Drama aside, this is pretty big news. Grammy-winning, pioneering alt-rock group The Smashing Pumpkins have announced the band's first tour in nearly two decades, and it's coming to Tampa's Amalie Arena on July 25.
“Some 30 years ago, as The Smashing Pumpkins, James Iha and I began a musical journey in the cramped rear bedroom of my Father's house. And so it's magic to me that we're able to coalesce once more around the incredible Jimmy Chamberlin, to celebrate those songs we've made together,” frontman Billy Corgan said of the 36-city tour which kicks off in Arizona on July 12.
Tickets go on sale Friday, February 23 at 10 a.m. and will cost fans $29-$125.
The elephant in the room is obviously the exclusion of former bassist D’arcy Wretzky who will not be on tour. Wretzky — who played on the Pumpkins' 1996 album The Aeroplane Flies High — has called her exclusion a "huge disappointment," and elaborated on the situation in an interview with BlastEcho, saying that Corgan was misleading about his intentions for the reunion tour.
P4K says that according to the article, Corgan and Wretzky spoke about their common interest to “be a band again and to do it right this time and have fun with it in a relaxed environment.” Corgan also reportedly texted her that the band would record just one song and go on tour before “find[ing] the right way to have you involved.” Eventually, Corgan made her an offer to join the band, rescinded it, and said that the other members were “with him” on reuniting without her. Later, Corgan revealed that they had already recorded 26 songs together.
Corgan issued a rebuttal via the band's PR.
In reuniting The Smashing Pumpkins, the band's dedication remains to its fans and its music. To that, James Iha, Jimmy Chamberlin, and William Corgan haven't played a show with D'arcy Wretzky for over 18 years. But it's not for a lack of trying. For despite reports, Ms. Wretzky has repeatedly been invited out to play with the group, participate in demo sessions, or at the very least, meet face-to-face, and in each and every instance she always deferred. We wish her all the best, and look forward to reconnecting with you all very soon.
Watch the tour announcement below, and get more information on the show via local.cltampa.com.
