This just arrived in my mailbox:

Hey there --

I'm Erica Futterman, outreach editor for RollingStone.com. I wanted to pass along word that tomorrow we'll be posting an exclusive statement from James Iha regarding his future involvement with the Smashing Pumpkins. I'll send you the link when it goes up, but let me know if you need anything else before then.

Thanks!
erica

--- edit

“No, I’m not part of the current Smashing Pumpkins album or tour, I haven’t spoken to Billy in years. I’m writing for a solo record, which I’m going to record this year, and working on my indie label Scratchie Records.”

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/04/06/exclusive-james-iha-speaks-out-regarding-his-involvement-in-pumpkins-reunion/

woah

are you going to let her know that you need something else before then?

Holy shit... Is this true?

wow. Fingers crossed for good news.

I'm thinking if it's a James Iha statement, rather than a SP statement, he's not in...sucks

are you going to let her know that you need something else before then?
MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY!

I'm thinking if it's a James Iha statement, rather than a SP statement, he's not in...sucks


yeah, iw as thinking that too. she worded it a little strangely "regarding his future involvement" would imply he is involved if taken literally, but most people don't intend to have their quick emails analyzed under a microscope

Yeah. I don't know if this bodes particularly well. I'd think that if he was in we'd probably get it through one of SP's sources of info (myspace, mailing list, website) instead of James releasing it to Rolling Stone.

But hey, all a lot of us have asked for is for someone to step up and tell us whether the guy is in or not, so its a step forward no matter how it turns out.

yeah, iw as thinking that too. she worded it a little strangely "regarding his future involvement" would imply he is involved if taken literally, but most people don't intend to have their quick emails analyzed under a microscope

Yeah, but she couldn't have said "future non-involvement", or something like that. It just sounds silly. Still, it's exciting to think we might actually know something real soon...all this speculation is getting frustrating!

omg what will it be?
(a) i'm in the band (but obv. i did not help recording the album)
(b) i won't be in the band. i left the band in 2000 and i still don't feel like coming back. if billy and jimmy want to continue with the band now (they didn't back in 2000), i wish them all the best.
(c) billy never asked me back. i'm so pissed off.
(d) i love you all. stars and carrots and little green martians. can't say more. respect! (aka "pulling a billy")

Maybe if he is in, they're having him do it to show that it was a voluntary decision and not due to something stupid like money or something... I don't honestly think he would have waited this long (especially until just after the end of recording) if he wasn't in.

*Majorly crosses fingers*

Yeah, but she couldn't have said "future non-involvement", or something like that. It just sounds silly. Still, it's exciting to think we might actually know something real soon...all this speculation is getting frustrating!

"we will deliver an exclusive statement from james iha regarding the smashing pumpkins" would be one example of a neutral way to say it. anyhow, who knows. as corganist pointed out, all a lot of us have really wantd was to know one way or the other, so it'll be nice to have that happen. if he's not in, its not going to be surprising at all. if he's in, i will be so shocked that i very well may have to stop all my bill bashing

I've though the only reason they've kept who's in a secret for so long is because they actually had a secret to keep...you know, it seems silly to build up all this buzz, then "yeah, it's just us after all".

The way I see it, either they've been keeping it a secret because they want it to be huge when they reveal James is in, or because their not thinking it through, or are stupid. I don't think Billy is especially stupid, so I still think it may be the first thing...SO, maybe this is just a continuation of that...having James announce it himself to make a big deal out of it...maybe.

Or maybe they're just stupid.

i want to marry marymary

I think he's out.
If he were in why announce it now through Rolling Stone? Wouldn't it be much more thrilling to have him walk out on stage at the first gig in Paris & suprise everyone..

Intruiging....

I only want James back if he dyes his hair black, and gets those white strips again. He looks like a damn fool with blonde hair.

seriously, James needs to be in the line-up for them to have any validity.

i want to marry marymary

Vegas? ;)

I think he's out.
If he were in why announce it now through Rolling Stone? Wouldn't it be much more thrilling to have him walk out on stage at the first gig in Paris & suprise everyone..

That would of been one of the all time greatest moments ever..I had a dream once that something like that happened (but it was D'arcy and she collapsed on stage from a drug overdose).

But you get the idea...

can't be a coincidence that this announcement is coming on the 7th.

If James is in i will run 3 times naked round my garden.

i assume it's an outdoor garden. do you have a fence?

you're not way out in the country where no one will ever see, are you?

Yes, from his location I can tell you that he's in a tiny picturesque hamlet in the English countryside known as 'London'.

It's about time we get an official statement from the man himself. I wonder why it took so long...

let it come down II

"billy ur my brother and i will always love u too"

Yes, from his location I can tell you that he's in a tiny picturesque hamlet in the English countryside known as 'London'.
how ever can you tell that it's not London, Texas?

"I snorted Bugg"

I am not sure if this is for real or not, but let's assume it is. Rollingstone is a tabloid. If Iha is talking to them with some "big announcement", my guess it would be to dish about how much he hates Corgan and how Corgan never called him for a reunion. Kind of like billy's blog where he decides to promote his new album by mentioning the fact that James "forced" the band to breakup...If Iha was involved, I think they keep the secret until they step out for the first show.

"I snorted Bugg"
fantastic

It actually pleased me that opening this thread I didn't actually see the statement.
I guess I'm afraid of being disappointed.

