Photo: Winter/Getty
Memo for the few Smashing Pumpkins fans who still have a glimmer of hope for the return of original members James Iha and D'Arcy Wretzky: Stop holding your breath. Billy Corgan has posted a lengthy entry on his blog explaining the current status of the Pumpkins. Corgan elaborates on how the current tour is all about "where we are, not where we've been." That comment trickled into a discussion on Iha and Wretzky who, Corgan says, "aren't ever coming back."
"I can now say definitively that they aren't ever coming back. Period.
There is no maybe. If the door was once open to at least have the
conversation and consider the possibility, it is now closed. For good.
We have moved on. We love them, and we wish them well. The Smashing Pumpkins are now whoever is standing on that stage, on any given day, with a willingness to play those songs."
Yep, it's a bummer.
To read Corgan's sprawling post, click here.
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Skyler Danes | March 25, 2009 2:03 PM
SP are my favourite band in the world, but they are no more. You can lose D'arcy, okay. You can lose James, sucks, but okay. Now Jimmy? Nope. Then you say no more old SP tracks. Now you're really finished. Call it what you want Billy, it ain't the Pumpkins. Let it be, let it die in peace. Leave my good memories alone.
It's one thing to play music in your basement and call yourself whatever you want, but when you start signing contracts and earning a living, you have a responsibility to your customers (fans), and they have a right to complain.
Nikole | February 4, 2009 7:55 PM
SP; Zeitgeist... Isn't that great. Ginger Reyes doesn't fit; and it simply isn't the same without James and D'arcy. And we all know he hates them, so. Mhm. He probably just wanted them back for the sake of being famous again. Really famous, like before.
Blue | November 19, 2008 3:17 PM
I have to agree with Rolling Stones report. The pumpkins climaxed with their Mellon collie album, and that's that. Despite the members' sparring and differing musical aesthetics at the time, the result was an album with so much range and raw emotion, and that's what made them amazing. Many of the early songs were cowritten by James Iha and I believe his influence and unique guitar style was a huge contribution.
Now when I hear the new singles on the radio, I hear a few things new that I can appreciate, but mostly just an echo of what once was. Plus, Billy's voice is shot to hell -- nothing like their indie rock days.
Porter | November 13, 2008 12:56 PM
I'm a true, blue, oldschool, to newschool Smashing Pumpkins fan. And I'm here to tell you that yes!! The Pumpkins are dead as they were, but, are reborn and more alive than ever before. James and Darcy were an important part of the sound at the time. The evolution of each musician involved pushes and pulls people in different direcions. As for Billy and Jimmy they still carry the same vision and passion in their hearts for their craft. The drums, and the songwriting/singer, are really the heart and soul of any contemperary to modern rock band anyway. So, its not hard to see why they've maintained a "Pumpkins" identity. But, we will miss the past, while we press foward on, making new memories ,to put away.
Browncoat | November 7, 2008 10:09 AM
I was pretty sure during the first incarnation of the band, before the breakup in 2000, it was undisputed amongst fans and critics alike the the Smashing Pumpkins was not a democracy...that Billy Corgan WAS the Smashing Pumpkins. There was even a webcomic called "Billy the Egomaniac." Where was I when this belief was changed? No, new Pumpkins doesn't have the same appeal as old Pumpkins, but it still sounds like Pumpkins. I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that overall, it's better than what most of what came out of Machina/Machina II.
jcrisan | November 4, 2008 1:29 PM
I'm glad Billy clarified what happened when he and Jimmy decided to reform the Pumpkins. It's been an open question as to whether James and D'Arcy (or even Melissa) were invited back, and I'm glad the question has been definitively answered. My only criticism of Billy's blog is that it sounds like and indirect dissing of Ginger and Jeff to say that SP is now whoever is on stage playing SP songs. Ginger and Jeff (and Lisa) have been touring with SP in this new incarnation and it would have been nice if Billy acknowledged them as members.
At any rate, my daughter and I saw them in Cleveland 11/1 and the show was phenomenal.
Jim Schnobrich | November 4, 2008 12:41 PM
R.I.P. Smashing Pumpkins?
For real, Rolling Stone? Come on.
Georgia | November 4, 2008 11:00 AM
Bummer... no way!
R.I.P. Smashing Pumpkins... absolutely no way!!!
~love~
Jamie Castillo | November 4, 2008 10:34 AM
"I hate him" wahhhh(little baby crying)
Daniel Gooch | November 4, 2008 7:48 AM
Billy Corgan is the Smashing Pumpkins - simple as that.
pfft | November 4, 2008 3:42 AM
It's not a bummer.. the band wouldn't be what they were even if James and D'Arcy returned. They split.. they went their separate ways.. Billy and Jimmy went one way, James went another, and D'Arcy went another way.. where's the shame?
Treat it like a divorce.. they're all better off where they are now rather than being stuck together resenting each other and not getting what they wanted all for the sake of pleasing others.
I love the new pumpkins more.. there's more clarity and focus now. And honestly, even though they were pivotal and I love them, I've heard Zero and Disarm so many times now that I'm ready for something new and exciting and revolutionary.
Whatevs... | November 4, 2008 3:21 AM
Rolling Stone is and always has been a shit publication that wouldn't know good music if it got bit on the ass by it (oh yeah...the "new" SP WILL bite your ass with the power of rock). How can such an old organization be so "noob"? Pft.
pyrocus | November 4, 2008 2:07 AM
RIP my ass! I think the Smashing Pumpkins are better than fucking ever. Has anyone heard Jeff's solo in the new live version of "Heavy Metal Machine?" Iha couldn't fucking play like that, and the interaction and energy that Billy and Jeff have on stage is absolutely amazing.
Jeff | November 4, 2008 12:40 AM
Way to take it out of context. You make it sound like he shut them out completely, when the blog clearly states that he offered for them to come back, but they didn't and won't. The "old"SP fans are an anpmaly to me. It's always been known that Billy was the heart and soul of the Pumpkins, much like Trent Reznor is Nine Inch Nails. Having a bassist & guitarist who weren't a major part of the band's songwriting does not have a massive impact on the music itself, regardless if they were "original members" or not.
Lindsey | November 4, 2008 12:18 AM
The older music is still there, it isn't negated by the new band members.
And, he'll still play old songs, it's just not everything they are anymore.
It isn't "RIP". All the music is still there, and that will never change, even if James and D'Arcy don't want to come back.
Peter | November 4, 2008 12:14 AM
Anon: I agree with what you're saying...I was quite skeptical about it all until I saw the band play as a five-piece in San Francisco summer 07. Id seen SP play 9 times up until that point and this was by far the best performace of theirs. I like that there's a new energy.
Plus...as Billy mentions in his blog, the band hasnt been intact since 96 except for 9 shows in 1999.
RIP Smashing Pumpkins? More like...RIP James and Darcy.
Anonymous | November 4, 2008 12:04 AM
I don't think it's a bummer. Billy's doing whatever the hell he wants, and he's with people who have a desire to play along. I think it's great that him along with other new musicians can have such a fun time, and actually ENJOY, for once (seemingly), playing music together without some sort of grand obligation.
Hell, I've heard Zero and Disarm so many times... I'd rather him play GLOW and Superchrist.
This is just my opinion on the topic.
Bea | November 3, 2008 11:10 PM
He doesn't even want to sing Zero or Disarm... I hate him.