New bassist

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS welcome a new member to the band: bassist Nicole Fiorentino.

The Los Angeles musician has been in such bands as Veruca Salt, Spinerette, Radio Vago, Twilight Sleep and Light FM. The latter group appeared at a Los Angeles benefit concert last November headlined by the Billy Corgan - led band Backwards Clock Society (proceeds from that show went to Laura Masura, the former head of the Smashing Pumpkins fan club who was injured in a motorcycle crash).

Fiorentino will perform with the Pumpkins on their world tour later this year, a trek that will include headline performances at two Summersonic festivals in Japan: August 7 in Tokyo (Marine Stadium) and August 8 in Osaka (Maishima).

Recently, the Pumpkins released - online, for free - the swirling, psychedelicized "Astral Planes," the final song to be issued for the EP TEARGARDEN BY KALEIDYSCOPE VOL.1: SONGS FOR A SAILOR; it is the first of an eventual 11 EPs to be sold in record stores. TEARGARDEN BY KALEIDYSCOPE VOL. 1: SONGS FOR A SAILOR is set for official release on May 25th through Martha's Music/Rocket Science Ventures. This very limited edition collector's EP will be packaged in a beautiful silk - screened wooden box. Each box will contain a 4 - song CD, a vinyl 7" and a hand - carved obelisk from the shadows of the Incan ruins in Machu Picchu.