Also, how do you have Rolling Stone hookups?

I received the same email.

I am assuming it is legit because it came from a valid rollingstone.com email and had all the proper contact information for Rollingstone magazine.

"and driving skills you lackwiththa... FLIGHT OF ANDREW PAKULA!!!!"

*gnarly Green Jelly riff*

Actually, this sounds the most promising since the announcement of the reunion. Also, the snorting Bugg statement was really great.

Nothing to do now but wait patiently... I guess.

I got the email yesterday. So it should be posted today?

I sure hope so..

let it come down II

if he announces another solo album i will shit myself with joy

it's nearly the 7th in Japan. as we speak!

This just arrived in my mailbox:

Hey there --

I'm Erica Futterman, outreach editor for RollingStone.com. I wanted to pass along word that tomorrow we'll be posting an exclusive statement from James Iha regarding his future involvement with the Smashing Pumpkins. I'll send you the link when it goes up, but let me know if you need anything else before then.

Thanks!
erica
I received the same email.

I am assuming it is legit because it came from a valid rollingstone.com email and had all the proper contact information for Rollingstone magazine.


I got the email yesterday. So it should be posted today?

well they're certainly covering all their bases (spfc, starla.org, netphoria, pumpkins.net) -- the same email was waiting for me in my inbox.

timestamp says it came in at 12:36am late last night...so i'm assuming the announcement will be on 4/7.

McMurderson - Did yours come in just before midnight, or what?

if he announces another solo album i will shit myself with joy

please god no.

Mine was actually received at 7:40pm last night according to the timestamp.

I just didn't receive until it this morning as I was out all evening.

hmmm....good to know.

i didn't see mine till this morning either, and i guess technically i shouldn't go by when my mail server received it because i typically see a delay form the mail forwarder we use.

well, hopefully that means it will be posted today! they definitely wanted to get the word out. publicity stunt? or does the fact they contact all the fan-sites mean it could possibly be good news?

"future involvement with the smashing pumpkins" makes me think he will be touring the album live and he just didn't play on it hence the "future" in his "involvement". if he wasn't going to be in or associated with the band again i doubt they would have used the term "Future involvement" in an email sent to fan sites for the band as liberally as they did.




i think this is a good sign.

kjghbkj dubble

please god no.

well i'd rather have him be in the band, but that doesn't seem very likely and if it's just "hey guys, i'm not in the band. wooptidoo" that's just kind of a bummer

at least it looks like we're gonna real information. that's exciting!

please god no.


a few weeks ago i listened to adore and LICD back to back, after not hearing either album for years. guess which one has aged better :erm: .


'winter' beats everything on adore except sheila, tear, annie-dog, shame, and blank page

"future involvement with the smashing pumpkins" makes me think he will be touring the album live and he just didn't play on it hence the "future" in his "involvement". if he wasn't going to be in or associated with the band again i doubt they would have used the term "Future involvement" in an email sent to fan sites for the band as liberally as they did.
how about "i'd love to work with Billy & co. again someday, but i'm happy with what i've got going on right now". hypothetical future involvement, hooray.

well they're certainly covering all their bases (spfc, splra, netphoria, pumpkins.net) -- the same email was waiting for me in my inbox.

timestamp says it came in at 12:36am late last night...so i'm assuming the announcement will be on 4/7.

McMurderson - Did yours come in just before midnight, or what?


6:39 PM EST

has anyone come to think that if billy and jimmy really are alone and don't want to reveal it in fear of disinteresting people about the project, their plan could be foiled at any moment if james decides to make a statement? i mean they don't have control over him.

:: Body implodes with tension ::

has anyone come to think that if billy and jimmy really are alone and don't want to reveal it in fear of disinteresting people about the project, their plan could be foiled at any moment if james decides to make a statement? i mean they don't have control over him.
yeah i already sent a telegram over informing Billy that he'd better hop to if he wants to beat James to the punch.

^ yea, exactly why you would expect him to have said something to the effect of "no, i'm not it" already. if they have no control, why hasn't he come clean?

logic would sya because he is involved somehow.

how about "i'd love to work with Billy & co. again someday, but i'm happy with what i've got going on right now". hypothetical future involvement, hooray.

this seems highly likely

...and for the record, i've talked to a lot of fans, and none of them would stop caring just because it was billy + jimmy. they are the 2 drivign musicla forces within the band, end of story. not saying it was ONLY them...but it was MOSTLY them.

maybe he just forgot to read the Chicago newspapers that day and nobody ever told him billy was starting the band up again until yesterday.

let it come down II
god help us

^ yea, exactly why you would expect him to have said something to the effect of "no, i'm not it" already. if they have no control, why hasn't he come clean?

logic would sya because he is involved somehow.
i also rang my good friend logic up on the tin can telephone and he says he doesn't appreciate you putting words in his mouth, words he would never say and never endorse.

This is intense. Sick thread.

^ yea, exactly why you would expect him to have said something to the effect of "no, i'm not it" already. if they have no control, why hasn't he come clean?

logic would sya because he is involved somehow.
yes because as we all know, a lack of evidence = evidence of the contrary.

thats some creationist logic right there.

as much as i want james to be in - i still don't think there's much of a chance. though this announcement thing cannot help but spur up a tiny bit of hope. a tiny bit. tiny. minuscule.

i'm not sure what sort of conspiracy theory mind is needed to view the lack of evidence as evidence, but really? seconding the creationist logic statement.

