For the last few months, all that alt-rock fans can talk about is the prospect of an upcoming reunion of The Smashing Pumpkins’ original lineup. However, a spanner has now been thrown in the works, with original bassist D’arcy Wretzky revealing she will not be taking part in any upcoming plans with the group.
In a statement given to Blast Echo, Wretzky revealed that any hopes of a reunion of The Smashing Pumpkins with her in the lineup are now dashed. “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. “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.”
D’arcy Wretzky also stated that despite nothing having been formally announced as yet, The Smashing Pumpkins are set to announce a tour later this year featuring frontman Billy Corgan, guitarist James Iha, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, and an as-yet-unannounced bassist.
This news comes only months after Billy Corgan first teased rumours of a reunion with the original lineup, saying he would love to see this lineup play shows again.
“As I’ve said a few times publicly that I’m interested in the band being creative again,” Corgan said at the time. “Playing shows is fine – I’m totally cool with the idea that if you come see some iteration of Pumpkins 5.0, it’ll be focused on the ’90s era of work.”
“It’ll be a real celebration – we’ll get the closure we never had. And a 22-year-old who has only ever heard about the myth can come and see it in some form. I think we’d still be fine.”
Then, only last week, rumours again swirled after Billy Corgan was photographed in the studio with original members James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin, fuelling speculation that not only was a reunion announcement imminent, but that new material with the band’s classic lineup was in production too.
While fans are undoubtedly heartbroken at the new thats D’arcy Wretzky will not be taking place in this (supposedly) upcoming reunion, we can only hope that an agreement can be settled upon to see the group reform to its former glory once more.
Check out The Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘Mayonaise’:
