Billy Corgan Drops More Hints About Smashing Pumpkins Reunion, Bassist D’Arcy Wretzky’s Role Still Unclear
It's become pretty clear at this point thatBilly Corganintends to reunite his iconic 1990s band theSmashing Pumpkins. The singer has posted a series of pics with longtime drummer Jimmy Chamberlin and long estranged guitarist James Iha. The one person missing from the frame so far, though, is even longer estranged bassist D'arcy Wretzky.
Corgan got the rumor mill churning last month when he posted a studio snap with Iha and Chamberlin and followed with a photo featuring recent Pumpkins guitarist Jeff Schroeder. Wretzky, however, was not in the picture. The quiet bassist who quit the group in 1999 to pursue acting and has lived mostly out of the spotlight since then reportedly told the site BlastEcho last month that she was not invited fo take part in the reunion tour.
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"My apologies to all of the Smashing Pumpkins fans out there who are excited about this oncoming reunion tour of the original members of the band," she said at the time. "I know this is a huge disappointment for me, as well, but it's not going to happen [with me]. I only just found about yesterday that the band has decided to go with a different bass player." Corgan revealed weeks earlier that he'd been in contact with Wretzky for the first time in over 16 years and "it's awesome to have my friend back."
Bottom line, though, it looks like Wretzky is not on board and Corgan has made it clear that Schroeder will not be switching instruments. In a lengthy Instagram post on Monday (Feb. 5), Corgan wrote, "What a weekend! Saturday, I was high in the hills of Topanga, overlooking the ocean on a beautiful sunny day, and according to some reports (based on photos taken or leaked) I am now a bassist. I mean, yes, I have played bass on many of your fave songs but I'm not sure I can play bass AND sing at the same time? But perhaps I can try *someday*. Other reports have @jjjschroeder (who just celebrated a birthday) as a budding bassist. Which is interesting, because though Jeff doesn't mind plucking at 4 strings if needed I know he would much prefer the dulcet tones of 6 (but I have heard him confess that 7 strings is just 'too much')."
Corgan clarified that Iha also hasn't picked up a bass since the 2000 Machina/The Machines of God days, "which he played a fair share on, despite reports claiming a certain 'flaxen Saxxon' did," seemingly a reference to the bleach blonde Wretzky."As you know with much that is written is patently f-a-l-s-e). Which brings me back to my time in the hills of Topanga, dressed in a long coat, staring out into the ocean dreaming of a future not yet realized. Wisdom here dictates that I share something I have said many times as of late, which is: be here now, live in the present. There truly is no past (but that which lives in your mind), and the future too is but a dream. So kindly, truly, embrace the life you are living TODAY."
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A new pic of Chamberlin's drum kit.
And the earlier posts that stoked the fires.
Corgan also previously hinted that the band was recording with producer Rick Rubin, who helped the singer helm his recent solo album, Ogilala .
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