...and for the record, i've talked to a lot of fans, and none of them would stop caring just because it was billy + jimmy. they are the 2 drivign musicla forces within the band, end of story. not saying it was ONLY them...but it was MOSTLY them.


a human body with 75% of its parts has a pretty tough time functioning like it should

a human body with 75% of its parts has a pretty tough time functioning like it should
if i chopped your legs off, does that mean we would have to stop calling you mariner?

The news better NOT be...

James - "No comment."

if i chopped your legs off, does that mean we would have to stop calling you mariner?


i would no longer be able to work on a boat

i would no longer be able to work on a boat
try telling that to lieutenant dan.

It's up.

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily

and that's that.

now who honestly is surprised?

But there's still hope for D'Arcy!!!

oh yeah and for how many years has he been promising another solo album? yeah i am not holding my breath james ugh james ugh UGH JAMES ugh.

hahaha, disheartening really, we better get used to ginger reyes and jeff schroeder or whatever the fuck his name is

currently - 76 viewing. let's see how high it goes.




and yeah you know what, billy? wanna put out new albums, form a band with some young(er) kids, and play old sp songs? fine. but for the love of everything that was good about the smashing pumpkins, retire the name.

nice to see that fierce mane tamed a bit though.

more interesting than his lack of involvement (because really we knew that) is the mention of the lack of communication with billy. this implies quite heavily (at least to me) that he was never even asked.

and that leaves one hell of a sour taste in my mouth.

man, whatcolor i completely understand now, fuck billy corgan

that wasn't so hard now, was it?

fuck this. im done with this band.

and that leaves one hell of a sour taste in my mouth.

word, typically i would speculate and say something like "maybe jimmy talked to him!!" but fuck it, its obvious he was never asked to be in

http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/8/0/9/3/14073908-14073909-large.jpg

<font color=33FFFF> he's no spring chicken these days is he</font>

Well.



Shit.

</></></></></>rip</></></></></>








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i think he looks swell! although there may be some thinning which quite frankly scares the cheese off my crackers.

are we seriously still expected to believe this isn't about the money?

what horse shit.

He has spoken to Jimmy though.

But this sucks.

yea, fuck jimmy too

We recently spoke with iconic Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, who has been graciously going about his business while his former bandmates schedule summer tour dates and discuss the details of their new record. It has never been totally clear which members of the original Pumpkins lineup would be involved in this much-gossiped about reunion tour and new album and now Iha assures us that he will absolutely not be part of it.

“No, I’m not part of the current Smashing Pumpkins album or tour, I haven’t spoken to Billy in years. I’m writing for a solo record, which I’m going to record this year, and working on my indie label Scratchie Records,” says Iha, referring to the label he co-founded in 2002 with Fountains of Wayne’s Adam Schelsininger. Scratchie has put out albums by Albert Hammond Jr. and The Sounds, among others. http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily

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Schelsininger!

the worst part is some of the songs probably will be decent but who knows if they will be enjoyable now

god im so pissed off by this. im just going to keep posting in this thread until im no longer pissed off.

try telling that to lieutenant dan.

haha.

"lieutenant daaaaaaaaaayaaaaaan!!"

:(

bright side - new Iha record this year. :)

James clearly recognises a sinking ship.

I think he's out.
If he were in why announce it now through Rolling Stone? Wouldn't it be much more thrilling to have him walk out on stage at the first gig in Paris & suprise everyone..

Sure it would be an awesome surprise for fans that were present, but a public announcement beforehand makes more sense. If James is involved in the tour and its announced ahead of time, you're going to get a lot more interest from older fans once they hear that all the essential members of SP are back in action.

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This is no different than D'arcy leaving. You idiots saying THE PUMPKINS ARE THROUGH should've said the same prior to Machina and that clunker of an album/tour.

No...not with the happier times pictures....it's like experiencing death of the band all over again.

:(

Oh my god... THIS IS FUCKING BULLSHIT...

FUCK THE SMASHING PUMPKINS! AND really, fuck Corgan for being a fucking cocksucker.

DON'T CALL IT A FUCKING "REUNION" BILL. FUCK THIS SHIT. SERIOUSLY. I FUCKING HATE YOU.

:'(

IT'S NOT THE SMASHING PUMPKINS ANYMORE. IT'S BILLS AND JIM SHOW. FUCK OFF AND FUCKING DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I'M BEYOND FUCKING ENRAGED. FUCK YOU TOO JAMES.

i really had been deluding myself all this time that it would be good news

No...not with the happier times pictures....it's like experiencing death of the band all over again.

And actually, Jimmy left during MCIS so you fucking idiots shouldn't even call Adore/tour the Smashing Pumpkins.

fuck TPQ and strawtits as well

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And actually, Jimmy left during MCIS so you fucking idiots shouldn't even call Adore/tour the Smashing Pumpkins.

yea but those circumstances were a lot different than now

...I haven’t spoken to Billy in years...this makes the news even more sad/maddening, as it indicates BC didn't even reach out to ask James to work with Jimmy and him

his current hairstyle reminds me of hard drugs

Im so pissed... oh wow... this really fucking sucks.

what now?

ella, kill yourself.

Mariner, I adore you.

