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UNBELIEVABLE: 4 | History Defined

“I may not be the absolute best player out there – in fact, I know I’m not! But what I have is an undying love for guitar and heavy metal”: Kiki Wong landed the gig of a lifetime with the Smashing Pumpkins – and she knows she has big shoes to fill

The 35-year-old Instagram shredder was chosen from 10,000 applicants after she’d almost given up on her dream. She opens up on the interview and audition process, bonding with Billy Corgan over Dimebag Darrell, and why getting the guitarist spot was as joyful as giving birth

Guitar World

“I gave up hope on any future tours. I threw together a resume and sent it in, thinking it probably would get lost”: Kiki Wong reveals how she nailed her Smashing Pumpkins audition ahead of 10,000 other candidates

The Instagram shredder was recently announced as the alt-rock icons' newest guitarist following a lengthy worldwide open audition

Guitar World

“My friend called me: ‘You won’t believe this, and it’s probably not gonna happen, but I gave Billy Corgan your number. He might call you, he might not…’” Ginger Pooley reflects on her time with the Smashing Pumpkins – and why she had to give it up

Before she returns to action with Garbage, Ginger Pooley reveals how she went from teenage Pumpkins obsessive to landing the bassist spot alongside Billy Corgan, the challenge of quitting the band she loved, and what she learned along the way

Guitar World

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"In a way, I can hear that song now as the end of an era": Billy Corgan on the Smashing Pumpkins classic that put a stop to one era of the band

Corgan said one Mellon Collie... cut was written to bid farewell to one aspect of the grunge giants' sound

Louder

“It made me realize how grateful I am to have the guitar in my life”: I applied to be the new Smashing Pumpkins guitarist – I didn’t get the gig, but it was one of the most life-affirming experiences of my musical career

Kiki Wong deservedly landed the touring guitarist spot, but applying to join one of my all-time favorite bands reignited my teenage dreams – and Billy Corgan should be commended for offering the opportunity to so many players

Guitar World

“Are these your questions?” When Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan interviewed Nick Cave for MTV at Lollapalooza 1994, it did not go well

Interviewing Nick Cave for MTV in Las Vegas in 1994, Billy Corgan made the mistake of calling the Bad Seeds an English band. It would get worse

Louder

"It’s great that someone of her acumen will be part of our touring family": The Smashing Pumpkins unveil their new guitarist

Billy Corgan's crew put out an open call for a new member in January and they've found the latest addition to their line-up

Metal Hammer

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“I never thought little ol’ 15-year-old me playing metal guitar in my bedroom would amount to this moment”: Smashing Pumpkins name social media shredder Kiki Wong as new guitarist after 10,000 applications

Guitar World

"I never thought little ole 15-year-old me playing metal guitar in my bedroom would amount to this moment": Kiki Wong named as new Smashing Pumpkins guitarist

Vigil Of War guitarist joins the Chicago band after an open audition process that attracted 10,000 applications

MusicRadar

"Adore weaves its dark spell a little bit deeper. It's brooding, gothic and hypnotic in spades": Smashing Pumpkins embrace the sadness but lose fans on Adore

After Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness there was nowhere to go but up for Smashing Pumpkins: Then bad things began to happen

Louder

“The work ethic gifted to me by the Pumpkins helps me get prepared… I’m excited to be playing with these amazing, legendary musicians”: Ex-Smashing Pumpkins bassist Ginger Pooley will join Garbage on their upcoming tour

Garbage will be the latest A-list artist on Pooley’s resume, after stints with The Smashing Pumpkins and Gwen Stefani

Guitar World

"He was drunk out of his mind and he asked me to make out with him": Billy Corgan on how he became a fan of The Cure... and the first time he met Robert Smith

The Smashing Pumpkins frontman and Cure leader went on to become fast friends

Louder

Ten times Billy Corgan collaborated with his heroes

The Smashing Pumpkins leader has racked up some impressive guest spots over the years

Louder

Every The Smashing Pumpkins album ranked from worst to best

The collected studio works of Billy Corgan and company rated and ranked, from the so-so to the smashing

Metal Hammer

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Louder

"Whatever they're on, I want some!" That time Slade's Noddy Holder ran a critical eye over Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis, Nick Cave, Flaming Lips and more

In March 1996, UK music magazine Select asked Slade's Noddy Holder to critique a batch of newly-released singles, with entertaining results

Guitar World

“It's a disgrace to the bass player in me, but it's hard to write on the bass. Playing power chords on a guitar is much easier”: Melissa Auf der Maur looks back on a life in rock

As the bass player for Hole and Smashing Pumpkins Melissa Auf Der Maur helped define the sounds of alternative music in the 90s

Guitar World

“Before me it was classic Fender Jazz, but I showed up with a bunch of Yamaha basses. Billy Corgan was totally cool with that… it’s never been, ‘Do what I say or else’”: How Jack Bates splits his loyalties between Smashing Pumpkins and his dad, Peter Hook

Joy Division’s unique bassist wasn’t originally much of an influence to his son, who doesn’t use pedals with the Pumpkins – but needs to use ancient, unreliable ones with The Light

Guitar World

“There are 8 people working full-time to review each and every one”: The Smashing Pumpkins receive 10,000 submissions for new guitarist role

The alt-rock icons have recruited an entire team to review every single application

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MusicRadar

"As good as D’arcy and James are, it was just going to sound better if Billy played it" – Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, Butch Vig, Flood and more on the Smashing Pumpkins' recording history

Classic interview – From Gish to Zeitgeist, through the eyes of the key players… plus the 11 underrated Pumpkins songs guitarists need to hear

Guitar World

The Smashing Pumpkins are looking for a new guitarist – anyone can apply, but securing the position won’t be easy. Here are 5 things you need to nail to get the gig

Reckon you’ve got what it takes to play alongside Billy Corgan and James Iha? It will take much more than just learning the songs

MusicRadar

Could you be the next Smashing Pumpkins guitarist?

Applications are open now

Metal Hammer

Smashing Pumpkins need a new guitarist and literally everyone's invited to apply

Smashing Pumpkins issue social media announcement saying they're recruiting a new guitar player

Louder

“Flood said, ‘Finish the song or it’s off the record’”: the near-miss story of Smashing Pumpkins’ classic hit 1979

The story of the song that sent Billy Corgan's crew into another realm

Louder

Watch ten rock stars from the 90s in their earlier bands

Warning: contains Tom Morello playing with a Michael Bolton lookalike

Metal Hammer

When you get the call to come play at Disney World, you don't want to play any weird old Smashing Pumpkins songs": Watch "Disney mark" Billy Corgan cover Bing Crosby with Smashing Pumpkins

Ever wondered how Smashing Pumpkins would sound covering a Bing Crosby Christmas song? Wonder no more

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