Ginger Pooley

Ginger Pooley
Pooley performing with The Smashing Pumpkins on May 24, 2007 at Luxembourg
Background information
Birth name	Ginger Reyes
Also known as	Ginger Sling
Born	April 22, 1977 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres	Indie pop, pop-punk, alternative rock
Occupation(s)	Musician (guitarist, bassist, singer)
Instruments	Bass, guitar, vocals
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Pineapple Heart
Associated acts	The Smashing Pumpkins, Ginger Sling, Halo Friendlies, Lo-Ball
Website	www.gingersling.net

Ginger A. Pooley (née Reyes; born April 22, 1977), also known by her stage name as Ginger Sling, is an American rock musician, best known as a former touring bassist and backing vocalist for the Chicago alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins.^[1] She is also a solo artist, and was a bassist of the California pop-punk band the Halo Friendlies.^[2]

Early life and education

Reyes was born in Chicago, Illinois, of Peruvian ancestry. She has had a long musical career, playing in bands and writing songs since her freshman year in high school. Her first band was the Israelites, a Christian ska band from La Crescenta, California. She later replaced Cheryl Hecht as the bassist for the all girl pop-punk band the Halo Friendlies. She attended UCLA from 1998 to 2000 and has a degree in history.

Career

The 2004 music video for her song "Faith" was directed by Djay Brawner. In 2004, she released a five track EP entitled Room EP off of the record label Pineapple Heart Records. In 2005, she released another EP entitled Laguna Beach Demos, once again off of the label Pineapple Heart Records.

The Smashing Pumpkins

Reyes onstage

On April 6, 2007 rock rumor website Buddyhead reported that Ginger Reyes was the new bassist for The Smashing Pumpkins,^[3] replacing former bassists D'arcy Wretzky and Melissa Auf der Maur, in the new line-up.

Reyes has taken part in three Smashing Pumpkins music videos: "Tarantula", "That's the Way (My Love Is)" and "G.L.O.W."

In March 2010, Pooley left The Smashing Pumpkins to focus on her family, stating:^[4]

“

With sorrow and yet with much thankfulness for the opportunity to have played in the Pumpkins, I am sad to say that I can no longer tour with the Pumpkins. Although I've been blessed beyond belief over the past few years through playing with the Pumpkins, my priority now is to keep our little family unit together, which includes my husband and my baby.

”

Ginger made a guest appearance during the Smashing Pumpkins' Record Store Day performance on April 17, 2010 in Hollywood, CA. She briefly returned to her duties and played bass during the rendition of "Bullet with Butterfly Wings".^[5] She also played bass for Glee Live in 2010 and 2011 and is working on a solo EP.^[6]

Personal life

During The Smashing Pumpkins' concert on February 16, 2008, at the O2 Arena in London, Billy Corgan announced that Reyes had recently become engaged. She married Kristopher Pooley June 22, 2008, in Los Angeles. Kris is a professional musician who toured as Gwen Stefani's keyboardist and joined the Smashing Pumpkins on their 2008 20th Anniversary tour.

On April 6, 2009, it was announced on The Smashing Pumpkins' official website that Ginger and her husband Kris were expecting their first child later that year. It was announced via Twitter that on October 17, 2009, she gave birth to a baby girl, Talula Victoria Pooley.

References

1. utr.co.nz. "The Smashing Pumpkins Reveal New Lineup". Retrieved 2007-10-25.
2. Ginger Sling. "Ginger Sling". Retrieved 2007-10-25.
3. Buddyhead. "Gossip 04.06.07". Archived from the original on 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2007-10-25.
4. Keith Phipps (2010-03-09). "Help Wanted: Pumpkins". The A.V. Club.
5. "Smashing Pumpkins "bullet with butterfly wings" 2010 (record store day!)". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
6. "Ginger Pooley Gleeful about Baby « Hipsters United". Blog.hipstersunited.com. 2010-11-15. Retrieved 2012-02-21.

External links

• Ginger Sling MySpace
• Bass Player Magazine interview with Ginger Reyes
• Ginger Reyes on Fender.com