James Iha: You have always had less musical talent than my cat.

Come on guys, the new James is kinda Asian looking. Hot chick bass player too. How is it any different?

all of this could have been soooo much better if bc jsut came out a LONG time ago saying james and darcy arent in the band, but that he'll try his best to recapture the feeling of the pumpkins again, what a fucking pussy

I'm not wasting my $$$ on a ticket. I'll d/l the album for free off soulseek.

If the album is as amazing as everyone says, I could give two flying fucks about the lineup.

ella, kill yourself.

Mariner, I adore you.

James Iha: You have always had less musical talent than my cat.

kiss my ass.

I hope you get attacked by a heroin addict today.

LOL at you nostalgic faggots posting all your pictures from 15 fucking years ago. Is that what you expected?

Like you won't DL the album the day it comes out and probably buy it too. :rolleyes:

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rip

the smashing pumpkins

1988 - 1999



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And here's the guy who was in elementary school the last SP was good and relevant!

ten out of ten for effort billy, you fucking peice of shit.

As fans (past or present), the only responsible thing to do is to lynch the whore that sent out that fucking e-mail. Seriously, the way that message was worded, she had to of written it with the sole intention of raising peoples hopes and subsequently destroying them.

i hope all your aspirations fail miserably.

LOL at you nostalgic faggots posting all your pictures from 15 fucking years ago. Is that what you expected?

all this secretive bullshit certainly left a tiny shred of hope.


Like you won't DL the album the day it comes out and probably buy it too. :rolleyes:

i can say with as much certainty as is possible that i will not be doing either. i'm going to try and keep the smashing pumpkins untainted in my mind.

And here's the guy who was in elementary school the last SP was good and relevant!

oh, Siamese Dream was the last relevant album/tour?

Even if you didn't fudge the date, doesn't change my point.

As fans (past or present), the only responsible thing to do is to lynch the whore that sent out that fucking e-mail. Seriously, the way that message was worded, she had to of written it with the sole intention of raising peoples hopes and subsequently destroying them.

uh, no. if you're going to be mad at someone, think billy corgan. don't shoot the messenger.

It's okay to be disappointed that James isn't in the band but holy fucking crap you guys are lame.

A lot of great bands change members, and this band changed its members plenty of times during the "golden era".

If the album is good, who the fuck cares?
It should be about the music, not the lineup.

doesn't change my point.


...that you see this as an opportunity to try and look cooler than everybody else here? definitely working.

Hey dum dums: Iha didn't want to be in the Smashing Pumpkins in 2000 and he probably doesn't want to be in the Smashing Pumpkins now.

It's good that he isn't in becuase it probably would have been for the money.

oh, Siamese Dream was the last relevant album/tour?

Even if you didn't fudge the date, doesn't change my point.
Just giving you a hard time, dude.

But I don't see how the hell people can complain that THE BAND ISN'T THE SAME now without James Iha, who had less musical direction than any other member. Once Jimmy was out, SP was gone. He came back, but D'arcy was gone.

oh well.

Actually, I'm excited about a new James solo album.
The new Pumpkins will be good and a new James solo album will be good, so it's like doubley goodness!

A lot of great bands change members,

certainly. some bands can pull it off, others cannot.

and this band changed its members plenty of times during the "golden era".


i disagree. the moment they hit the stage without all four original members, the golden era was over and the long downhill slide began.



It should be about the music, not the lineup.

if the music's good, fine. i hope it is. good for billy and his fountain of youth troupe. but i absolutely do not think it should be released as "the smashing pumpkins", and as long as he continues that guise i am not interested in hearing it. in the case of the smashing pumpkins, it's pretty clear that the music and the lineup were closely related.

But I don't see how the hell people can complain that THE BAND ISN'T THE SAME now without James Iha, who had less musical direction than any other member.


</>

uh, no. if you're going to be mad at someone, think billy corgan. don't shoot the messenger.

The message itself isn't what is upsetting, but the way it's worded is ridiculous. There's absolutely no way it was written without a concious effort to completely ruin peoples expectations.

For those that actually thought Iha might be in, you were only kidding yourselves. Call Corgan a prick, but if he announces the Pumpkins are back together and then adds "and our new guitarist and bassist are (insert used up or never was musician), the psudo-reunion gets laughed at. He was/is smart to remain silent on this one. The press has recently started to take notice of the reunion to some degree with these festival dates and it will be interesting to see how long it takes for Corgan to now respond with the truth we all truly knew a long time ago.

Let's also not kid ourselves here. I know some are pissed that this is not the true Smashing Pumpkins, but in the end it all comes back to the music. If the album rocks, who cares who is playing in the band.

It is kind of hard to explain, but for a lot of us, the band was what we grew up with, and I think that those that are pissed are just longing for that nostalgic time. It is kind of like being out of high school for 10, 20, 30 years and rememering your senior prom. Looking back it was the best of time in high school, but upon reflection, it was just hanging out with a bunch of people you haven't seen since.

Maybe I am in the minority here, but now with some confirmation, I am even more looking forward to this "reunion". If Corgan hires good talent (hopefully it won't turn out to be another Zwan) , are we going to be bitching so much a year from now? AFter all, anyone that shows up on some fucking MTV reality show with bam magera and looks like that fucking dude from Mortal kombat can be replaced..

I hope you get attacked by a heroin addict today.



