Smashing Pumpkins Played With James Iha For The First Time In 16 Years In LA

March 28, 2016

The Smashing Pumpkins reunited with the band’s original guitarist James Iha over the weekend during a gig at Los Angeles’ Theatre at Ace Hotel.

Iha joined Jeff Schroeder, Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin to perform several songs including Whir, Mayonaise and Soma.

As Billboard reports, the usually poker-faced Corgan was elated throughout the set declaring, “Today is the greatest day I’ve ever known.” He was obviously very pleased by Iha’s appearance as well as the fact that it was his 48th birthday. During the encore he was appropriately serenaded with a birthday song.

Iha rejoined for that moment as well as for closing song Amarinthine. Throughout the set Corgan and co covered David Bowie, Rolling Stones and Hole.

His inclusion in the set meant that three quarters of the band’s original lineup were standing on stage. The only one missing was original bassist D’Arcy Wretzky.

Iha has not played in the band since 2000, when they broke-up. Corgan and Chamberlin revived the band in 2005, however, Iha has stated that he was never asked to rejoin the band. Since then he’s played with A Perfect Circle, released solo albums and run Scratchie Records with Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne.

Check out the whole set list plus some fan footage from the LA show below.

Watch: Smashing Pumpkins – Soma (Live w/ James Iha)

Watch: Smashing Pumpkins – Whir (Live w/ James Iha)

Smashing Pumpkins At Theatre at Ace Hotel Setlist:

Cardinal Rule

Stumbleine

Tonight, Tonight

The World’s Fair

Space Oddity (David Bowie cover)

Thirty-Three

Jesus, I / Mary Star of the Sea (Zwan)

Mayonaise (with Iha)

Soma (with Iha)

Rocket (with Iha)

Spaceboy (with Iha)

Today (with Iha)

Whir (with Iha)

Disarm (with Iha)

Sorrows (In Blue)

Eye

Saturnine

Identify (Natalie Imbruglia cover)

1979

Stand Inside Your Love

Pinwheels

Lily (My One and Only)

Malibu (Hole cover)

Spaniards