James Iha

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Biography

James Yoshinobu Iha ( Japanese language|Japanese: ????, Iha Yoshinobu ) b. March 26, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois ) is a Japanese American rock musician . He is best known as having been a guitarist and co-founder of the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins and for his electric musical projects of recent years, most notably being a permanent fixture of A Perfect Circle . He was most recently a member of Tinted Windows (band)|Tinted Windows , a 60's/70's inspired group with members of Cheap Trick , Fountains of Wayne and Hanson (band)|Hanson .

He also co-owns independent record label Scratchie Records with Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne and a recording studio with Schlesinger and Andy Chase of Ivy (band)|Ivy called Stratosphere Sound in Manhattan. Bands on the Scratchie label include The Sounds , Albert Hammond Jr. , and Office (band)|Office .

Iha has produced songs, contributed guitar, sung and made remixes for acts the world over from lesser-knowns like L.A.'s Midnight Movies to the Scottish singer Isobel Campbell to Marilyn Manson and Michael Stipe . Iha currently lives in Manhattan .

Early life and background

Iha attended Elk Grove High School (Elk Grove Village, Illinois)|Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove Village , Illinois , which he described as "a boring, middle-class suburb of Chicago."Marks, Craig. , "Zero Worship". Spin Magazine : June 1996. Iha received average grades in high school, and, after a successful two-year stint at a local junior college , he majored in graphic design at Loyola University Chicago before dropping out to dedicate himself to the Smashing Pumpkins .Mundy, Chris. "." Rolling Stone , 1994/04/20.

He is a Nisei|second-generation Japanese-American and is able to speak only a little Japanese.Smashing Pumpkins interview, Japanese TV, 1992. Available on Vieuphoria just prior to the performance of "Slunk."

Like his former bandmate Billy Corgan , Iha has a brother with a disability.

Smashing Pumpkins

In 1987 Iha, then the guitarist for the Chicago band Snake Train, met Billy Corgan via a friend. Corgan had already been telling people he was in a band called "Smashing Pumpkins," and decided to make it a real band with Iha.

Iha later became romantically involved with the band's bassist D'arcy Wretzky , but the couple broke up just prior to the band's performance at the Reading Festival in 1992. After a brief feud between the two, Iha sustained a friendly and close relationship with Wretzky, citing her as a friendship|best friend .

Iha wrote and sang a number of Smashing Pumpkins' songs, such as, "Blew Away" on Pisces Iscariot , "Bugg Superstar" on Vieuphoria , "Take Me Down" on Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness , "...Said Sadly", "Believe", "The Boy", and "The Bells" on The Aeroplane Flies High , "Summer" on the " Perfect (The Smashing Pumpkins song)|Perfect " single and "Go" on Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music . He co-wrote with Billy Corgan " I Am One " on Gish , " Soma (Smashing Pumpkins song)|Soma " and " Mayonaise (song)|Mayonaise " on Siamese Dream , "Plume" on Pisces Iscariot and "Farewell and Goodnight" on Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness . He also sang the band's covers of The Cure 's " The Head on the Door|A Night Like This " and Syd Barrett 's "Terrapin." During his time with the Pumpkins, James also appeared on recordings with other bands, including Ivy (band)|Ivy , to which Adam Schlesinger also contributes, and Swedish New Wave band The Sounds .

Iha was often considered the "quiet one" in Smashing Pumpkins, but he was known to engage in ad-libbed jokes and rap sessions. His humor was encapsulated in his use of the catchphrase, "I've seen a million faces, and I've rocked them all," originally from the Bon Jovi song " Wanted Dead or Alive (Bon Jovi song)|Wanted Dead or Alive ".Smashing Pumpkins. Interview Magazine , February 1996.Iha, James. On-stage banter. Smashing Pumpkins live at the United Center . 2000-11-29.

In 1998, Iha released a moderately successful solo album , Let It Come Down (James Iha album)|Let It Come Down , his only solo effort to date. One music video was produced from this album, for the song " Be Strong Now ", which was also released as a four-track single (music)|single .

When his former bandmates Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin revived the "Smashing Pumpkins" name, James did not participate, and in fact has not spoken to Corgan in years. Corgan stated in a 2008 blog entry that when he and Chamberlin reunited, the "door was open" for Iha to rejoin, but he declined, and Corgan said that he "can now say definitively that Iha isn't ever coming back."

