(This is an excerpt from a longer interview which will be up closer to June 18.)

by Michael Alan Goldberg

Just got off the phone with guitarist James Iha — who’s probably best known for his long stint in the Smashing Pumpkins — who comes to the TLA on Thursday, June 18th with his new power-pop supergroup, Tinted Windows, which also features singer/keyboardist Taylor Hanson (yes, from that Hanson), drummer Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick), and bassist-vocalist Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne/Ivy). A seemingly unlikely lineup, but here’s some of what Iha had to say about that:

“I guess it’s like, to me, it’s not surprising — I’m a working musician and I work on all different…lots of different kinds of projects. Remixes and producing and working with indie bands. I dunno, I don’t really think of my identity as being just with one band anymore. I feel like the Pumpkins broke up a while ago and it’s just like, I’ve moved on, working on whatever I like and whatever works for me.”

And on the notion of “supergroups”:

“We decided that’s something we’re not gonna call ourselves [laughs]. If somebody else wants to call us that, that’s cool. But it’s definitely a bad idea to throw that term around.”

James weighs in on...

The 2008 presidential election

"Wibbling Rivalry"

Stockholm

Power pop

And of course, some commentary on his beloved canines concludes Iha's week of editing for MAGNET.

Who knew James was into the Southern gothics?

Pumpkins' James Iha in new supergroup

By BLAIR R. FISCHER Contributor

There's a long history of -- for lack of a better word -- "supergroups." These, of course, are bands comprised of musicians with already established pedigrees. Classic examples are Blind Faith and The Travelling Wilburys, while less memorable amalgams include HSAS and The Firm (both the rock and hip-hop versions). Seemingly not a year goes by when one forms, and 2009 marks the debut of one of the odder supergroups: Tinted Windows.

Featuring Taylor Hanson (Hanson) on vocals, Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne, Ivy) on bass, James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins, A Perfect Circle) on guitar, and Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick) on drums, Tinted Windows is arguably the most multigenerational supergroup ever, with Carlos -- for example -- being 32 years Hanson's senior. Says Iha, "We're hoping we're starting a new trend of strange supergroups." The power-pop quartet released its eponymous debut April 21, and is slated to play one of only a handful of club dates April 30 at Chicago's Double Door.

The Pioneer Press spoke with Chicago native Iha -- he is a graduate of Elk Grove Village High School -- best known for his work with the '90s alt-powerhouse Pumpkins. Iha now lives in New York but, he says, "I still come back to Chicago to eat pizza." While reluctant to talk about his days with the Pumpkins or the band's recent reunion, which didn't include him, he confirms he was indeed asked by Corgan to reunite wit…