LOL!!

Did Billy, or anyone directly affiliated with the band, ever say that this was a "reunion"? Just curious, I don't know the answer one way or the other.

...that you see this as an opportunity to try and look cooler than everybody else here? definitely working.

oh yeah, I wanna be cool and get +rep.

My point is that the Pumpkins were NEVER the same since 1996 anyway, even though Adore was a good album, and this is just another iteration of that. And also that I can't believe people haven't psyched themselves up for this anyway, I mean c'mon it was all but a given.

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:cry:

Guys, maybe James is lying. Or maybe after reading this, Billy will contact james.

Fuck Billy, i've always loved you but this is beyond words.
Jesus, you could've called at least, you fuckin dick.

For the first time on Netphoria, TuralyonW3 makes a post worth reading.

My point is that the Pumpkins were NEVER the same since 1996 anyway,

yes

I can't believe people haven't psyched themselves up for this anyway, I mean c'mon it was all but a given.

exactly.

Maybe James can take his Nintendo gun and play it a Wii conference now. I mean, he won't have to be preoccupied with touring and playing songs that he has had absolutely zero input into.

oh yeah, I wanna be cool and get +rep.

My point is that the Pumpkins were NEVER the same since 1996 anyway, even though Adore was a good album, and this is just another iteration of that. And also that I can't believe people haven't psyched themselves up for this anyway, I mean c'mon it was all but a given.

Actually, I'm pretty sure it was given. In an interview sometime over the past year, didn't someone ask Iha if he would be involved with the new SP, to which he replied something along the lines of "No, I don't think I'll be a part of that."

This shouldn't be a huge shocker.

someone brought their trolling motor to the board today

^He wants to solidify his place in rock history and the pumpkins were his baby.

It was his band, and if he thinks that the only way to really come back and change things is to use the name then so be it.

Jimmy was always the more vital of the other members (to their sound) imo, at least.

I don't want to sound like I think you are wrong for not being interested in hearing the new album, because that is your choice...but
If the music really is good, why shouldn't it be released under the Pumpkins name?
It's billy's band and it's billy's choice.

To me it's all about the music, I could care less about the other bullshit.

And that's the only cool thing he ever did as a member of SP anyway - holding a fucking Nintendo game control during songs that were so forced it was often painful to listen/watch.

Fuck Billy, i've always loved you but this is beyond words.
Jesus, you could've called at least, you fuckin dick.

if it's true that James cause the break up, would you want him back just to do it again. i don't think so. :noway: finally, peace in the band. may they give birth to many albums! :erm:

someone brought their trolling motor to the board today
<img src=http://www.rbbi.com/folders/show/04tulsa/photos/skeeter.jpg>

I own that boat actually.

<img src=http://www.rbbi.com/folders/show/04tulsa/photos/skeeter.jpg>

I own that boat actually.

i liked the fish better

If the album is as amazing as everyone says, I could give two flying fucks about the lineup.


who said that?

Linda Strawberry dude.

You know, the chick with the tiny tits and awkwardly nipples.

but all joking aside, i don't understand why they couldn't have *******d the Auf. she would've been the best to bring in to at least give a since of a real reunion.

neither shocked nor moved. Expected it.

dear lord James, not another solo album. Ack.

Three things I have to say, then I'm done with this fucking topic:



1. Fuck you Billy for allowing Rolling Stone, and not you, to be the one to tell us you didn't talk to Iha prior to bringing back a bank that was never 100% yours. Nice job with the mystery and ambiguity, though... it definitely promoted the new album and tour didn't it? Seems to hand in hand with the way you "coincidently" announced the revival on the same day your solo album came out. It's sad how it's turned to dollars and cents.

2. Yes, I will still buy the album. But honestly, when or if I go to a show, I'm going to feel somewhat pissed off that someone else is standing in for James. It will honestly look exactly like Zwan did on stage, and Zwan has the disgusting and negative taste in my mouth.

3. To those of you who say it doesn't matter much that James isn't in, you're not supporting your arguments very well. You can't compare James's absense to Jimmy's or Darcy's. Jimmy's absense wasn't by his own will... he was fired and kicked out because he almost died of heroine use. And since he came back just a little over a year later, he really never left. It was, in the end, just a break. And Darcy... well, who really cares about Darcy? She hopped up on cocaine, got plastic surgery and split. The thing about that, though, is that not only did her replacement in Melissa turn out to be amazing, but Darcy never contributed much of anything on the album or on stage anyway. James's absence is unlike anything that ever happened with the Pumpkins. He was there from the very first practice with only Billy to the final Metro show in Chicago. He never took a break, never walked away. He had a noticeable presense on each and every album, and his stage persona was a large part of how you "knew" you were at a Pumpkins show. No he's gone, and, according to him, he never even heard from Billy. What the fuck?

Did Billy, or anyone directly affiliated with the band, ever say that this was a "reunion"? Just curious, I don't know the answer one way or the other.
don't think so. Billy seemed pretty deliberate in avoiding that word in his original announcement.

^He wants to solidify his place in rock history and the pumpkins were his baby.

i totally agree.