Post-Pumpkins work

2001–2004: A Perfect Circle, producing, Japan

Since the Pumpkins' breakup in 2000, Iha has pursued many projects. He continues to contribute to other artists' recordings, such as "Don't Be Sad" on Whiskeytown 's Pneumonia (album)|Pneumonia released in 2001 and further guest appearances for bands Ivy (band)|Ivy and Fountains of Wayne , both of which he remained close to, appearing on virtually every release by both bands since 1997. Andy Chase of Ivy, and Adam Schlesinger of both Ivy and Fountains, appeared on most songs James produced or wrote for other artists. Schlesinger first appeared on Iha's song on " Thirty-Three (song)|The Bells " by The Smashing Pumpkins .

Iha made bigger news when he joined the alternative rock supergroup A Perfect Circle in July 2003 in time for their Thirteenth Step club tour. He has since appeared on their 2004 album eMOTIVe as well as contributed remixes of Blue and Outsider , and is back with the band following its near 6 year long hiatus. In 2003, he joined Vanessa and the O's . The group released an Extended play|EP Plus Rien in Sweden the same year and followed up with the album ''La Ballade d'O in 2005–2006 on the bands Independent record company|own label RushmoreRecordings playing live shows in Sweden during the summer of 2005.

More recently, Iha has collaborated on musical and fashion design projects in Japan. He collaborated on and produced two tracks with Japanese musician Chara (singer)|Chara for her 2001 album Chara (singer)#Albums|Madrigal called "Boku ni Utsushite" and "Skirt." The latter was accompanied by a music video featuring Iha as a hunter in a forest. With the help of longtime friend and manager Isao Izutsu , Iha also started the clothing label Vapor in 2001, and recorded "Never Ever," his first solo song since the Smashing Pumpkins 's demise for Vapor's first runway show.

In 2001 James played live with The Blank Theory and appeared on their album Beyond the Calm of the Corridor producing the song "Addicted" together with Schlesinger and contributing guitar playing.

2005–2007: Soundtracks, collaborations, remixes

In 2004, A Perfect Circle went on hiatus and James spent much of the year Disc jockey|DJing exclusive parties in New York.

Iha scored the Japanese film Linda, Linda, Linda , released in late summer of 2005. The same year he teamed with Adam Schlesinger|Schlesinger again to produce a duet cover of Bobby Darin 's " Splish Splash (song)|Splish Splash " for the film soundtrack|soundtrack to the Wayne Wang film Because of Winn-Dixie . The same year Iha contributed guitar to some tracks of Chino Moreno 's band Team Sleep sophomore album, which has yet to be released.

Iha produced two tracks on the 2006 tribute album to Serge Gainsbourg , Monsieur Gainsbourg Revisited , "I love you (me either)," that featured Cat Power and model Karen Elson singing and "L'Hotel" with Michael Stipe on vocals. Iha also appeared on the track "The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde (film)|Bonnie and Clyde " in a duet s with singer Kazu Makino (of Blonde Redhead ) on the US edition of the album.

In February 2006, a digital Extended play|EP " In the Sun (Joseph Arthur song)|In the Sun " produced by Iha featuring Michael Stipe and Chris Martin was released. The Extended play|EP was for the benefit of Gulf Coast victims of Hurricane Katrina . The song was featured on an episode of '' Grey's Anatomy .'' Also in collaboration with Michael Stipe , Iha played guitar at the "Bring 'Em Back Home Now" concert in March 2006 in New York City to benefit Iraq War veteran|Iraq war veteran s peace groups such as Iraq War Veterans for Peace|Veterans for Peace .

Iha remixed "Me Plus One," a track from Norwegian people|Norwegian pop singer Annie (Norwegian singer)|Annie 's highly successful debut album Anniemal. Released in October 2006, Florida pop group The Postmarks 's "Goodbye" Extended play|EP also features a remix by Iha. That same year, Iha teamed up with Adam Schlesinger|Schlesinger to co-produce folk band America (band)|America 's comeback album, Here & Now (America album)|Here & Now , and appeared on Scottish singer Isobel Campbell 's album, collaborating on her renditions of traditional Irish and Scottish folk songs. In 2006 also James Iha recorded a cover of "Judy Is a Punk" by The Ramones for 30th anniversary of a Japanese clothing label Beams .

