Smashing Pumpkins are returning to the mainstream scene with their first album since their disbanding in 2001. Expected release date is 7.7.07, and the title is Zeitgeist. Those who loved their sound will still be pleased to hear the same tone and voice; fans of the actual band members will be disappointed to know that James Iha and D’Arcy Wretzky have been replaced.
Smashing Pumpkins are native to Chicago, but they will not be returning to Chicago during their first tour. Some insiders and fans speculate that they may return in some way, doing impromptu shows in smaller venues. However, their tour dates range from Europe to Canada, and three American shows: in Washington D.C., New Jersey, and Baltimore.
According to the new band manager, Paul Geary, Corgan is remodeling the band to give the same sound it was known for; this is not for monetary purposes. Corgan has refused several larger offers in order to achieve his mission of bringing the same sound to a younger generation. He will only bring in new members who agree to help recreate the spirit and sound of the original foursome.
Only half of the band remains unchanged: Jimmy Chamberlain on drums, Billy Corgan as lead singer. According to several sources, including Q101 Alternative, Corgan and Chamberlain have recruited female bassist Ginger Reyes, formerly of Halo Friendlies, as well as Jeff Schroeder on guitar, formerly of The Lassie Foundation.
After the breakup in December 2000, Corgan tried other projects: he put together a quartet called Zwan, and tried recording solo albums, as well as Glass and the Machines of God. None became largely acclaimed efforts. In 2004, Billy Corgan, the lead singer of the Smashing Pumpkins broke his silence about why the band dissolved, and expressed disappointment with Iha and Wretzky for walking away from an endeavor he described as, “essentially my entire life … a dream I still believe in.”
Iha stated “I have not talked to Billy Corgan in years.” He does not intend to have a part in the reunion or the tour. According to Rolling Stone, Iha has his own record label with Adam Schelsininger of Fountains of Wayne. It is called “Scratchie Records”, and Iha plans to record some of his own music under this label.
D’Arcy Elizabeth Wretzky left the band in 1999. Soon after she was arrested in Chicago for purchasing crack cocaine. She went through rehabilitation and now lives a private life. She has remained almost entirely out of the public eye since 2000.
The new album, Zeitgeist is in its final stages, and the band has started to release small samples and previews of the tracks. The track list is still under lock and key, Corgan did a solo performance of a few tracks in an intimate club show in Los Angeles in November 2006.
The Smashing Pumkins are kicking off their tour in Paris on May 22, and continuing from there to Brussels. They will be headlining the Virgin Festival in Toronto, Ontario. They also look to headline at a festival in Baltimore, MD, but it is not confirmed yet. Tour dates and other updates can be found at:
www.smashingpumpkins.com.