New Smashing Pumpkins guitarist Kiki Wong speaks out after first reveals with band

Kiki Wong, the brand new guitarist in The Smashing Pumpkins, has spoken concerning the “mind-blowing” expertise of taking part in her first reveals with the band during the last week.

In April, the band introduced Wong as their new guitarist, after conducting a search that noticed them obtain over 10,000 public functions for the position.

The place got here up after longtime guitarist Jeff Schroeder introduced he was leaving the band final October. After narrowing down the functions, a small group of finalists auditioned in individual in Los Angeles in March, with Wong popping out on high.

Final Friday (June 7), the band kicked off their joint UK tour with Weezer in Birmingham. Their set included a canopy of U2’s ‘Zoo Station’, in what was Wong’s first full present with the band.

Shortly after the present, she shared her ideas concerning the expertise on Instagram. “What an absolute mind-blowing expertise it was,” she mentioned.

“I’m so overwhelmed with pleasure,” she added. “It was such an honor to play my first enviornment on guitar with such an unbelievable group of musicians. Somebody pinch me, truly don’t as a result of I need to preserve dwelling this dream.”

Wong is a veteran session musician and high-profile YouTuber, and performed with Taylor Swift on the 2014 VMA’s, Usher at CBS’s Style Rocks Fall 2014 and was the lead guitarist for Bret Michaels in a business for Nissan. She has additionally carried out with rock bands Nylon Pink, Hellfire Coronary heart, and presently, Vigil of Struggle.

Frontman Billy Corgan has mentioned: “I used to be a fan of Kiki’s earlier than she submitted her title to be thought-about – and it’s nice that somebody of her acumen will probably be a part of our touring household. I can’t wait to hit the highway with Kiki as a part of our mad circus. It’s undoubtedly an thrilling second for The Smashing Pumpkins to be this busy with touring in 2024. We’ll see you all this summer time!”

Wong added: “It’s been an absolute wild trip, however I’m past honoured and humbled to be chosen to carry out alongside a few of rock’s biggest and most influential musicians of all time.”

She continued: “I by no means thought little ole 15-year-old me taking part in steel guitar in my bed room would quantity to this second. It goes to indicate onerous work and perseverance actually pays off in the event you’re keen to push via the powerful stuff, so by no means lose hope on the market. I’m so grateful for this chance and might’t wait to share the stage with the legendary Smashing Pumpkins!”