The Smashing Pumpkins are reuniting—minus one of the original members
Good news, everyone! The Smashing Pumpkins are reuniting for a tour across the country starting this July.
Former bassist for the Pumpkins, D’Arcy Wretzky, was the first to confirm the reunion. She told BlastEcho that a tour was definitely happening.
Last week, front man Billy Corgan gave fans a reason to suspect a reunion was in the works when he posted this photo on his Instagram page. It’s a studio shot of Corgan playing alongside other Smashing Pumpkins founders, guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeBGPl3Dhxx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_legacy
Wretzky, however, who helped found the Smashing Pumpkins in 1989, will sadly NOT be a part of the reunion. Wretzky sent a text message to the rock website BlastEcho in which she explained that while the Smashing Pumpkins were indeed getting back together, it wouldn’t be with her. And, unfortunately, it sounds like Wretzky had no choice (or forewarning) regarding the Pumpkins’ decision to oust her.
“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…I only just found about yesterday that the band has decided to go with a different bass player.”
Ouch. But for Pumpkins fans, news that Wretzky is on the outs with the band isn’t exactly shocking. She was fired from the band in 1999, and Corgan had unkind things to say about her behavior in the past, calling her a “mean-spirited drug addict, who refused to get help.”
Wretzky has struggled with drug abuse, and was arrested in 2000 for possession of crack cocaine. However, in the years following, she has found peace. She now lives on a horse farm in Michigan and is back to working on her music again.
It’s just too bad it won’t be with the Smashing Pumpkins. Still, an upcoming summer reunion is still reason for fans to celebrate, even if it will be without the original bassist. (Wretzky’s replacement has not yet been announced.)
[h/t: Uproxx]
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