news on the Smashing Pumpkins

ok, info has been circulating quite furiously since Christmas regarding the Pumpkins (the most influential band to me) re-uniting. You may remember last summer (2005) Billy put out a full page ad asking to re-unite the Smashing Pumpkins in the Chicago press. Why? Why would he do that and not just call them? Well, they probably hate him since he had been posting scathing (but honest) critiques of his bandmates on his online diary in Myspace.com


Or, was it just a huge publicity hoax for his new album (which came out exactly that day). I am ready to reveal the answers. I say this because I think I know him... at least I know him better than you do, so shut up! I am about positive that he has already re-united the Pumpkins and they are probably recording right now. What makes all of this even more salacious is we don't know the line up. Drummer Jimmy Chamberlain is in for sure. We know this because:
1. He and Billy remain very close friends
2. He is an extraordinary drummer. There is simply no replacement for him.
3. He has publicly committed to the project already
4. He is a drummer, what the hell else does he have going on in his life?



So, who else? Darcy on bass, or Mellisa Auf De Maur (who joined the band briefly after Darcy quit/was fired. I bet Darcy. Though she wasn't a terrific bass player... she is a true part of the heart of the band. Oh, and what is she doing? Last the world heard from her was a crack bust years ago. What that means is she is probably dead broke about now. I saw Darcy a few feet away right before she left the band and she looked like death. Interestingly, though, is that Billy has remained close with Melissa Auf de Maur and is doing stuff for her new album.

So, what about Iha, my guess is no.


Iha contributed almost zero to the band musically. All he did was made ambient noizes on guitar. Plus, he actually has a job with the incredibly successful 'Perfect Circle'. I say 'increbibly successful' because the project was a one off side thing for Maynard from Tool to kill time. They have probably sold more tickets and albums than Tool. Go figure. Also, Billy was particularly brutal about Iha on his blog. I think he writes Darcy's problems off to drugs... but Iha is doesn't get spared. I have seen the band a lot, I can tell you Billy and James never once interacted on stage. Zero chemistry.


What adds to the fun of all this speculation is two things. One is if you go to www.billycorgan.org you get the message above promising a new Pumpkins disc in April. I am not quite sure about that, but it spikes interest. Also, Billy logged onto his Myspace.com account on Christmas eve and said huge

The surprise I have in store for you all will be announced soon enough....hold on to your horses. Afterall, good things surely comes to those who wait....Don't you just love the suspense?

He hasn't logged on since.

It is coming, and I expect an accouncement any day. However, knowing Billy's flair for drama... I bet it might not be until Billy's birthday March 17th. Yes, there will be the Smashing Pumpkins again. Yes, they will be almost as great as they once were. Billy has matured as a songwriter (not counting that vile piece of crap called his solo album). The others will be happy to work and happier for a paycheck and some celebrity back.