In February 2007, Side-Line announced that James Iha delivered a remix for the Ladytron Single (music)|single "Weekend Mixes" out on March 9 via Smoke & Mirrors. In April 2007, he recorded remix for the Midnight Movies track "Patient Eye." New Midnight Movies - "Patient Eye (James Iha Remix)" - Stereogum

Iha appeared on stage with Swedish band The Sounds , on the season finale of MTV 's '' Bam's Unholy Union '' in April 2007 and contributed guitar to the song "Seatbacks and Traytables", on Fountains of Wayne 's 2007 album Traffic and Weather . His former bandmate Melissa Auf der Maur also contributed to that album.

2007–present: Solo album, return to A Perfect Circle

In the spring of 2007, Iha told Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone magazine that he was writing and recording songs for a second solo album . In the spring of 2007, Iha released remixes of songs by the little-known pop groups Midnight Movies and The Postmarks as freebies on the Internet., Stereogum
New Midnight Movies - "Patient Eye (James Iha Remix)", Stereogum "Quit Your Day Job": The Postmarks A Chicago weekly reported in June 2007 that Iha had been living in New York City for some time, running a recording studio and independent label.

Also in 2007, the Smashing Pumpkins reunited without Iha, and Billy Corgan has claimed at various times that this was because Iha had never expressed any interest in rejoining the group.

In May 2008, Marilyn Manson said that Iha would be making a guest appearance on his The High End of Low|new record ; however, Iha was not credited as a guitarist on the album.

On December 22, 2008, the Swedish band A Camp put out a press release announcing that their new album would come out on April 28, 2009 in the US but, in early winter 2009 in select countries, featuring guest appearances by Iha and other musicians.

On February 17, 2009, it was announced that James Iha has, together with Taylor Hanson , Fountains Of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger , and Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos formed a new band called Tinted Windows (band)|Tinted Windows . The band played their first publicized gig at SXSW in Austin, Texas on March 20. Their first album was released on April 21, 2009 to generally positive reviews., Iha, Carlos, Hanson, Schlesinger Form Band

In April 2010, the official James Iha Web site reopened. According to the site, Iha considers his next solo album "halfway done (in his mind)." Shortly thereafter, a picture of James Iha with Kelly Pratt (musician)|Kelly Pratt and Jon Natchez from the band Beirut was posted on the Web site saying they would be playing horns on the album. http://jamesiha.com/ "News"

In August 2010, members of A Perfect Circle posted messages to their Twitter accounts telling fans of their return after a 6 year long hiatus. The band later announced tour dates in which they would be playing the entirety of each of their three albums at each concert, with one album being played per night. It was also announced that the line-up would consist of Maynard James Keenan, Billy Howerdel, Josh Freese, Matt McJunkins, and James Iha.

In December 2011, EMI Japan's web site announced that Iha will perform at the 2nd EMI ROCKS festival in February 2012 in Saitama, Saitama|Saitama , Japan . His first album, Let It Come Down (James Iha album)|Let it Come Down , will also be digitally remastered and re-released on February 15, 2012, with the accompanying singles' B-sides as bonus tracks, and his 2nd solo is slated for release in March 2012. http://www.emimusic.jp/artist/jamesiha/ James Iha on EMI Music Japan (Japanese). Retrieved 2011-12-22

Iha has lived in Manhattan since 2000.

Discography

1990 - 2000 - All in your hands (not accredited)

1991 - Gish (with The Smashing Pumpkins)

1991 - Lull (EP)|Lull (with The Smashing Pumpkins)

1993 - Siamese Dream (with The Smashing Pumpkins)

1994 - Pisces Iscariot (with The Smashing Pumpkins)

1994 - Earphoria (with The Smashing Pumpkins)

1995 - Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness (with The Smashing Pumpkins)

1996 - The Aeroplane Flies High (with The Smashing Pumpkins)

1997 - Apartment Life (with Ivy) (Guest only)

1998 - Let It Come Down (James Iha album)|Let it Come Down (solo album)

1998 - Adore (The Smashing Pumpkins album)|Adore (with The Smashing Pumpkins)

2000 - Machina/The Machines Of God (with The Smashing Pumpkins)

2000 - Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music (with The Smashing Pumpkins)

2001 - Long Distance (Ivy album)|Long Distance (with Ivy) (Guest only)

2001 - Pneumonia (album)|Pneumonia (with Whiskeytown)

2001 - Rotten Apples (with The Smashing Pumpkins)

