Longtime Smashing Pumpkins Member Announces Departure From Band

Smashing Pumpkins' Jeff Schroeder is leaving the band. Though not a founding member, the guitar is the band's second-longest serving member behind only Billy Corgan. He shared the news via Smashing Pumpkins' official Instagram.

"It's easy to say now that when I joined The Smashing Pumpkins in 2007 I had no idea what I was getting into," he admitted in a statement. "The opportunity seemed to have come out of nowhere. I was at UCLA working on my doctorate in comparative literature when a close friend messaged me and said The Smashing Pumpkins were looking for a guitar player. Being a huge fan of the band, the audition was something I threw myself into. It was one of the best decisions I've made in my life."

"The amount of incredible memories created over the last 16 years with the band are almost too numerous to quantify," Schroeder added. "Although it was a very difficult decision to make, I've decided to leave the band to make some space to explore a slightly different path. I want to thank Billy, Jimmy, James, and Jack for being both wonderful bandmates and even better friends. I will absolutely miss sharing the stage with you. I wish the band all the success in the future. I will be watching and listening."

Schroeder joined the band for their Zeitgeist tour and is featured on every album since then, including this year's three-part rock opera ATUM. The remaining members also shared a statement about Schroeder's departure, writing: "We thank Jeff for his ceaseless dedication to the band and our great fans. Words can not express our gratitude and appreciation for the friend he is, and being there for SP in the good times and the tough times, too."

The Pumpkins plan to head out on a co-headlining UK and Ireland tour with Weezer next year, and are reportedly hitting the road with Green Day, though that tour hasn't been officially announced. See both statements below.