1 post and Im gone……Gish was OK…Siamese Dream, And Melon Collie are awsome…anything after that SUCKS!!!!! No Iha, and No D’arcy = No Smashing Pumkins, just Corgan whaling and whining.

uh “brendon from peru” James Iha contributed a lot more to the band then Jimmy ever did. In fact the pumpkins orginally weren’t going to have a drummer. Without James and D’arcy the pumpkins would be nothing more than a thought in Billy’s head. so shut up and learn your history.

wtf? come back Iha! at elast three original memebers should be in it! i’d love 4 d’arcy to, but i don’t care about her as much.

Zeitgeist has grown on me recently after all. American gothic beacme a classic the day it was issued. Nice stuff, looking forward to hearing future efforts of the band.

I don’t even know how they can call themselves Smashing Pumpkins without half of the band (D’arcy and James). I never really liked any of their stuff after D’arcy left anyway. Melancholy was their last good album, and half the songs on that sucked. Siamese Dream was their last great album

The apologist fanboys need to realise that yes, the Bald One is indeed fallible. Zeitgeist was fine musically. Lyrically, well… His religious views are seeping into the music and it is quite offputting. Check out interviews from the AOL Sessions, it kind of reminded me of the Tom Cruise Scientology video. Jimmy’s thoughtless echoing of BC’s ideas was disappointing and a little creepy. Most telling of all is when BC says something to the effect of “We chose people with the same mindset” for the new look SP. In otherwords, “mindless doppelgangers” as RS so aptly put it.

I agree that Ginger and Jeff are a bit…ordinary. But if you think about it, I think that’s Billy’s reason for casting them in the touring lineup anyway. To me, Pumpkins 2.0 is BC/JC and the rest are just there to play instruments.
Everyone knows that Billy likes his creative control. Now I don’t see this as a bad thing, don’t get me wrong, that’s part of the reason why I love the guy so much. Most likely, Billy wanted them because they’re young and naive enough to join without a second thought, and probably don’t even care that they don’t have any creative say, because it’s probable that they don’t.

As for Zeitgeist, I wouldn’t say it sucks, it’s decent, the songs are catchy but that’s about as far as it goes for me. You’ve got to admit, though, Jimmy’s drumming is fucking badass and Billy’s voice sounds great. I’m just glad to have them back and playing the old shit.

zeitgeist is a piece of shit album. Billy corgan should be ashamed. As for Iha , he was a huge part of SP. jeff schroeder and ginger reyes both suck. and contribute nothing. i hate the new album. i bought it than tried to like it and ended up selling it. The album is filled with fake angst. Whats with their stupid song “united states” and billy singing “whooo” just awful. And the album cover. Give me a break this is sooooo bad. Every album they did before this was awesome. This album has just ruined the Smashing Pumpkins legacy.

I saw the original line-up in 96 with Garbage opening up at the US Air Arena, WDC. The Smashng Pumpkins blew me away…Simply awesome, great tone/showmanship and the fact they were playing their songs live. I missed that….period…Toast to the SP

hahaha EMO CRAP, lols go go go james

From Indonesian SP biggest fan, i really sock and happy that the great band in the world is back!!

I have been a Smashing Pumpkins fan through and through since Gish. I am now 27 years old and I could not believe it when I heard that Billy was bringing back the Pumpkins. I was a bit disappointed that D’arcy and James wouldn’t be back, however I was THRILLED to hear Jeff Schroeder and Ginger Reyes were joining the band. I have been into both artists and their previous bands since the mid 90s. Ginger played in a ska band The Israelites and then in the all girl punk band The Halo Friendlies beforing making a couple cool solo cds that got some buzz. Jeff played in the Violet Burning and then joined The Lassie Foundation, two bands I’ve been into for over 10 years. Let me say this right now, JEFF Schroeder IS DAMN BETTER THAN JAMES IHA. I had heard rumors that Billy had been seen at several Lassie Foundation shows in the past year and I had heard rumors he was talking to Jeff about playing with the Pumpkins. I knew Jeff would be a good fit because he is an excellent musician and I’m sure he suggested Ginger as a bassist. Anyways, to be honest I wasn’t too thrilled when I first heard “Tarantula” … I thought the mix sounded a bit funny. Then I bought the album and aside from the personal mixing concern, I wasn’t disappointed with the end product. Zeitgeist is a really solid album and does not sound ANYTHING like Zwan. Nothing! I think these songs bring back an edge to the current fading music scene (which is emo-crap) and I think there were a lot better picks for a single than Tarantuala, but again that’s my opinion. Im going to see them in 2 weeks in Dallas and I’m stoked. I can’t wait to see Jeff rip into his guitar solos along with Billy. Jimmy is an amazing drummer and Ginger is a good musician, along with being a great accessory to the band; not “glossy plastic” looking or whatever the comment was below. She’s hot, deal with it. That’s my 2 cents.

