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DAVE NAVARRO Joins BILLY CORGAN's SPIRITS IN THE SKY

August 19, 2009

Dave Navarro (JANE'S ADDICTION, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS) and Mark Weitz (STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK) have joined the touring lineup of SPIRITS IN THE SKY, the act SMASHING PUMPKINS founder and frontman Billy Corgan assembled last month as a tribute to late SEEDS frontman Sky Saxon. SPIRITS IN THE SKY also includes Mark Tulin of THE ELECTRIC PRUNES and Kerry Brown of CATHERINE AND THE ANCIENT CHINESE SECRETS.

SPIRITS IN THE SKY will play several shows later this month as the "special guests" for Billy's solo Southern California club tour.

Earlier this week, Corgan officially confirmed 19-year-old Mike Byrne as the SMASHING PUMPKINS' new drummer. Online reports speculated that the Portland, Oregon native won the job after Corgan held a number of open auditions, but his recruitment has not been made official until now. Byrne replaces original drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, who was part of the PUMPKINS' 20-year history almost continuously until departing earlier this year.

Corgan said in a statement, "We counted over 1,000 submissions, and what made Mike stand out was he just seemed to have that X-factor that all the great drummers have, a stunning blend of power, speed, and grace. I'm excited to work with him moving forward — he truly deserves this opportunity."

Byrne added about teaming with Corgan, "Working with him is easy in that we're not operating on any founded musical principals. We're starting from scratch and just working our influences up into something totally different."

The drummer will make his recording debut on the next PUMPKINS album, about which a major announcement is expected in September.

The Billy solo shows with SPIRITS IN THE SKY are as follows:

Aug. 26 - Visalia, CA - Tazzaria
Aug. 27 - Santa Barbara, CA - Muddy Waters
Aug. 28 - Long Beach, CA - Open
Aug. 29 - Pioneertown, CA - Pappy & Harriet's Palace
Aug. 30 - San Diego, CA - Che Café
Aug. 31 - Los Angeles, CA - Hotel Café

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