It was his band,

yeah, it was. and now it's his mistake.


and if he thinks that the only way to really come back and change things is to use the name then so be it.

that's where he's wrong, though. yeah it gets him more visibility initially, but in the long run continuing on under that name without james and d'arcy is making the same mistake he made in 1996; the one that triggered the decline and eventually the end of the band.

it's fully clear now that he's using the name in an attempt to rekindle whatever it is that was missing the last 7+ years, and because he knows it's got a high profile and therefore gives him a better chance at being heard. do you know what that ends up looking like to any remotely astute observer? that he doesn't trust his own abilities and the quality of the new music to do the talking for him. the internet/digital media hold amazing possibilities for distribution and reputation. if it's good, people will hear it and tell their friends. there is no need for him to stand on the shoulder of the pumpkins' past work - regardless of his true intent it makes him look like he fears that no one will be listening otherwise. that comes off as an insult to his fans and an indication that he has no idea how quickly good art can spread these days.

on top of all of that, i think he underestimates the reputation that the smashing pumpkins has with people who were in their formative music-listening years in the mid-1990s. that's the generation which is just starting to hit its stride in important places throughout society and the music industry specifically, and right or wrong a lot of people are going to see billy using 'smashing pumpkins' without two of the original members as an insult to the band's good legacy and a pathetic display of a lack of self-confidence on billy's part.


I don't want to sound like I think you are wrong for not being interested in hearing the new album, because that is your choice...but
If the music really is good, why shouldn't it be released under the Pumpkins name?

if the music's good, why should it be released under the Pumpkins name? this is a new era and it's a new band. why not step out with a fresh start?


It's billy's band and it's billy's choice.

it is. he's making a huge mistake.

To me it's all about the music, I could care less about the other bullshit.

well bill's certainly making it difficult to extricate the one from the other, isn't he?

Three things I have to say, then I'm done with this fucking topic:



1. Fuck you Billy for allowing Rolling Stone, and not you, to be the one to tell us you didn't talk to Iha prior to bringing back a bank that was never 100% yours. Nice job with the mystery and ambiguity, though... it definitely promoted the new album and tour didn't it? Seems to hand in hand with the way you "coincidently" announced the revival on the same day your solo album came out. It's sad how it's turned to dollars and cents.

2. Yes, I will still buy the album. But honestly, when or if I go to a show, I'm going to feel somewhat pissed off that someone else is standing in for James. It will honestly look exactly like Zwan did on stage, and Zwan has the disgusting and negative taste in my mouth.

3. To those of you who say it doesn't matter much that James isn't in, you're not supporting your arguments very well. You can't compare James's absense to Jimmy's or Darcy's. Jimmy's absense wasn't by his own will... he was fired and kicked out because he almost died of heroine use. And since he came back just a little over a year later, he really never left. It was, in the end, just a break. And Darcy... well, who really cares about Darcy? She hopped up on cocaine, got plastic surgery and split. The thing about that, though, is that not only did her replacement in Melissa turn out to be amazing, but Darcy never contributed much of anything on the album or on stage anyway. James's absence is unlike anything that ever happened with the Pumpkins. He was there from the very first practice with only Billy to the final Metro show in Chicago. He never took a break, never walked away. He had a noticeable presense on each and every album, and his stage persona was a large part of how you "knew" you were at a Pumpkins show. No he's gone, and, according to him, he never even heard from Billy. What the fuck?

1. It's not just "fuck Billy", it's "fuck James" for waiting so long to tell us this.

2. I never considered James that noticable of a presence on the albums....live, yes, but not the albums.

im sad.

James Iha.. i wish you were in the smashing pumpkins.

Honestly what touring musician could replace him? And you know b0lly is going to pick some Janes Addiction asshole or something.

this...is a black day for baseball

this is about as lame as roger waters touring as "pink floyd"

I think it's time to consider that Billy may have been telling the truth during the pre-Future Embrace period. Sure, Billy wasn't the most diplomatic when talking about his former band mates, but just consider that he was telling the truth and that James and D'arcy don't want to have anything to do with him. Maybe they're the assholes.

I'm upset by the news that James isn't in the band. Hell, if this Ginger Reyes chick is in the band, I'm upset that Melissa Auf der Maur isn't in the band, let alone D'arcy. But I love the Pumpkins, always have. I loved Zwan, not as much as SP, but it was damn good music and I loved all five of the shows I saw. Same goes for TheFutureEmbrace. Not at good as SP or Zwan, but I certainly enjoyed it, live as well.

And I expect that I'm going to love the new album. I'm pretty much hopelessly addicted to the music Billy and Jimmy make, especially when they're together. I can't think of any musicians that have influenced and impacted me more. And I think that's the case with most of the assholes on here.

So bitch and moan as you will, but until we hear the new music (and new take on old music) I don't think we should get so worked up. This is the next step in the evolution of the Pumpkins - a band that's never stopped progressing. Plus, this opens the door for James Iha to return for the follow up release.

This is how rock and roll works. Band members come and go and come back and overdose and crash motorcycles and helicopters etc etc. There are no rules. You don't have to like it but you should at least accept it.

the new music is going to suck

if the music's good, why should it be released under the Pumpkins name? this is a new era and it's a new band. why not step out with a fresh start?

I completely agree.

To echo some of your other sentiments, I think I would have been okay with James not being in the band, if it was announced initially that he wasn't involved. Instead, Billy had all of these secrets that, now, seem solely devised to string along people into getting excited for a full out reunion. It was always a long shot, but Corgan allowed for that teeny tiny speck of hope to linger...and that is pure assholism.

