D'arcy Wretzky has receipts on Smashing Pumpkins reunion drama

February 13, 2018

[Photo by: Lisa Johnson]

There seems to be a ceaseless flow of news on the Smashing Pumpkins reunion front, and it doesn't look like it's going to end anytime soon.

On Monday, the band released a statement refuting former bassist D'arcy Wretzky's claims that she was extended an invitation by frontman Billy Corgan to join the band's forthcoming reunion plans, only for that offer to be summarily retracted. This morning, Alternative Nation appeared with screenshots from Wretzky's purported texts with Corgan that seemingly affirm her side of the story—see those here.

Prior to Wretzky's dishing of the supposed receipts, the Pumpkins attempted to officially curtail her narrative of Corgan's alleged reunion-rescinding manipulation. Here's what Monday's statement from the band said:

“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.”

Essentially, Corgan and the band claim they've tried to reach out to Wretzky to have her take part in a Smashing Pumpkins reunion, only to be rebuffed. Wretzky is sticking with the story that she was offered an invitation that was null and void when she attempted to act on it.

To back up, the Pumpkins' reunion talk started last month, when Corgan teased its possibility with studio pics of himself among original members Jimmy Chamberlin and James Iha. This was followed by Wretzky's comments that she wouldn't be participating, saying it was a “huge disappointment” that the band “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 revealed, Corgan threw shade at Wretzky by coyly insinuating that any one of them could play bass in her place. Phew!

Of course, the countdown clock's still tickin' on the Pumpkins' website, so we'll see what's announced on Thursday.

And into the eyes of the jackal I say ka-boom.

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