1.1 Who are these Smashing Pumpkins?

The Smashing Pumpkins were perhaps one of the most successful "alternative"
bands of the 1990's and 2000. Chances are, if you ever watched MTV or listened 
to the radio more than once or twice, you'd have seen one of their videos or 
heard one of their songs. 

In 1988, when the band first began, their lineup consisted of Billy Corgan on 
lead vocals & guitar, James Iha on guitar, Jimmy Chamberlin on drums, and 
D'Arcy Wretzky on bass. Over the years, the band's configuration changed, with  
two members leaving and one then rejoining the band. The nucleus, James Iha 
and Billy Corgan (the two that originally formed the band) were always together 
during that time.

As of their final tour pre-breakup, the band's lineup looked like this:
Billy Corgan on lead vocals & guitar, James Iha on guitar, Jimmy Chamberlin on 
drums and Melissa Auf der Maur (formerly of Hole) on bass. (Please see section 
3.3a for more information on past members.)

After re-forming in 2006/7, the lineup included original members Billy and
Jimmy, plus new guitarist Jeff Schroeder, bassist Ginger Reyes, and keyboardist
Lisa Harriton. Eventually everyone but Billy and Jeff left the band, and the
next line up (2010-13) included Nicole Fiorentino on bass and Mike Byrne on
drums. As of 2014, Billy and Jeff are the only known "permanent" members, and
are working in the studio on 2 new albums.

The Pumpkins have won many awards during their careers, gone on several major 
tours, appeared on a few movie soundtracks, and released a huge number of songs
in a fairly short time.  Keep on reading for tons of info!