2003 - '' La Ballade d'O '' (with Vanessa and the O's)

2003 - Welcome Interstate Managers (with Fountains Of Wayne) (Guest only)

2003 - Wonderfully Nothing (with Brookville)

2004 - Auf der Maur (album)|Auf der Maur (with Melissa Auf der Maur)

2004 - Emotive (album)|eMOTIVe (with A Perfect Circle)

2004 - aMotion (with A Perfect Circle)

2005 - Because of Winn-Dixie (film)|Because of Winn-Dixie soundtrack (with Adam Schlesinger on track 5 only)

2005 - In the Clear (with Ivy) (Guest only)

2005 - Rarities and B-Sides (The Smashing Pumpkins album)|Rarities and B-Sides (with The Smashing Pumpkins)

2005 - Linda Linda Linda#Soundtrack|Linda Linda Linda soundtrack (movie by Nobuhiro Yamashita)

2006 - Milkwhite Sheets (with Isobel Campbell)

2007 - Traffic and Weather (with Fountains Of Wayne) (Guest on Seatbacks and Traytables)

2009 - Colonia (A Camp album)|Colonia (with A Camp)

2009 - Tinted Windows (album)|Tinted Windows (with Tinted Windows)

Videography

1994 - Vieuphoria (VHS)

2001 - Smashing Pumpkins - Greatest Hits Video Collection (DVD)

2005 - Charlie Charlie (Videoclip by Vanessa and the O's)

Smashing Pumpkins songs written, co-written or covered by Iha

Written by James Iha

"Wave Song" from Mashed Potatoes

"Blew Away" from Pisces Iscariot

"Why Am I So Tired? " from Vieuphoria and Earphoria

"Bugg Superstar" from Vieuphoria and Earphoria

"Take Me Down" from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

"Farewell and Goodnight" from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness www.bmi.com. Access date: November 30, 2011.

"...Said Sadly" from The Aeroplane Flies High

"Believe" from The Aeroplane Flies High

"The Boy" from The Aeroplane Flies High

"The Bells" from The Aeroplane Flies High

"Summer" from the " Perfect (The Smashing Pumpkins song)|Perfect " single

"Go" on Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music

Co-written with Billy Corgan

" I Am One " from Gish

" Soma (Smashing Pumpkins song)|Soma " and " Mayonaise (song)|Mayonaise " from Siamese Dream

"Plume" from Pisces Iscariot

"Tribute to Johnny" from "The Aeroplane Flies High"

Covers sung by Iha

Syd Barrett 's " Terrapin (song)|Terrapin " from I Am One

The Cure 's "A Night Like This" from The Aeroplane Flies High

Tom Waits 's " Ol' '55 " (performed live in 1999 at the Bridge School Benefit concerts)

The Human League 's " Don't You Want Me " (performed live as a duet with Melissa Auf der Maur in 2000 tour)

David Bowie 's " Kooks (song)|Kooks " (performed live in 1993), Siva - The Smashing Pumpkins Web Site: Songs - Kooks

Equipment

Guitars

Fender Jazzmaster (as seen on Zero video)

1980s Les Paul Custom

1984 Ebony Gibson Les Paul Custom

Gibson Flying V

Gibson SG-Custom (1980s)

Gibson SG Les Paul Custom 30th Anniversary (1991)

Rickenbacker 360

Fender Bronco

Fender Telecaster

1960s Teisco K2L (as seen in Rocket video)

Amplifiers

Fender Twin Reverb Amp

Marshall JMP-1 Pre-Amp

Mesa-Boogie Tri-Axis

Orange Overdrive 120 Head & Cab

Effects

DigiTech DHP-55 Harmony Processor

DigiTech GSP2101 Effects Processor

EBow

Electro Harmonix Electric Mistress (18v Version)

Electro Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man

Electro Harmonix Small Stone Phaser

Eventide H3000 Harmonizer

SustainPunch Creamy Dreamer Pedal

Other

DR Hi-Beam Nickel-Plated Strings

Jim Dunlop 1.0 millimeter tortex pics

Pedal-cast Extender

Copyright Citations

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1. Neal Casal 2. Fulflej 3. Serge Gainsbourg 4. Whiskeytown 5. The Sounds 6. Danny Lohner 7. Billy Corgan 8. Taylor Hanson 9. In The Clear 10. Isobel Campbell 11. The Blank Theory 12. Smashing Pumpkins

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