I feel that it would have been more professional, and certainly honest, to just say initially that only he and Chamberlin were back. But then that raises questions as to why they need the name "The Smashing Pumpkins." Corgan can claim he "wants his old band back" but really, the name retention seems purely for marketing reasons. Would anybody have really cared if he played Pumpkins songs with a new band? He is the one who wrote them.

I'm still going to buy, and probably enjoy, the album. But it's still sad the way Billy handled everything...it's embarrassing as a fan.

it's fully clear now that he's using the name in an attempt to rekindle whatever it is that was missing the last 7+ years, and because he knows it's got a high profile and therefore gives him a better chance at being heard.

Isn't one of the main points of using the SP name the fact that they'll be playing old SP songs? Wouldn't that be weird hearing SP songs from a new band?

2. I never considered James that noticable of a presence on the albums....live, yes, but not the albums.


guys we need to chip in and get this guy better speakers/headphones

this is about as lame as roger waters touring as "pink floyd"

I don't think Billy will be singing James songs.

Isn't one of the main points of using the SP name the fact that they'll be playing old SP songs? Wouldn't that be weird hearing SP songs from a new band?

I don't really think so, if it was handled in the right way. I mean, doesn't Audioslave play both Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden? Half the Pumpkins would be in the new band.

Mayonaise
I Am One
Spaceboy
Soma

I don't really think so, if it was handled in the right way. I mean, doesn't Audioslave play both Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden?

I did not know this.

Audioslave is the worst band in the world.

James's absence is unlike anything that ever happened with the Pumpkins. He was there from the very first practice with only Billy to the final Metro show in Chicago. He never took a break, never walked away. He had a noticeable presense on each and every album, and his stage persona was a large part of how you "knew" you were at a Pumpkins show. No he's gone, and, according to him, he never even heard from Billy. What the fuck?

:cry:

Right now, if Billy were wise, he'd be doing damage control. He needs to release a new song, or at least a clip, have some faith in his work, and say "This is the Smashing Pumpkins." He has to be responsible to his fans now that the secret is out.

<b>Also!</b> This doesn't make a whole lot of sense when you consider that we've been waiting for this response from James for almost two years. If he hasn't had any contact with Billy in years, then fuck James for waiting so go damn long to rain on Billy's parade. I'm no longer holding out for a miracle, but I think there's an untold part of the story.

Either way, an official response from the Smashing Pumpkins is absolutely necessary at this point.

I did not know this.

they were "covers". ;)

I don't think Billy will be singing James songs.true, but blew away, take me down, i am one, mayonaise and go were all posted on the bands myspace at one point or another.

id say it's about the same.

what if somehow james' new solo album is awesome and zeitgeist sucks ass?

Isn't one of the main points of using the SP name the fact that they'll be playing old SP songs? Wouldn't that be weird hearing SP songs from a new band?


Billy and Jimmy playing old SP songs with new musicians/as a part of a new band is fine. Sort like when Page and Plant finally ended up playing old LZ songs - not that great but at least it wasn't offensive. It would come across much better if Bill and Jim did it without using the name.

what if somehow james' new solo album is awesome and zeitgeist sucks ass?


ahahahaha i cant believe a said that.

Is it more than a coincidence that this news comes on Good Friday? Maybe on Sunday James will announce that he changed his mind, and does indeed want to help "renew and review" SP.

Right now, if Billy were wise, he'd be doing damage control. He needs to release a new song, or at least a clip, have some faith in his work, and say "This is the Smashing Pumpkins." He has to be responsible to his fans now that the secret is out.

<b>Also!</b> This doesn't make a whole lot of sense when you consider that we've been waiting for this response from James for almost two years. If he hasn't had any contact with Billy in years, then fuck James for waiting so go damn long to rain on Billy's parade. I'm no longer holding out for a miracle, but I think there's an untold part of the story.

Either way, an official response from the Smashing Pumpkins is absolutely necessary at this point.


You are correct.

what if somehow james' new solo album is awesome and zeitgeist sucks ass?



like i said earlier - i only listened to LICD once or twice when it was new, and pulled it out again last month. for what it is, it's held up surprisingly well.

then i pulled adore out after a long hiatus. all those wincy electronic squishes and canned piano and strings were nearly unbearable. what great potential so poorly squandered.

Is it more than a coincidence that this news comes on Good Friday? Maybe on Sunday James will announce that he changed his mind, and does indeed want to help "renew and review" SP.
that must be it!

The Pumpkins Myspace page is having a shit too.

Billy does indeed need to do damage control ASAP.

Linda Strawberry's timing of her new blog exclaiming how wonderful the music is is interesting. Seems perfectly timed.

Have someone claim the music kicks ass, next morning, we find out james is not in.

like i said earlier - i only listened to LICD once or twice when it was new, and pulled it out again last month. for what it is, it's held up surprisingly well.

then i pulled adore out after a long hiatus. all those wincy electronic squishes and canned piano and strings were nearly unbearable. what great potential so poorly squandered.


You've also probably listened to adore way more times then 'let it come down', making the songs get old. Songs seem really catchy if you only listen to them once or twice then put them down for a while.

