Back On The Block Sep 5, 2008
Frontman Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin are banking on the fact that fans won't care that guitarist James Iha and bassist D'Arcy Wretzky are sitting this tour out (they had a massive falling out when the band broke up in 2000). PAGE 1. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Music: Smashing Pumpkins Nov 2, 2007
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Pumpkins smash the Orpheum Oct 19, 2007
That's why even without half the original members, (James Iha and D'arcy Wretzky won't be signing anytime soon) reuniting with drummer extraordinaire Jimmy Chamberlin is enough to credit current work to the Smashing Pumpkins, instead of Zwan or a solo album. On this tour, the second guitarist is subservient and the chick bass player is smoking hot. (Boston University Daily Free Press, MA)
Corgan and Pumpkins don't miss a beat Oct 15, 2007
Of course, the real elephant in the room was Corgan's calling the band the Smashing Pumpkins even though original bassist D'arcy Wretzky and guitarist James Iha aren't aboard the reunion train. Whether it was a simple oversight or an intentional way of not calling attention to the absences, Corgan didn't introduce the capable replacements - bassist Ginger Reyes, gui tarist Jeff Schroeder, and keyboardist Lisa Harriton. (Boston Globe)
Carling Weekend, Bramham Park, Leeds Aug 28, 2007
Nobody really asked Smashing Pumpkins to reform - never mind minus D'arcy Wretzky and James Iha - but most kids today have grown up on grunge so they get a warm reception. Billy Corgan's sad Star Spangled Banner makes a melancholy comment on modern America and evokes Hendrix at Woodstock. (Guardian Unlimited -- Arts)
The Lobo threesome Aug 22, 2007
Without the contributions of James Iha and D'Arcy Wretzky, the project seems ego-driven and contrived. Corgan seems to be striving to relive his glory days. (The Daily Lobo, NM)
SMASHING RETURNS: Crowded House, Smashing Pumpkins reunite Jul 24, 2007
Ultimately, original guitarist James Iha, (who Corgan had previously blamed publicy for the bands break-up) and original bassist D'Arcy Wretzky (who Corgan once called a "mean-spirited drug addict"), said they would not take part. Zeitgeist was released July 10 and has already sold over 250,000 copies in its first week confirming the band's fan base is alive and well. (Up & Coming Magazine, NC)
Almost Smashing Jul 18, 2007
" At least in name, he did. Guitarist James Iha and bassist D'Arcy Wretzky were either not invited or turned down the offer to relive past glories. Some have suggested that Corgan just wants his old bank balance. Never mind that the depleted lineup for this reunion allows him to cut the staff salaries in half. Using a familiar brand to play in one city for two weeks seems like a great way to save on gas money. The Smashing Pumpkins' comeback album, "Zeitgeist," meanwhile, arrived in stores last... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
WEB UPDATE: Smashing Pumpkins return to D.C. Jul 18, 2007
While the new album has received mediocre reviews, usually citing the lack of former integral Pumpkins members D'Arcy Wretzky on bass and James Iha on guitar, Corgan and Chamberlin seemed to have been able to reconnect both musically and personally as they march their band into the twenty-first century, albeit seven years later and with only two of the band's original members. "There have been different roads you could take," said Corgan in a news release from an interview in April 2007. (GW Hatchet, Washington DC)
Pumpkins reunite, in name only Jul 17, 2007
Guitarist James Iha and bassist D'Arcy Wretzky were either not invited or turned down the offer to relive past glories. Some have suggested that Corgan just wants his old bank balance. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Record Reviews Jul 10, 2007
Just look at Corgan's unilateral decision to revive the band minus two original members - guitarist James Iha and bassist D'arcy Wretzky - with only the Blair to his Bush, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, along for the ride. Like our comander-in-chief, Corgan - I mean the Pumpkins - stays solidly on point, with one left-wing barb after another. (Daily Iowan, IA)
Smashing Pumpkins reunite to release LP Jul 5, 2007
It wasn't until Corgan added bassist D'Arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlain that the group's inimitable sound first began to take shape. Based off the strength of early EPs, which forsook the punk leanings of the day for a bigger, swirling sound that mixed shoegazer and classic metal, the band released Gish, an album of arena-rock for Generation X that achieved limited success and earned the band a record deal with Virgin. (The Daily Texan, TX)
Smashing Pumpkins coming to Phoenix Jul 4, 2007
Jeff Schroeder (guitar) and Ginger Reyes (bass) round out the new lineup in place of former bassist D'arcy Wretzky and guitarist James Iha. Fans who pre-order Zeitgeist through iTunes will get first shot at tickets through a Ticketmaster promotion. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
New music offerings for July show a lot of promise Jun 28, 2007
