Smashing Pumpkins

obiwankobe · Post by **obiwankobe** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:50 pm

Corgan Plans to Revive Pumpkins

Rob Kleckner and Caroline Bermudez report:
Billy Corgan has made it clear, particularly during the hype surrounding his solo debut, The Future Embrace, that the band he's famous for had smashed their last pumpkin. But what supposedly died on stage at Chicago's Metro on December 2, 2000 may not be lost forever.

Placing a full-page ad in today's Chicago Tribune, Corgan has announced that he wants to kiss and make up with the other three former members of alt-rock juggernaut the Smashing Pumpkins. He says, "For a year now I have walked around with a secret, a secret I chose to keep. But now I want you to be among the first to know that I have made plans to renew and revive the Smashing Pumpkins. I want my band back, and my songs, and my dreams."

There is no further word on whether this is a true reunion or simply Corgan reclaiming the band's name. One would hope he spoke to his bandmates before announcing this decision to the world. Also unclear is what this reincarnation of the Smashing Pumpkins will achieve, be it a comeback tour or a new album. It raises the question of whether the band will become the name of Billy Corgan's future projects, or if the original members will all participate. He insists that his new album "pick up the thread of the as-yet-unfinishsed work and charter of the Smashing Pumpkins."

Formed in Chicago in 1988, the quartet released a string of highly successful albums including Gish, Siamese Dream, and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. During their messy 12-year existence, the Smashing Pumpkins saw the break-up of guitarist James Iha and bassist D'Arcy Wretzky, Corgan's nervous breakdown around the time of Siamese Dream, the death of touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin from a drug overdose, the firing of drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, the exit of Wretzky after Machina, and the entry of former Hole bassist Melissa auf der Maur, before disbanding in 2000.

Since breaking up, Iha has gone on to perform with A Perfect Circle, Chamberlin formed the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, and Corgan created the short-lived Zwan, which released their only album, Mary, Star of the Sea in 2003. Corgan has also written a book of poetry, Blinking With Fists, and The Future Embrace hits stores today.

* Pitchfork Review: Billy Corgan: The Future Embrace
* Billy Corgan: http://www.billycorgan.com/

assholitis · Post by **assholitis** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:04 am

This is kind of cool to hear. Very first band that I ever saw in concert was the Pumpkins with Garbage opening. Smashing Pumpkins were one of the first bands that I really loved to break up. So if a reunion does occur, it'd probably be the biggest of my generation thus far. They had better bring back the entire line up, though. It felt incomplete ending the last show with Melissa Auf der Maur instead of D'arcy.

-kevin

obiwankobe · Post by **obiwankobe** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:43 am

Do you like Melissa on her own now?

assholitis · Post by **assholitis** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 9:11 am

I've only heard Follow the Waves, from Indie, and I think that's a good song. I probably should have clarified, I think Melissa is a great bassist and a great musician in general (I thought she was a really good addition to Hole), but it just felt wrong to end the Smashing Pumpkins with anyone but Billy, Jimmy, D'arcy and James. I know at the time D'arcy had some serious problems with drugs and other issues and I hope she's gotten clear of all that by now, but it still just felt awkward having someone else take her place for their final show. But as far as talent goes, yes, Melissa was more than adequate as a substitute.

-Kevin