Smashing Pumpkins Countdown Tempered By D’arcy Wretzky Drama

In the summer of 2016, Consequence Of Sound issued a report claiming Billy Corgan was shopping a Smashing Pumpkins reunion to promoters and festival organizers. Recently, the Smashing Pumpkins’ website was outfitted with a countdown clock that is set to expire at noon ET on Thursday. Will the details of the reunion featuring Smashing Pumpkins’ classic lineup be revealed at that time? Well if that does indeed happen, it sure seems like founding bassist D’arcy Wretzky won’t be involved.

Consequence Of Sound has been rounding up the volleying of words between Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan and Wretzky. The publication claims the Pumpkins will reveal a reunion between Corgan and fellow founding members guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlain. CoS notes Wretzky had told Blastecho she will not be a part of the reunion. “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. I know this is a huge disappointment for me, as well, but it’s not going to happen [with me],” D’arcy wrote to Blastecho late last month.

There has now been further drama between Corgan and Wretzky. Yesterday, Blastecho published an exclusive interview with the bassist in which she shares her side. The interview follows Billy’s post on Instagram that shows he was hard at work with James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlain on what is thought to be new material recorded with famed producer Rick Rubin. D’arcy Wretzky not only talked to Blastecho, but she shared texts sent by Corgan.

D’arcy told Blastecho, she was under the impression Billy Corgan was planning to record one Rick Rubin-produced song with the original members last month. When Wretzky saw the Instagram photo she started to realize she wasn’t in Corgan’s plan for a Smashing Pumpkins reunion. Here’s how Blastecho describes what happened next:

According to D’arcy, Corgan reached out to her through texts trying to explain her exclusion and assuage any worries she might have had after having seen the photo of all her bandmates in an L.A. studio together.

Once Corgan went public, he texted her “as far as you not being involved, there was never any decision to shut you out, or make you not welcome. It’s more about getting on the same page with [the] tour first and then the necessity of the song came up.” He further added, “so focus on [the] tour and I think we can find the right way to have you involved. I know speaking with Jimmy, he wants you involved so that the tour is the best thing we can all give the fans and build for the future.”

The bassist told Blastecho she has had many conversations with Billy Corgan about a Smashing Pumpkins reunion and were both looking to “be a band again and do it right this time and have fun with it in a relaxed environment.” D’arcy claims Corgan went so far as to tender her a contract, which was also offered to Iha and Chamberlain. Wretzky’s contract was rescinded by Corgan, according to D’arcy, who says the story behind Billy taking back his initial offer is “a whole other can of worms and big, ugly one!” The bassist is not only upset at Corgan, but also is hurt by Iha. “I am totally disgusted by James,” D’arcy wrote via text to Blastecho. “He should be ashamed of himself.”

At this point, fans are three days away from the expiration of the countdown clock on Smashing Pumpkins’ website. Blastecho claims longtime Billy Corgan collaborator Jeff Schroeder will join Billy, James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlain in the “new” Smashing Pumpkins lineup for new music and a summer tour. Wretzky by her account seems to be out and Blastecho says, “it’s also believed, but not confirmed, that Jack Bates, who played bass for the Pumpkins in a recent version of the band, will retain the same role moving forward.” Stay tuned.

[via – Blastecho / Hat Tip – Consequence Of Sound]