i find it funny how average people know nothing about the value of production. Yes, Billy Corgan wrote nearly 100% of Smashing Pumpkins’ material, but –aside from Siamese Dream– the rest of the band has always, ALWAYS said time and time… and time… AND TIME again how they ALWAYS gave their input and put their own impression on the records. For a while there Billy ACTUALLY cared about what the band had to say, how they felt about the records, and what direction they wanted the album to go. Writing the song is only step #1 in a journey that is actually making a song. I’ve written several songs myself… does that mean i’m amazing? hell no. Why does Butch Vig or Flood never get the credit they deserve?

You people are so wrong. So so wrong. Well some are right. James Iha was Billy’s friend, and helped write 10 songs with billy, while Billy wrote all the other 130 or so songs(Aeroplane flies high anyone?). I just saw the Pumpkins this week and I will tell you firsthand, being the biggest SP fan since Siamese, I didn’t even notice that it was a different guitar player. I mean, of course I did, but Schroeder is an awesome guitar player. YOu should have seen them play Starla with double guitar solos! It was like Jeff was in the band the whole time. Sure D’arcy created a balance between James and Billy, but now that James is not talking to billy(and we all know billy can be a control freak, but he has a vision and you idiots need to respect that)D’arcy is useless. That is why they got Melissa on the last tour. Easily replaced. AND IT DOESNT SOUND ANYTHING LIKE ZWAN!NOTHING! Zwan was such light pop-rock compared to SP and anyone who says that the new Sp sounds like zwan never listened to the zwan cd. I know it is hard to listen to. Billys solo is much better. But you idiots need to realize that there has been a 7 year break, Of course it will be slightly different, and we thought it would never happen, but now it has. ANd Zeitgeist rocks as hard as anything off the zero single or any of the loud songs on mellon collie. We could have just had no new pumpkins and no chances to see them live again. Is that better? NO! It isnt! Billy realized that he is best as the pumpkins, and he is like trent is to NIN. He has a great drummer, and it doesnt matter who are the musicians. Look at NIN. New band members every tour. Same with Queens of the stone age. Same with any band that has a creative genius at the helm. Get over it, James isnt coming back, and the new album is as different as any of the other albums are to eachother. Idiots. Stupid Idiots you are. Are you down with the mighty SP? I am. You should be too. Or you can go listen to my Chemical Crappants, your choice. Idiots.

i am one of smashing pumpkins and james iha fans, from philippines, now i heard their zeitgeist album, i loved the melody in neverlost sounds like iha’s in blue away, bring the light and tarantula wow, its really smashing pumpkins sound, right? without the arcy and james iha, they can still be a band, but no ones can replace the two, james will be releasing his 2nd album next year, cant wait to grab that one… hope the band will still reunite we dunno when… thabks and more power http://myspace.com/alantooth

Let’s get serious…perhaps James contributed slightly to the original Pumpkins’ sound and music, but to say that the new SP is incomplete without James is ridiculous. There are a million guitarists out there who could do what James did while he was in the Pumpkins…he should consider himself extremely lucky that he got in with this band, because if he hadn’t, James Iha would be nobody. And D’ARCY?!?! Give me a break. Billy just seems to have something for pretty female bassists.

Oh Kevin with your comments on

Iha being an ‘Asian Nerd’.

Here’s my reply back =You are one shallow ‘JACKASS DUDE’

I must say a few tracks in ‘Zeitgeist’ sounded like Zwan. Indeed this has alot to do with Billy being the only one doing everything. And I strongly believe ‘Zeitgeist’ will sound different if Iha included. Well Billy hopefully you will grow up with your age soon.

Fait Accompli

Sure, James and D’Arcy we great, but they’re gone and want nothing to do with the band as of now. Maybe some day they’ll come back, but right this second, it doesn’t look likely. Each of them have their own set of problems and issues. But, you still have to appreciate the members who are in the band as of current. They might have a different sound now, but when has a SP album sounded exactly like the one before it?

Its no big secret now that the album is out, only on the cover will you find the words smashing pumpkins. There seems to be an underlying theme and its all about Billy. Zwan was alright, maybe he had something to prove, but this new breed of pumpkins must have been inbred. Without James and Darcy and their creative input we are left listening to an incomplete album.