" The Smashing Pumpkins, "Zeitgeist"The first album in seven years from the band, and the first since frontman Billy Corgan announced its reforming in 2005, is missing original line-up members James Iha and D'Arcy Wretzky, but drummer Jimmy Chamberlin is along for the ride. Much of what the album is like remains a mystery, but fans can check out the band live at Baltimore's Virgin Festival on Aug. 5. Interpol, "Our Love to Admire"Bidding for the indie hit of the summer is this major-label debut... (Carroll County Times)
REUNIONS THAT AREN'T May 20, 2007
Guitarist James Iha, original bassist D'arcy Wretzky and replacement bassist Melissa Auf der Maur are MIA.. Doobie Brothers. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Smashing Pumpkins announce eight more comeback shows May 17, 2007
The Smashing Pumpkins broke up in 2000 when Billy Corgan, James Iha, Jimmy Chamberlin and D'Arcy Wretzky went their separate ways ... Iha and D'Arcy Wretzky brought a lot to the band, which made legions of fans with Siamese Dream, Gish, and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. (Actress Archives)
SMASHING PUMPKINS: New Single Snippet Available - May 14, 2007 May 16, 2007
In a February 2007 interview with MTV.com, PUMPKINS manager Paul Geary hinted that the relaunched SMASHING PUMPKINS would not include original members Iha on guitar and D'Arcy Wretzky on bass. Geary said, "I've been involved with bands whose members can't stand each other, and over time they run out of dough and that's why they [reunite]. But Billy's [Corgan, PUMPKINS leader] making a great record, and for the sake of a younger generation that he wants to turn on to the band's music, he is doing... (Blabbermouth.net)
Pumpkins flesh out return May 16, 2007
However, according to the Chicago Tribune, former Halo Friendlies bassist Ginger Reyes will be taking over from D'Arcy Wretzky, and former The Lassie Foundation guitarist will assume James Ihas place. In February 2007, the bands manager Paul Geary implied that Wretzky and Iha, with whom Corgan has had well-documented problems, will not be returning to the fray. (iAfrica.com)
Smashing Pumpkins Robbed — Plus, Has New Lineup Already Been Revealed? May 10, 2007
At South by Southwest in March, former guitarist James Iha confirmed to MTV News that he was not onboard, and original bassist D'arcy Wretzky has virtually disappeared since leaving the group in 1999. The group's publicist, Mitch Schneider, said Pumpkins management has not yet confirmed the lineup to him, but the Chicago Tribune recently reported that the group's new bassist is Ginger Reyes (formerly of the Halo Friendlies) and Iha's replacement is Jeff Schroeder, guitarist for the obscure... (VHI.com -- Music News)
Checking in on Smashing Pumpkins Mar 31, 2007
As to whether guitarist James Iha or bassist D'Arcy Wretzky are involved, however. well, either the answer is a simple no and the hush-hush atmosphere around Camp Pumpkins is merely a means to keep overheating fans confused, or there really is reason to be mum and spring a surprise at some point. (Orange County Register)
People: American Idol says bye, bye Sligh Mar 30, 2007
Corgan and Chamberlin are sure to be there, but whether the quartet's other original members -- James Iha and D'Arcy Wretzky -- will be is anyone's guess. Corgan and Chamberlin have finished a new album, "Zeitgeist," with producers Roy Thomas Baker and Terry Date. (Sun-Sentinel.com)
Pumpkins pick Paris for first reunion show Mar 29, 2007
Corgan and Chamberlin were supplemented by guitarist James Iha and bass player Melissa Auf Der Maur, who had replaced D'arcy Wretzky in 1999. Since the break-up, Corgan pursued various solo projects with little success. (ABC News Online, Australia)
They're Back! Mar 18, 2007
Founding guitarist James Iha and bassist D'Arcy Wretzky are MIA.. VAN HALEN: Just last month, plans for Van Halen's much-anticipated reunion tour with original singer David Lee Roth evaporated, the fourth time the band and Roth have tried to get back together. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
More band do-overs Feb 13, 2007
But without bassist D'Arcy Wretzky and guitarist James Iha, this lineup is hardly a smash. Vital statistics: The band has sold 15. (USA Today -- Life)
Clinton is booked for Valentine's Day Feb 9, 2007
The Pumpkins -- Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, but not guitarist James Iha or bassist D'arcy Wretzky -- announced this week on their MySpace page that they'll release a record on July 7. "Zeitgeist " will be the first disc released under the Pumpkins name since 2000. (Boston Globe)
The Reunion Epidemic: From Police To Rage, Why Are So Many Bands Re-Forming? Feb 1, 2007
"But Billy's making a great record, and for the sake of a younger generation that he wants to turn on to the band's music, he is doing it with a band that will more faithfully re-create the old songs than ever before" (a pointed reference to the absence thus far of original Pumpkins guitarist James Iha and bassist D'Arcy Wretzky from this reunion). According to former Police/Sting manager Miles Copeland (who said he is privy to reunion talks), that group is a bit less high-minded about its... (VHI.com -- Music News)
