Iha Not in Re-Formed Smashing Pumpkins
Well, I suppose it’s still possible that at least one of the two people pictured at left will be back in the Pumpkin patch, but wonder-guitarist James Iha (foreground) won’t be. D’Arcy Wretzky (background), who left the band on September 9, 1999 is also probably not in the new band. So of the founding members, who are we left with?
Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin for sure, plus at least two mystery musicians. Personally, I hope that Melissa Auf der Maur (D’Arcy’s replacement for the Machina and farewell tours) is in. If I were betting, I’d put a few bucks up saying that Linda Strawberry is in. If neither of those ladies is a Pumpkin come the first show on May 22 at the Grand Rex in Paris, I’ll be glad I didn’t wager.
Speaking to RollingStone.com’s Rock & Roll Daily blog today, NYC man-about-town and label honcho James Iha revealed that he will most certainly not be a factor in the recently announced Smashing Pumpkins reunion hysteria.
“I’m not part of the current Smashing Pumpkins album or tour,” claimed Iha. “I haven’t spoken to Billy [Corgan] in years.”
Instead, Iha’s working on another solo record and devoting time to helming the imprint he co-heads with Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, Scratchie Records, which recently put out Stroke Albert Hammond, Jr.’s own solo dabbling.
Apart from Corgan himself and possibly his drummer and BFF Jimmy Chamberlain, it’s been frustratingly unclear just who will be part of that dadgum Pumpkins reunion. Guess we’ll find out when the thing ignites at May 22’s inaugural reunion gig in Paris, then gets consummated with the July 7 release of Zeitgeist. Perhaps Billy’s spent the post-Zwan years creating clones of himself to back him, because dude would totally do something like that.
Time to walk Bugg…
On a somewhat related note, apparently Iha did the music for a film called Linda Linda Linda (IMDb listing).