I disagree. The tension that caused the creativity of the original SP came from Billy & D’arcy. SP is NOT SP w/o James and D’arcy.Having said that, I’m trying hard! I loved the pumpkins and have been waiting a LONG time for the reunion. I suspect the band will change again…the new sound is good…but something is not quite right.

why is everyone freakin out about james and d arcy..tho i will admit they were part of the look..but 95% of the pumpkins is billy and jimmy..no let me correct myself..99% is billy and jimmy..oh how many songs that d arcy or james did made it for the pumpkins? billy just got rid of accest baggage and realize from the start this was his band..what about the time james jamed with billy left for a few months then come back,,stop hating..p.s..i will always love james and d arcy as the original pumpkins but the music and writing is still great..oh what..james and d arcy had something to do with the pumpkins look and sound? i think not!

I agree. Something is missing without James Iha. Taranula sounds to fabricated. I haven’t really heard the entire album, I’m scared to be disappointed. But I’ll always be a pumpkins loyalist

Hi,

after listening to ‘Zeitgeist’ for a while, I have to say that it takes some time to get familiar with this album (and I also realized, that there’s no Jeff Schroeder on the album
(See my post below)

So here’s my opinion after listening to Zeitgeist for a few more times:

it’s not as brilliant as what SP used to do about 10 Years ago, but it really is one additional masterpiece from SP, that you can choose from, when you want to listen to great music.

With listening to Zeitgeist, I’ve learned one lesson: first I was disappointed, because I was remembering my favorite SP Songs (e.g. ‘Disarm’ ‘SIYL’, ‘TEITBITE’, ‘1979′). But would you really expect the same songs and style again - seven years later?

So I’m happy to see a progress in the Music of SP. And I’m happy to listen to Zeitgeist again and again.

Growing up listening to the Smashing Pumpkins, I thought it was cool when they played at the Late Show with David Letterman recently. It was nice to relive my youth, but it didn’t bring back anything that I remembered about what Smashing Pumpkins used to be while I was listening to them. The new SP lost their edginess, down to earth, band that you could relate to; now, they sound and look like a manufactured band with their new, glossy, plastic surgery model-looking members and songs that sound like they were carried over from Zwane not from the original Smashing Pumpkins. Bring back James Iha, and Melissa (cuz everyone knows D’arcy is D’arcy) and the creative tension will produce the true Smashing Pumpkins which was the reason why the original band was a smashing hit! Calling the new band Smashing Pumpkins is like painting the ceiling blue and calling it the sky.

Has any one here realized that Ginger and Jeff did not play atall on this new record , they are just hired guns for live shows.

Billy states on the sleeve notes ( Jimmy Chamberline Drums ,Billy Corgan everything else)When this tours over they will be fucked!!”

@Accolade: Um, James Iha did co-write two of the best songs on Siamese Dream: Mayonnaise and Soma. An average guitarist? I think not. Yeah, his solo album sucked, but all that proved was that he couldn’t sing for shit.

James Iha is an average guitarist who did nothing but milk off the writing and guitar talent of Billy Corgan. His involvement with A Perfect Circle showed he was nothing more but a live guitarist for sale. His solo efforts to date have been nothing short of a dismal failure. He went out of his way to break up the Pumpkins in the first place and is nothing but an arrogant leech who profits from true artistic and creative talents. He started with Corgan & Chamberlain, moved on to Howerdel and Keenan. An artist incapable of even being gracious for the fame and fortune that they extracted by leeching off the talent of others is nothing more than the vocalist no one remembers from a one hit wonder boy band that no one remembers. The pumpkins definately dont need the negative influences of a sour drug addict (Darcy) and an arrogant, ungracious leech (Iha). They are both forgettable puppets and history will reflect that.

The album is not bad, but I don’t think, that I will like it more than the ‘old’ SP Albums.

I think it doesn’t have that special SP sound and I’m still trying to find out, if the reason is that Iha is missing or if this is just because of my expectations.

However, I can say for sure that Jeff Schroeder didn’t make me forget Iha.

I just heard “tarantula” for the first time last night, and i must say i was F-ing blown away! i am though a little disappointed about the line up, but this isn’t the first time the line up has changed, so no biggie. I’m just glad SP’s back and i hope “zeitgeist” rocks just as much as their first single.

ps. billy, love those harmonics!

