SMASHING PUMPKINS Reunion All But Confirmed By New Photo Shoot

[MetalAges]

According to The Pulse Of Radio, the SMASHING PUMPKINS did a new photo shoot in Los Angeles on Saturday (February 3), all but confirming that a new, mostly original lineup of the band is returning this year. Participants in the photo shoot included frontman Billy Corgan, original guitarist James Iha, founding drummer Jimmy Chamberlin and latter-era guitarist Jeff Schroeder. Corgan, Iha and Chamberlin make up three-quarters of the PUMPKINS' charter lineup, with only bassist D'Arcy Wretzky missing. Wretzky reportedly told Blast Echo last month that she would not be part of the long-rumored reunion, writing on January 21: "I only just found about yesterday that the band has decided to go with a different bass player." It's unclear if Schroeder will be taking over on the bass for the alleged reunion or if he will stay on as third guitarist while the group recruits a new bassist. Although Iha played a handful of shows with the PUMPKINS in 2016, this would mark the first time he's recorded and toured with the band since 2000. Chamberlin has toured with the PUMPKINS for the last couple of years but last recorded with the group in 2007. Corgan, Iha, Chamberlin and Schroeder have all been photographed in a Los Angeles studio recently, where the PUMPKINS are said to be working with producer Rick Rubin. Corgan even hinted at the possibility of a double album by writing that there were "26 songs currently in various states of completion, production, insanity."

With these photos appearing from a photo shoot today, seeing Billy, James, Jimmy and Jeff together … it’s ignited an old flame in my Smashing Pumpkins heart that hasn’t burnt for a while. pic.twitter.com/9dseA9uau5

— Simon Mateljan ?️‍? (@sunky) February 4, 2018​

Continue reading...