Smashing Pumpkins release statement on ex-bassist D'arcy Wretzky

February 13, 2018

[Photo by: Lisa Johnson]

The spokesperson for the Smashing Pumpkins has released a statement to clarify why ex-bassist D'arcy Wretzy will not be taking part on the band's reunion.

“Ms. Wretzky has repeatedly been invited out to play with the group,” the statement reads, explaining that she deferrend “in each and every instance.” Read the statement in full below.

The note comes after a lot of back and forth between the Smashing Pumpkins bass player and frontman Billy Corgan, following the announcement of a reunion of the band's original lineup. If you're not sure exactly what has been said, here's a breakdown:

Last month, Corgan posted studio pics of original members Jimmy Chamberlin and James Iha. This was followed by Wretzky's comments to BlastEcho that she won't be participating, saying it's a “huge disappointment” that the band “has decided to go with a different bass player.” Then, after leaked shots from a photo shoot featuring Corgan, Chamberlin, Iha and guitarist Jeff Schroeder were uncovered, Corgan threw shade at Wretzky by essentially saying that any one of them could play bass in her stead.

On Feb. 10, a countdown clock—which is set ot expire on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 15—was unveiled on Smashing Pumpkins' website. In the meantime, Wretzky is detailing how she was cut out of the Pumpkins' reunion plans in a new update with BlastEcho. The musician claims Wretzky claims that Corgan initially made an offer to her, Chamberlin and Iha to come along for the SP reunion—an offer apparently agreed upon, at the time, by all parties. However, Wretzky contends the Pumpkins leader told her, “well, that wasn't a real offer,” a few weeks after the fact. As for why Wretzky's offer was revoked, the former bassist says “that is a whole other can of worms.”

“People might be getting sick and tired of being manipulated by Billy,” Wretzky told fans on Facebook, per NME. “Billy's ship… which keeps sinking every time he tries pulls this ship. I abandoned it in 1999 'cause I knew it was sinking. He was beyond helping. His ego & insecurities spun out of control and I could no longer reel him in, which had been a very large part of my role for many years.”

Now, the band is responding via their spokesperson. Read the statement in full below:

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.

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