I just heard “tarantula” for the first time last night, and i must say i was F-ing blown away! i am though a little disappointed about the line up, but this isn’t the first time the line up has changed, so no biggie. I’m just glad SP’s back and i hope “zeitgeist” rocks just as much as their first single.

Ok. The Smashing Pumpkins defined my youth. And bet your ass I will be at one of these shows. But something is definitely missing. I really don’t think you can call it a reunion without at least James or Darcy. I would be satisfied with one or the other, just not without both. But you couldn’t call it a reunion without Billy, so for all of you haters…He may be a total jerk store but everyone here knows deep down they love him.

Why can’t they all just get along? I mean damn, life is short and they all need to get over their damn egos and HAVE SOME FUN AGAIN! If they could just stop their gripping and BS, I bet they could all come together and kick ass again. Come on pumpkins, get over the petty crap, life is too short.

I am excited for the new album… but i also feel the way most of u do… it’s not going to be the same without james or darcy, but billy and jimmy will prevail and i believe the new album will be a success! nothing will ever be as huge as MCIS was, but as pumpkins fans, we should all support the band, no matter who is behind the instruments…

Can anyone imagine what kind of restraint might be required from Iha to generally avoid so much as responding to Corgan’s claims and the beliefs of fans as to who did what? Corgan’s a great songwriter, and also more ambitious - and more callous - than Iha. That’s not a value judgement, just saying. Ruthless people are great.

Sorry, but Jimmy might be a very good rock drummer but there are better drummers than him.

FYI
for thouse saying that Iha “was so integral to their sound” billy did all the writing and recording of bass and guitar for Gish, Siamese, and Pisces.

I do think Iha is a great artist and added to the band (mostly MCIS), but they released great music before he started adding to the smashing pumkins sound. best of luck to Iha in the future, as well as the new pumpkins

I know it’s not really SP without James (I don’t care about D’Arcy). But in about 1 month we’ll hear the whole album, then we’ll see if it sounds like SP or like something else… (Zwan?).

I’m damn excited though, listening to Tarantula for 1 hour and I’m singing like a maniac! It sounds like SP to me. Can’t wait to hear the rest! =D

I always thought James was the coolest. He was funny, a bit odd, but gave the vibe that you could play video games with him. He was not the “I’m a god/whiny little bitch because I’m still crying over my childhood” Corgan.

He was so integral to their sound. Billy didn’t do everything. Billy hasn’t even written a good tune with a band since Mellon Collie. You just can’t call them Pumpkins without Iha. It’s kinda like making cake with Splenda… Well, I don’t know what that tastes like, but it sure ain’t the real thing and I bet it sucks!

Why didn’t he want to did he not want to rejoin the tour? Maybe it’s because he didn’t want to dress up in a goth latex dress with Billy. Maybe it’s because he realised you can only write so many songs about how much need counseling for so long. Or maybe it’s because Billy is just a first class dick. Probably all of the above.

I can totally understand why James split the band. Stephen Malkmus of Pavement got it right so long ago. Corgan is a loser. For the record though, I did like Billy’s solo album! HA!

its too bad they broke up in the first place and it would be sweet to hear them do some oftheir old stuff but times have changed you dont realize you missed something untill it is no longer there

In my opinion,the same thing that made the Pumpkins great is the same thing that ruined them….Billy Corgans ego!
He’s a prolific songwriter which doesnt leave much room for contribution form other band members.Even Ringo did songs on Beatle’s albums, were they as good as the songs by John,Paul, or George? No but the Beatle’s were a GROUP so Ringo deserved to have his contributions included on Beatle’s albums.
I would have liked to hear more of Darci and James on Smashing Pumpkin CD’s even if their songs werent as GREAT as Billy’s songs.
It has been yars since I considered the Pumpkins a GROUP they are actually a solo artist disguised as a group.
Just call it Billy-land!

I was so excited to hear that Smashing Pumpkins had finally gotten back together. But when I heard it I totally had my doubts that James or D’arcy would be in the line up. I kinda figured it. I would love, LOVE it if James and D’arcy would be in the band, but you have to think-maybe we care too much about the Pumpkins and they {James and D’arcy} dont. Unfortunately for us we dont mean much to them as pumpkin fans. We need to appreciate the ones who are still in the band, and try to love the ones that have joined..

p.s.With all that said- I’m just glad Melissa’s not in it

People who say that James Iha isn’t great or didn’t matter to the Smashing Pumpkins just AREN’T Pumpkins fans and don’t know what they are talking about. Iha wrote/co-wrote some of the best SP songs ever and performed some of the best instrumental parts in studio and live. That said…Jimmy is probably the best rock drummer alive. I’ve seen him play many times, and have hung out with him. He never ceases to amaze me. And Billy is still a great guitarist, even if he has gone crazy the past couple of years. So, they are probably still worth checking out, but it’s just not the same band. I consider them to be Smashing Pumpkins part 2.

