Smashing Pumpkins to reform

[Ron]

never liked them and never will...but thats my o-pin-ion MAN.

[ChrisF]

ever heard the album, gish? its pretty ser.

[ChrisF]

http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/12796.html

Pumpkins Reborn
The date: 1st August 2005
Artists: Smashing Pumpkins
Rumours of a Smashing Pumpkins rekindling have been rife these past few weeks, after frontman Billy Corgan made public how much he missed his old band.

However, confirmation that the band will reform has come from Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin whilst on tour promoting his new outfit, The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex. Chamberlin stopped off at the Archer in Newcastle to host a drum clinic, and somewhere between offering existential music guidance and performing a solo version of Geek U.S.A. (only drums, no accompanyment), he announced that the Chicago veterans would be getting back together and aiming to tour in February 2006.

Chamberlin went on to state that the Smashing Pumpkins would not be doing "a greatest hits tour [...] we\'re not after your money" and that the band would work on new songs to take on the road, with the possibility of an album to ensue.

In polite discussion with his fans after the clinic, Chamberlin said that contact had been made with the two estranged former-Pumpkins James Iha and D\'arcy Wretsky via e-mail, but that Corgan and himself were awaiting confirmation as to their participation. He also said that the tour would probably go ahead regardless of whether Iha and D\'arcy are involved.

[galenas]

although i was a huge fan of the pumpkins back in the day, i\'m a little skeptical about how this reunion is going to go. it could potentially really suck.

[ChrisF]

i am sure it wont suck, but i dont think many people are going to be into it. i know billy and jimmy have a lot of ser material leftover from 2003. their most creative stuff since 1995 in my opinion. but the smashing pumpkins have thrown away more great songs than just any band in the history of rock music.

[davepeck]

from NME:

Smashing Pumpkins set to reform for festivals
Live dates this year looking more likely
Smashing Pumpkins are strongly rumoured to be reforming this summer for live shows - with Coachella touted as their comeback.

Singer Billy Corgan has made no secret of the fact he wants to reform his old band, and NME.COM has learned the band are set to make their comeback at the Californian festival on April 30.

Writing recently on his webpage, Corgan hinted reformation plans were coming along.

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

Corgan remains friends with former Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlain, and is also in contact with the band\'s second bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur, having collaborated with her on her forthcoming second solo album.

The first rumours of the band reforming came when the singer took out an advert in the local Chicago Tribune newspaper where he said "his heart" remains with his old band.

He wrote: "When I played the final Smashing Pumpkins show on the night of December 2, 2000, I walked off the stage believing that I was forever leaving a piece of my life behind. I naively tried to start a new band, but found that my heart wasn\'t in it. I moved away to pursue a love that I once had but got lost. So I moved back home to heal what was broken in me, and to my surprise I found what I was looking or. I found that my heart is in Chicago, and that my heart is in the Smashing Pumpkins.

"For a year now I have walked around with a secret, a secret I chose to keep. But now I want you to be among the first to know that I have made plans to renew and revive the Smashing Pumpkins. I want my band back, and my songs, and my dreams. In this desire I feel I have come home again."

Smashing Pumpkins split in 2000 after the release of their final album \'Machina\'. Following the split Corgan formed Zwan, who split after one record.

[antbach]

maybe i should find that disk you gave me of the HCC show circa? (96 maybe?) a while back and give it a listen just for old times sake, and see how truly awful tape quality is with a handheld

[Soulicious467]

Smashing Pumpkins, aight, it that\'s your deal, cool.
Billy Corgan however, has got to be the worst vocalist ever. His voice is like shards of fiberglass wounding the inner doldrums of my ears, suffice to say I try to avoid that......carry on

[leith]

Smashing Pumpkins to Reform?! whoop de do :swirls finger in air:

[ChrisF]

Smashing Pumpkins to Reform?! whoop de do :swirls finger in air:

if this happens i hope to see you in CA on april 30!

[leith]

Smashing Pumpkins to Reform?! whoop de do :swirls finger in air:

if this happens i hope to see you in CA on april 30!

lol yeah we\'ll see abt that. I have soo much animosity built up towards that fuckin\' crybaby for breaking up the band in the 1st place but if he is sincere and brings the heat like I know he can yeah u may see me.

[Mamalakabubadaya]

i would like to see a smashing pumpkins comeback. i\'m not too much of a fan of their most recent stuff, but used to love them back in the day.

[ChrisF]

I have soo much animosity built up towards that fuckin\' crybaby for breaking up the band in the 1st place

if you heard any of the 2000 shows you would probably agree that they needed a hiatus because you could tell that billy and jimmy were the only ones into it.  

i dont see how you could have been mad about the band breaking up when billy and jimmy started a new band that pretty much sounded like what the pumpkins would have sounded like if they had continued with new members. zwan wrote so many songs that were only played live and it some of the best stuff i have heard since mellon collie and the infinite sadness.

if you were not paying attention what they have been doing since the band split up you have missed out on some of the best music they have played in 10 years. If the pumpkins get back together, with or without james and darcy, and everyone is into it its going to be really sick.

[leith]

I have soo much animosity built up towards that fuckin\' crybaby for breaking up the band in the 1st place

if you heard any of the 2000 shows you would probably agree that they needed a hiatus because you could tell that billy and jimmy were the only ones into it.  

i dont see how you could have been mad about the band breaking up when billy and jimmy started a new band that pretty much sounded like what the pumpkins would have sounded like if they had continued with new members. zwan wrote so many songs that were only played live and it some of the best stuff i have heard since mellon collie and the infinite sadness.

if you were not paying attention what they have been doing since the band split up you have missed out on some of the best music they have played in 10 years. If the pumpkins get back together, with or without james and darcy, and everyone is into it its going to be really sick.

A hiatus is different then breaking a band up. Yeah I agree they may have needed a break but the way it was done just threw me. I admit I have not heard any live zwan but will look some up now. The album did nothing for me. Hopefully the live stuff will peak my interest in Billy\'s music again.

[ChrisF]

I admit I have not heard any live zwan but will look some up now. The album did nothing for me. Hopefully the live stuff will peak my interest in Billy\'s music again.

here is one of my zwan recordings. its from the orpheum in 2003. now you have no excuse not to check it out. http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=10436

also get all 8 shows from 2001. the first 4 are electric and the last 4 are acoustic. the songs were all in their early stages and pretty rough, but these were my favorite zwan shows to listen to. http://www.archive.org/audio/etreelisting-browse.php?collection=etree&cat=Zwan%3A%202001