After receiving over 10,000 applications in their nationwide search for a new guitarist, the Smashing Pumpkins revealed Friday the newest member of their band: Social media-famous guitarist Kiki Wong.
In January, the Pumpkins announced an open audition to fill the vacancy left by departing guitarist Jeff Schroeder, who had a 16-year tenure with Billy Corgan and company. Just two weeks later, the band said they received so many applications that it required “eight people working full-time to review each and every one.”
“Reviewing the work of these incredible musicians was a herculean, albeit worthy effort. First off, I really want to thank everyone who submitted materials for consideration,” Corgan said in a statement Friday.
“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.”
The Smashing Pumpkins didn’t exactly pluck their newest member out of obscurity: Previously a guitarist in the Los Angeles band Vigil of War, Wong had roughly 675,000 followers on Instagram and over 1.3 million fans on TikTok even before being recruited by the Pumpkins.
Wong added, “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 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.”
Wong will likely make her debut with the band this summer as the Pumpkins — whose touring lineup is now Corgan, Wong, founding members James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin, keyboardist Katie Cole, and bassist Jack Bates, son of Joy Division/New Order’s Peter Hook — embark on a lengthy stretch of live dates that begins with a European tour with Weezer on June 7 in Birmingham, England. In late July, they’ll return to North America for the Saviors stadium tour alongside Green Day, Rancid, and the Linda Lindas.