Jeff. Uh Jimmy was in every SP album?
You do know he got kicked out for being a drug addict right?

I am sad that James won’t come back. And how could he have not talked to Billy in years? Billy put out an ad in a major newspaper about wanting the band back for god’s sake. I think that Billy probably did try to get James. D’Arcy is like Carmen San Diego at this point, no one knows where she is so she was probably a long shot, but there was Melissa.

You can’t say its a Pumpkins reunion when theres only 2 of the original members (who both have worked together since the break up)… if he had atleast James or Melissa then u could call it that. But i can’t help but be excited about the new album

Why does james say that he hasn’t spoken to billy in years? Did Billy not try to talk to him about the reunion?

Listen James and Darcy were a big part of the band. If you listen to what James and Billy did together you would recognize the reason why SP sold albums and Zwan not so much. The simple fact is it was the 4 of them that created this dynamic. As a musician the reason I liked the band was because of how they played together complimenting each others skills. To say that James and Darcy is any less of a member is a bit ignorant.

Without Iha, it is just not SP. I was really excited to hear that the pumpkins were getting back together, but without James, they really aren’t. This album will die just like Billy’s solo stuff.

I won’t lie I am sad James won’t be there i want my pumpkins back all of them.But the truth is James wasn’t that great. Did he stand out at all or make an impact with A perfect circle? Ill answer no he didn’t. Billy and Jimmy will make it work with anyone. Zwan was good. This will be better. This will be pumpkins.

I won’t lie I am sad James won’t be there i want my pumpkins back all of them.But the truth is James wasn’t that great. Did he stand out at all or make an impact with A perfect circle? Ill answer no he didn’t. Billy and Jimmy will make it work with anyone. Zwan was good. This will be better. This will be pumpkins.

damn! look james iha!

I agree that he was only a guitarrist, but he was the guitarrist of the SMASHING PUMPKINS…

I don’t know how will be the new formation of the band, but I surely will miss him…

But just until Billy starts to play his guitar…

Then I’ll just rembember Iha after the show!

COME TO BRASIL SMASHING!

damn! look james iha!

I agree that he was only a guitarrist, but he was the guitarrist of the SMASHING PUMPKINS…

I don’t know how will be the new formation of the band, but I surely will miss him…

But just until Billy starts to play his guitar…

Then I’ll just rembember Iha after the show!

COME TO BRASIL SMASHING!

As much as I love Billy’s works and efforts (except for Zwan :-/ ), I’m really disappointed James Iha won’t be involved in the return of the Smashing Pumpkins. I’m afraid that without him, “Zeitgeist” will sound like another Zwan album.

Still, I will continue to support James Iha’s solo work. Even if “Let It Come Down” sounded very different from what he previously said the future of music was all about, I still enjoyed it. I’ll admit I’m hoping for a more “Take Me Down” type of sound, though.

“He was only the rhythm guitarist.”

Um. No. Did you ever see them in concert? James did a LOT of the solos.

If James wasn’t an integral part of the band, why did Billy let James “break up the band” when he wanted to leave? Wouldn’t he have gone on without him? Couldn’t he have done the same thing with Jimmy and gotten a James replacement?

Billy and James started the Pumpkins, and as fantastic a drummer as Jimmy is (it certainly wasn’t the same without him), the roots of the Pumpkins come from the dynamic that James brought to the band. Even though Billy “wrote and recorded everything” (which is completely ridiculous…do you people know what you’re talking about?), Billy is not the end-all-be-all to musicians. If he was an amazing musician, why did Zwan fail? Why did his solo album fail? Was it the new name? Was it his bandmates? How much can you blame other people before you turn around and look at yourself as the cause for your own failure?

I’m happy for James. As much as I think the only acceptable return of the Pumpkins involves him in a major way, he’s obviously very happy with what he’s doing. He gets to be his own person doing his own thing. He owes a lot to his former band, but I don’t blame him one bit for not wanting to be a part of this.

