Billy Corgan reconciles with D’arcy Wretzky, talks classic Smashing Pumpkins reunion
Watch his Facebook video here
Smashing Pumpkins lynchpin Billy Corgan has posted a video to Facebook in which he confirms he’s back on speaking terms with D’arcy Wretsky after 17 years.
D’arcy was fired from the band after ‘The Arising!’ tour in April 1999 for being, in Billy’s own words, “a mean spirited drug addict who refused to get help” and the two never spoke again afterwards.
Now, Billy has said he’s in communication with D’arcy once again and directly addressed fans’ expectations that the classic Pumpkins line-up will reunite once again.
Billy said: “First off, we’re back in contact again, the band. I’ve been in communication with D’arcy for the first time in 16 or 17 years. It’s awesome to have my friend back.
“So we’re all in communication, which as I said not too long ago, my primary interest in the old band was us having good relationships again.
“So of course when you get to the point where you’re in communication, and the relationships are good again, and it’s a good vibe, you yourself, and people around you who know what’s going on, start saying: ‘Is the band going to get back together?’
“We’re not at that point, and I think that’s a good thing. We’re not rushing to something, we have to repair some things between us, and see what’s out there for us, if those opportunities are even there. We’re not interested, nor have we ever been interested, in just going out to play because there’s a big stack of money there.
“Of course the business is part of what goes on, but the band was never about that, and if the band should ever be again in that form, in some iteration, obviously because there’s other people involved, because it would be about the music. So speculate away, because that’s from me, not an anonymous source.”
He continued: “There’s excitement there that surrounds the idea that maybe there’s the possibility that we will get back together, but until you hear it coming from my mouth that the band is getting back together and we will play dates, my primary concern is the family relationships of the band that are ultimately so much more important.
“I can tell you without a doubt that if that band ever gets back onstage, it will be about music, it will be about playing music that fans love, and that we love.”
Back in March, James Iha joined The Smashing Pumpkins onstage in Los Angeles for the first time in 16 years.
Iha performed on Siamese Suite tracks ‘Mayonnaise’, ‘Soma’, ‘Rocket’, ‘Spaceboy’, ‘Today’, ‘Whir’ and ‘Disarm’ for two consecutive nights at The Theatre at Ace Hotel.