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More Hints That We’re Heading for a Reunion of the Classic Smashing Pumpkins Lineup

[Current intern-in-residence Dorothy Lee has been looking into the prospect of a reunion of the original lineup of the Smashing Pumpkins. – AC]

There has been plenty of speculation about a possible reunion with the original members of The Smashing Pumpkins. Although nothing has been confirmed yet, things are, frankly, looking good. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.

According to Rolling Stone, Billy Corgan was in the middle of recording the follow-up album to 2014’s Monuments to an Elegy, the Pumpkin’s last album, when he had a realization:

I felt like I had exhausted the idea [of the band] on my own. That doesn’t mean I haven’t had help, but I think my interest in working on just the name Smashing Pumpkins is not as interesting to me without original people involved. It doesn’t seem to have the same resonant energy for me. I like to think that if I do any work in the future it would be with them, if possible.

So for the first time in his career, Corgan decided to put aside work on an unfinished album, deciding to work on material for a solo album instead. The album entitled Ogilala was released October 13 under the name “William Patrick Corgan.”

Corgan has also been reconnecting with the band’s original members:

Drummer Jimmy Chamberlin had previously rejoined The Pumpkins in 2006 for three years and again in 2015. According to NME, Chamberlin revealed while speaking to WGN Radio that the band has been talking about playing next year with the original band members.

Guitarist James Iha surprised fans in March 2016 when he joined The Pumpkins on stage at several shows during their In Plainsong tour, playing several songs from Siamese Dream. It was his first time playing with Corgan since 2000. He also played on the song “The Processional” on Corgan’s new solo album Ogilala.

Bassist  D’arcy Wretzky also revealed that she has been asked more than once to rejoin the band and that she would “consider going back.” Corgan has spoken about reconnecting with Wretzky: “I talk to D’arcy all the time. We reconnected, I guess, about a year-and-a-half ago. We talk really regularly. I’m really happy to have her back in my life.”

Adding to the speculation of a possible reunion, Corgan has also announced that he will be forming a new band with guitarist Jeff Schroeder who has been with the band since 2007 and other current touring musicians of The Pumpkins; and that the new band will be “much different than Pumpkins music”.

If the original members of The Smashing Pumpkins do reunite, it will be the first time since 1999 that the original four play together again.

Billy also expressed his feelings about reconnecting with his former bandmates:

I’ll say this and I mean it: If we never play a note together again, that’s OK. I’m way, way more interested in the fact that we have peace with each other. I’ve reached the point in my life where I’m not in a hurry to get to anything. If it’s there, great. If it’s not, cool.

Anyone wanna put money on Coachella next April?

 

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38016 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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