Word Jeff!

ok well firstly zwan does not sound like the smashing pumpkins because thats what corgan wanted,pumpkins has a whole different philosophy completely,people forget zwan had other members who added their flavour to that band,Adore was a follow up to their biggest commercial success,after u achieve what melloncollie achieved it takes a brave man to completely change your sound but corgan did it!does anyone honestly think that james wanted to go in that direction?i dont.my point is adore was a very personal album about corgan’s life and importantly it had the pumpkins philosophy behind it.each album is unique in its own way but its all pumpkins,yes james was a great rhythm guitarist but corgan was and is the most important part of pumpkins,be sure we will have that layered guitar sounds,swirling riffs and breathtaking drumming.it will be over the top in your face and taken to the extreme in true pumpkins fashion,finally it will have the voice of corgan banging out the lyrics of corgan thats what matters

The Smashing Pumpkins is Billy, James D’arcy & Jimmy…Without either one there is no Smashing Pumpkins and it’s very-very sad and James was the one who broke up the band with reasons unknown to us peasants….Hope that the new album will rock and replace those useless new bands down the charts

I grew up with the smashing pumpkins. They guided me throughout the hardest times of my life speaking to me through the buds of my earphones. Like a best friend, i’ll never forget them, and the good times we spent together… no mater where they play, or who the play for.

I think some people here don’t know what they’re talking about. Iha is not important ? He was just the rythm guitarist ? Hahaha, very funny, when we know that a LOT of lead parts were played by James. Remeber zero ? Glass and the gost Children, and many others ? It’s James, not corgan. The weird sounds and alternative tunes (mayonaise) you can hear are most of the part from James, and also, Billy isn’t able to play the lead parts while singing. Yes he didn’t wrote a lot of songs for SP, but could you consider that maybe Billy did not let him do it ?
Iha took a great part in SP’s sound and personality. And no, it won’t be easy to find a substitute. If James is not involved, it’s not the SP, period. But after all, Corgan’s solo career is a semi-fail, so…
Iha, he, looks forward, not behind. He took the wise decision.

Billy wrote most of the stuff but it’d be a shame for James and D’arcy not being there on the stage.
I’m scared this album will be balls.

I recall an interview where Billy and Jimmy would be coming up with music, and the rest of the Zwan members were like “Wait… this sounds like Smashing Pumpkins” and they would be like “No s***!”
So while I don’t think it will be 100 percent SP, it’ll be 100 percent Billy and Jimmy — and I think that’s all we’ll really need from them, no matter what band they’re in or what it’s called.

We’ve heard that Billy “partially” blames James for the SP break up, and Darcy says she left the band because “Billy Corgan is making me sick”. Did anyone ever expect that either of them would be back?

Still, I can’t wait to hear the new SP work. One thing is for sure though… It will be different to anything we’ve heard before. No SP, Zwan or BC albums sound alike! So no comparison or assumptions should be made regarding the BC and JC magic rock bliss that will no doubt blast it’s way into our ears. Go the Pumpkins! James… Go ahead release another country/folk album. I’ll be giving it a miss.

Iha is not important. Billy made him. His vocals blow and his guitar work was ok but billy can replace that hes a dime a dozen. Billy and jimmy were the geniuses behind sp everyone else can be replaced. Zwan wasnt suppose to sound like sp. They tried something different and it failed. Why would it sound like zwan? This is sp so it will sound like it. Rock on billy and jimmy!

Don’t think they can ever emulate their Mellon Collie success… The chart topping music in the states these days is just utter crap. If you are reading this Billy make sure you get down to Melbourne Australia this time, as we missed you on the machina tour

It’s not that important. He was only the rhythm guitarist. And he didn’t write that many songs. He should’ve been a staple in the band (It would’ve been great if he was) but it could do without. Hopefully the album is great and he regrets.

Alright everybody, please take a deep breath. Relax. Feel better?

Why don’t we wait until we hear the new material, see or read reviews of the shows until we start praising/slamming the “new” SP?

It really doesn’t make sense to talk about events and sounds that nobody has yet to experience. It’s like discussing what a child will be when the grow up . . . NOBODY KNOWS!

Take a deep breath, relax.

no james, no SP

…As long as it’s not as god-awful as “The Future Embrace.”…

I think Billy and Jimmy can hold up on their own. “Mary Star of the Sea” turned out ok despite the very quiet bible thumping. Zwan just collapsed under it’s own weight.

