was born on March 17, 1967, at Columbus Hospital in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Of Irish and German-Swiss ancestry, he was raised as a Catholic.
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Before divorcing in 1970, his parents welcomed a second son, Ricky. Corgan and his brother moved home with his father’s new wife, a flight attendant, in Glendale Heights, Illinois after his first wife remarried. The accusation made by Corgan is that his stepmother physically and psychologically abused him.
Billy Corgen’s relationship details
Billy Corgan has had multiple relationships to date among which the most relevant ones are down below:
Courtney Love
Billy Corgan and Courtney Love, the lead singer of the band Hole, had a romantic relationship in the mid-1990s. They were both prominent figures in the alternative rock scene and their relationship received significant media attention. Their relationship ended, but they have remained friends over the years.
Yelena Yemchuk
Billy Corgan was in a long-term relationship with Yelena Yemchuk, a Ukrainian-born artist and photographer. They began dating in the late 1990s and were together for several years. Yemchuk’s artwork has been featured in Smashing Pumpkins’ album covers and music videos.
Emilie Autumn
After his relationship with Yelena Yemchuk ended, Billy Corgan was involved with singer-songwriter and musician Emilie Autumn. They were in a relationship for some time in the early 2000s.
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Chloe Mendel
Billy Corgan has been in a relationship with Chloe Mendel, a fashion designer and daughter of fashion designer Gilles Mendel. They started dating in 2012 and have been together since. They have a son and daughter together.
James the-smashing-pumpkins(Guitar, Backing Vocals)
James Iha was one of the original members of The Smashing Pumpkins. He played guitar and provided backing vocals for the band. Iha’s melodic guitar style contributed to the band’s signature sound. He left the band in 2000 but rejoined for their reunion in 2018.
Iha is a native of and was born in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, which he referred to as “a boring, middle-class suburb of Chicago.” Iha received average grades in high school, and, after a successful two-year stint at a local junior college, he majored in graphic design at Loyola University Chicago before dropping out to dedicate himself to the Smashing Pumpkins.
Throughout his career, James Iha has been linked to several females. The Smashing Pumpkins bassist, D’arcy Wretzky, was the subject of a past relationship with him. In the 1990s, the couple dated for a while until calling it quits in 1999.
Following his split with D’arcy, James Iha started dating Karen Elson, a model and actor. The pair dated for numerous years, and at one time, they were even engaged. But in 2009, their romance came to an end.
James Iha Wife and children
James Iha is married to Ashley Iha with whom he has two children. They are Henry who is 6 years old, and Hazel who is only 4 years old.
Jimmy Chamberlin (Drums)
Jimmy Chamberlin is the original drummer for The Smashing Pumpkins. His powerful and intricate drumming style helped define the band’s sound. Chamberlin left the band in 1996 but returned in 1999 and remained with the group until their initial breakup in 2000.
Chamberlin was one of six children born in Joliet, Illinois. His father and older brother Paul both played clarinet and drums in jazz ensembles, and his brother Paul is currently a working rock drummer with a nearby cover band called Chasing Amy.
Chamberlin picked up the drums at age 9. Under the guidance of future Yanni drummer Charlie Adams, his early training included Latin, Brazilian, and big band methods but was mostly jazz-oriented.
Jimmy Chamberlin’s married life
Jimmy Chamberlin has been married to Lori Chamberlin since 2000. The couple has two children together. The couple has two children, a daughter named Audrey, and a son named Lucas.
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Jeff Schroeder (Guitar)
Jeff Schroeder joined The Smashing Pumpkins in 2007 as a touring guitarist and became an official member in 2009. He has since played a significant role in the band’s post-reunion era, contributing to their albums and live performances.
Schroeder started receiving lessons from David Koval (Dakoda Motor Co. and Breakfast with Amy) when he was twelve years old. When he was eighteen, he joined the band Violet Burning, but a few years later, he switched to guitar and became one of the founding members of the shoegazing group the Lassie Foundation. “Pink noise pop” was the group’s style description. From 1996 until the group’s hiatus in 2006, Schroeder played guitar on three full-length albums and toured with them.
His wife and children
He is a married man and he has been married to his long-time girlfriend Jordana Lloyd since 2016. Together they share two children.
