James Iha

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James Yoshinobu Iha (井葉吉伸) is a Nisei Japanese American musician and fashion designer most famous for his work with the rock band The Smashing Pumpkins.

James Iha Biography

James Iha was born March 26, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is a second generation Japanese American, meaning that at least one of his parents was born in Japan, but he himself was born in the United States. His first language is English and he said in interviews during the Smashing Pumpkins period that he doesn't speak Japanese fluently (though that may have changed as he has been involved in more projects in Japan since the Pumpkins broke up). He attended high school and junior college in Chicago and majored in graphic design at Loyola University before dropping out to devote more time to his musical interests.

Musical Projects

As the rhythm guitarist for The Smashing Pumpkins, James Iha was one of the most notable and influential alternative rock guitarists of the 1990's. After the Pumpkins broke up he spent some time touring with Maynard James Keenan's Tool side project, A Perfect Circle. Iha is also credited for composing the original score for the popular Japanese movie Linda Linda Linda.

Fashion Design

In 2001, James Iha and his friend Isao Izutsu launched the fashion label Vaporize (originally called Vapor). The label is available through Beams in Japan and the clothing designs, include t-shirts and other items based around the type of fashion that James is known for wearing.