Billy made Siamese Dream all by himself(except to drums),didn’t he?so it’s gonna be SP again and will be wonderful i think.i think he tried not to be SP in Zwan and solo-era.so it’s SP and it’ll be extremely SP.

i really think that jay b is right…i mean , zwan was also formed by billy and jimmy, and that wasn’t smashing pumpkins , was just zwan….but pumpkins were formed by billy and iha…i really want iha back , without him it will be a kind of zwan reunion, not a smashing pumpkins reunion …and i would like d’arcy more than melissa…i mean wretzky played for all masterpices albums of SP , melissa just replaced her ….i want billy, james, d’arcy and jimmy back ….i want all of them,and my favourite music and my favourite sound

Billy + Jimmy + James + D’arcy = Smashing Pumpkins =D

Billy + Jimmy = Zwan XP

Good luck SP! (you will need it…)

if it wasnt for the smashing pumpkins james wouldnt even have an indie label. he seems to have forgotten his roots

Honestly, I dont think the smashing pumpkins can exist unless they have james iha, no matter who they have.. they did fine w/o jimmy, and fine w/o d’arcy.. but without James, billy just couldn’t cut it. why? Iha and corgan WERE the band, plain and simple. they were the 2 driving creative forces that melded into what the smashing pumpkins was.. without Iha it’s just another “Billy Corgan” album..

If James Iha was still in the pumpkins for this upcoming summer tour, it’d be all spoiled up. They (james and d’arcy) had too much for SP ever since. Billy just wanted to be more intergral and poignant with the fate of his band or they’re band nonetheless. But James will be more respected than ever, i mean, from the thought of being more agile and carefree from billy’s guidance but if a pretentious miracle would retrieve the unconcievable return of him and d’arcy, it’ll be no surprise for me. pure and simple.

“…all for one and divided we fall.”
- billy corgan, 2007

Well, people grow. You didn’t expect more than one Mellon Collie, did you? The reason Zwan sounds different from The Smashing Pumpkins is because Billy Corgan wanted it to. And the reason his solo efforts were different from SP were because he wanted it to be, as well. Corgan just wants to play what he’s feeling at a specific period in his life, is all. SP is gonna be just as rocking as their first show at the metro, don’t worry about a thang. Keep rockin, Iha.

I heard Mike Anthony from Van Halen will be playing bass on the SP tour. Awesome!!!

Kevin: “this Asian nerd?” what on earth does James Iha’s ethnicity have to do with his guitar playing and/or involvement in the band? you’re an ass.

D’arcy has to be out then…

If anything’s certain at this point, this will not be the Pumpkins we grew up with, but the good news is that a whole new generation will grow up on the sound just as the old generation did. However, I don’t think this current incarnation will make a significant impact on fans. When they played their ‘last’ show in 2000, it was a truly emotional experience. For SP to come back sort of diminishes that, but Iha was a valuable contribution to the fold. His sound stood out in contrast to Billy’s. The only member I could care less about was D’arcy though. She was pretty much eye candy, and she wasn’t the best bass player. She just got lucky and rode the Pumpkins’ coattails til her excess got the best of her. Oh, well. I’m going to listen to ‘Zeitgeist’ anyway because I owe it to Billy to tune in when he has something to say.

And is it just me, or is James’ hair gray? It may be a platinum dye, but it looks terrible on him. He’s really showing his age, which may or may not be a good thing. It’s hard to shake the image nonetheless. :O

Iha may have added a unique dynamic to some of SP’s songs but largely he seemed as though he wasn’t really into the band or the music that much. D’Arcy…she should thank her lucky stars she ever got play in that band. Ever see her “perform” with the band? Good god, someone just bring out a stool for her to sit on. Billy and Jimmy would allow themselves to taken by the music and the moment. James and D’Arcy couldn’t wait to get off the stage. This is a great opportunity for two (or more) sincere musicians who love to perform to join the band.

Despite any rumors, at no point did I ever believe that James or D’arcy would be a part of this incarnation of Smashing Pumpkins. So this news is not surprising to me.

I do agree that Billy did the lion’s share of the work on previous SP efforts. HOWEVER - that is not to say that James and D’arcy did not contribute. All you need to do is compare the quality of any SP offering with Zwan or BC’s solo effort, and there is a glaring difference. If it was all fruit from Billy’s tree - you’d expect the quality to be similar.

If you’ve ever participated in a collaborative effort, you should understand that even if the majority of the ideas come from one source, the input and advice of others in the group is invaluable. I have always believed that James in particular had the ability to rein Billy in a bit and keep him focused.

Even if Billy writes 100% of every song, the difference between having bandmates who say “anything you say Billy” versus those who might offer constructive criticism, is striking.

I think that’s why Smashing Pumpkins was nearly infallible, and Billy’s subsequent efforts have been missing something.

