Acclaimed alternative rock pioneers THE SMASHING PUMPKINS have released a music video for their new single, "Solara". Directed by Nick Koenig, the dreamlike clip expands on the theatrics of the band's catalog of iconic music videos. "Solara" marks the band's first recording to feature frontman Billy Corgan, guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin together in 18 years. The track, which was produced by Rick Rubin, also features longtime guitarist Jeff Schroeder. Corgan, Iha and Chamberlin last played together on 2000's "Untitled". "Untitled" was Iha's last PUMPKINS recording prior to "Solara", while Chamberlin's was 2009's "FOL". Original SMASHING PUMPKINS bassist D'Arcy Wretzky is is not taking part at all in the band's reunion after recently claiming that Corgan offered to have her come out and do sporadic appearances on the upcoming reunion tour. Corgan did not mince words about Wretzky in a New York Times interview, saying he has not seen her in 19 years and was horrified she shared their private correspondence about the PUMPKINS reunion tour online. Corgan explained: "I think what she did demonstrates why she couldn't be involved. I was vulnerable and shared things and trusted that there was a reason to give it a chance, despite plenty of empirical evidence that that was not a wise decision." Corgan added that the bridge between him and Wretzky — with whom he started rebuilding his friendship two years ago — is now burned "forever." But the Times also spoke with Wretzky herself, who said that Corgan misled her about the reunion. She revealed: "He was stringing me along and using me to be able to say that it was, in fact, a reunion of all the members. Billy can be incredibly charming and funny and fun, but when it comes to money and giving credit where credit is due and any kind of work situation, it's not pretty." Wretzky said there were disagreements about how the members would be paid, with Corgan making twice as much as the others. She added: "I really wanted to do this tour for the right reasons. If everybody was doing it for free, I would have done it for free." The "Shiny And Oh So Bright" tour, which will reportedly focus on the band's first five albums, kicks off on July 12 in Glendale, Arizona.
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