This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Artist News
Smashing Pumpkins deny blocking D’arcy Wretsky from reunion
By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 13 February 2018
Have we mentioned that the Smashing Pumpkins are reforming? I can’t remember, but it’s a key fact in this story, so consider yourself told. It’s not just Billy Corgan and some random people this time, either. It’s the classic line-up. Well, most of it. Ahead of an official announcement later this week, there’s been some bickering.
Corgan, guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlain have all already been working together again, seemingly on a new album. Details are sparse, aside from some hints on Corgan’s Instagram account and a countdown timer on the band’s official website, which will run down to zero on Thursday. Oh, and the angry war of words with the band’s former bassist D’arcy Wretsky.
Wretsky told BlastEcho last month that she would not be involved in the reunion, claiming in a new interview last week that Corgan had originally invited her to take part and sent her a contract. However, she says, he subsequently rescinded the offer. She also claimed that Iha’s involvement in the new music that’s being recorded by the band was limited.
In a statement responding to this (and thus confirming the reunion before the official announcement of the reunion), the band said that Wretsky hadn’t been blocked from joining. Rather, they said, she has been unwilling.
“In reuniting The Smashing Pumpkins, the band’s dedication remains to its fans and its music”, says the outfit as one. “To that, James Iha, Jimmy Chamberlin and William Corgan haven’t played a show with D’arcy Wretzky for over eighteen years. But it’s not for a lack of trying”.
They continue: “Despite reports, Ms Wretzky has repeatedly been invited out to play with the group, participate in demo sessions, or at the very least, meet face-to-face, and in each and every instance she always deferred. We wish her all the best, and look forward to reconnecting with you all very soon”.
Chamberlain was fired from the band in 1996, following the drug-related death of live keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin. He re-joined in 1999, although Wretsky then left the band shortly afterwards. Iha then followed in 2000, and the band officially split at the end of that year.
Corgan continued to work with Chamberlain on various projects, and in 2006 the pair revived Smashing Pumpkins without their other former bandmates. Since then, Corgan has been by various musicians, the only consistent other member being guitarist Jeff Shroeder, who joined in 2007, and is reportedly involved in the latest incarnation too.