Finally, until James and D’arcy are permanently unavailable (ie - dead), I don’t think it’s right to call this a Smashing Pumpkins reunion. There’s only one reason why they’re calling it that… Because Billy said that he would never play SP songs, unless SP was performing. So this band has to be CALLED Smashing Pumpkins, if Billy wants to play the old songs.

But can someone explain to me, how this band will be any closer to SP than Zwan was?

i think it would of been great to see the original line up again of course it would but at the same time melissa filled in fine 4 dercy so im sure they can pull it off without james.the songs are the most important thing here

James should be respected for not cashing in on this SP tour and album. He would have made alot of cash. Billy’s Bad Diva treatment of people is legendary and good for James for staying away from the project. And NIN last two albums were a hell of alot better than Billy C.’s last two albums.

ill be catching them live on june 3rd in germanys rock im park festival. but i got to say im a litl bummed d’arcy and james are not gonna be involved.everyone knows the smashing pumpkins are the 4 original members.everything else since then has been crap.

First of all, they already started recording, which is good. If you didn’t see this coming, you’re an idiot. I love Iha’s guitar playing, but I think the Pumpkins will be fine w/o this Asian nerd. To be honest, I don’t care too much about his record label. It might just be Billy, Jimmy, and Melissa w/o a second guitarist. Possibly.

Uhh Jeff, have you actually heard the last two NIN albums? A little lacking to say the least. Though that might have a lot to do with Trent being sober.
As far as Iha goes, would be nice if the whole band was back, but never really expected it. And really, not overly upset about it either.

Uh god, lets hope Strawberry is not part of this. for the love of god……..has she gone away yet? Melissa needs to come back. However, BuddyHead is reporting otherwise. I would like to see Brian Liesegang part of this, he rocks an amazing talent.

The Pumpkins will still rock! To bad for James, he is replaceable! Hope Melissa’s back and not Strawberry she is no Pumpkin!

Tha’ts so disappointing… : (
the new SP are getting closer to Zwan… I start feeling cheated..

screw iha, he is/was billys puppet, “james iha? we dont need no stinking james iha!”

If Billy and Jimmy can record Siamese Dream without the help of the others then there is still hope for this album. Disapointing though

It’s really too bad that james isn’t in it but it was pretty expected. To be honest I’m disappointed… Billy and James are the only ones who were never gone 1988 to 2000 and the first two pumpkins… It’s sad that he’ll be gone, but they’ll still be fine. I can’t wait to hear what james does next though!

James Iha would have experienced way more fame and fortune as a Pumpkin than he could ever by going it alone. Does he not understand that? It’s really a shame, but I think Billy and Jimmy can carry SP by themselves

This Blows,

I didn’t just say Billy and Jimmy ‘wrote’ everything…they also RECORDED everything.

So you miss, what exactly…James’ looks when they play live? His picture on the album insert?

No disrespect to James Iha, he was great in the band and I dig his solo work…I’m sure he’d tell you the same thing in terms of how involved he truly was with the band.

As long as no members of Zwan are involved, I’m glad. I really hope that Melissa is playing bass though, she actually seemed to be enjoying herself onstage.

fuck.
without James, it’ll never be the same thing.
I believe in Smashing Pumpkins, with or without James in it.
such a shame for james.
he doesen’t know what he did.

It’s a shame he’s not involved, but it certainly doesn’t worry me. Billy and Jimmy have always been the integral components of the band. I am very confident that they will deliver the goods with Zeitgeist!!!

Everybody who thinks they know the band well and say “jimmy and billy are the only real pumpkins” is missing the whole point. Billy writes mostly everything. So? James and D’arcy are/will always be part of the smashing pumpkins. It doesn’t feel like the SP for me anymore…

I’ll miss James as a band member & hope SP can do justice to his parts.

Without Iha it ain’t the Smashing Pumpkins? WTF?

Is it Nine Inch Nails without Robin Finck?

Sorry buddy, when Billy and Jimmy are responsible for writing and recording every last note on every Pumpkins album (guitars and bass included), Iha and Crackhead Wretzky were hired. guns. period. They should be lucky they had that opportunity to begin with.

That hair is rediculous. And without his involvement, you might as well call the band Zwan 2.0 (Electric Bogaloo) because without Iha, it ain’t the Smashing Pumpkins.

Neither surprised nor moved. Who cares about Iha?

T*ts…. as much as i assumed this would be the case i was still hoping that he would be in it!

Oh well… just hope the album rocks!