JAAAAAMES WHY DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE A SHIT SOLO ALBUM!!! JOIN THE PUMPKINS!!! :cry:

:-\

hahaahahhaahhaah the myspace page is having a shit. you're right Tournee

www.myspace.com/smashingpumpkins

plenty of 'fuck you''s etc.

i'm not suprised.

somebody compared it to:

like finding out your divorced parents are getting back together and it falling through

i can't believe some of you are surprised

Linda Strawberry's timing of her new blog exclaiming how wonderful the music is is interesting. Seems perfectly timed.

Have someone claim the music kicks ass, next morning, we find out james is not in.
The difference is no one outside of this messageboard and her friends knows who Linda Strawberry is.

The biggest thing in her career was the leak of her boobs. I mean, seriously, it's not like she's a famous person in the least bit.

hahaahahhaahhaah the myspace page is having a shit. you're right Tournee

www.myspace.com/smashingpumpkins

plenty of 'fuck you''s etc.

rofl

Yeah, there's definetely a need for some damage control. I expect an official announcement from JC/BC in the next two days tops.

First off, I cannot believe there are people out there on this board who are giving James crap. The Smashing Pumpkins is obviously not a part of James Iha's life anymore. He lost interest in 2000, left when he thought the band had ended, and went about his business. The man obviously does not give a shit about the band, and is enjoying doing his own things. As a matter of fact, I find his silence admirable. He never bad mouthed Billy, he never criticized The Smashing Pumpkins, he never lashed out against the reunion, he just kept quiet. As for his announcement, he very calmly said that he is not a part of The Smashing Pumpkins. If anything, this will do more damage to Billy's image as it seems Iha was not even asked to come back.

On the other hand, James' presence in the end was questionable. To me, much of the Machina era seems like James was just waiting to leave. Now, don't think I am not dissapointed about James (I am) but having the same band members does not make all the difference. What makes the difference is if Billy, Jimmy, the producers, and whatever musicians have been hired are passionate about the music. I would much rather have half of the orginal lineup play to the best of their ability than have James hlaf ass his way through it for money.

As for the arguments that are certainly going to come up about The Smashing Pumpkins being Zwan 2, this is also not true. Zwan was a group of wildly different musicians, combined with Billy purposely writing songs that did not sound like The Smashing Pumpkins. I honestly believe Zeitgeist is going to be a great album.

But please...please...PLEASE do not be like post-Roger Waters Pink Floyd.

mariner i thoroughly enjoy those pictures, and i enjoyed them when there was a picture thread way back when i first joined netphoria. probably my favorite thread while ive been here.

and yeah im not surprised, i hope billy at least tried to contact james. i have no expectations for the new album. if it is solid it will be a very pleasant surprise. i know james wasnt part of the creative process most of the time or whatever but he was still a fixture in the band, and generally the second person you talked about when remembering the smashing pumpkins. i hope the music is still good, but ive lost my excitement for it since the "reunion" was announced.

well.. i'm getting my solo album :)

mother fucker

:(

I would rather james play slop ass every night and be miserable then one of linda rowberry's friends with dyed black hair and spikey bracelets playing the songs i grew up with.

who the fuck invited you back to the boards? who said he didn't call? maybe james didn't pick up

Go suck a cock will you..

We only know what we've been told, which could be just part of the story.

I want to hear an official response from Billy and what the fuck happened.

Again, go blow a cock. Loads are a great source of vitamin c, you skinny ass mofo.

On the other hand, James' presence in the end was questionable. To me, much of the Machina era seems like James was just waiting to leave. Now, don't think I am not dissapointed about James (I am) but having the same band members does not make all the difference. What makes the difference is if Billy, Jimmy, the producers, and whatever musicians have been hired are passionate about the music. I would much rather have half of the orginal lineup play to the best of their ability than have James hlaf ass his way through it for money.

Exactly. The Smashing Pumpkins should be Billy and Jimmy with two perpetually open slots for James and Darcy should they ever have a true desire to return. Whoever takes their place on the tour should only be touring musicians.

This is the next step in the evolution of the Pumpkins - a band that's never stopped progressing.

they may never have stopped trying, but they largely stopped progressing successfully way before the band officially broke up. there are a few diamonds in the rough from 1997-2000 but it's nothing like their prolific, consistently-good, and ever-evolving output from 1991-1996.

Plus, this opens the door for James Iha to return for the follow up release.

What?


This is how rock and roll works. Band members come and go and come back and overdose and crash motorcycles and helicopters etc etc.

yeah and in many cases that's what kills good bands.


There are no rules. You don't have to like it but you should at least accept it.

wait i thought you said there were no rules. what do you even mean "should at least accept it." ?

dont ask questions.

The difference is no one outside of this messageboard and her friends knows who Linda Strawberry is.

The biggest thing in her career was the leak of her boobs. I mean, seriously, it's not like she's a famous person in the least bit.

Oh, I totally agree, however alot of sp fans have been keeping their eye out on her to see if she's in. Her blog last night was well-timed.

motherfucking cocksucking... i hope they get booed out of the metro. seriously. if they are going to suck, let it come down hard.

Again, go blow a cock. Loads are a great source of vitamin c, you skinny ass mofo.

http://us.ent1.yimg.com/images.launch.yahoo.com/000/004/449/4449210.jpg

First off, I cannot believe there are people out there on this board who are giving James crap. The Smashing Pumpkins is obviously not a part of James Iha's life anymore. He lost interest in 2000, left when he thought the band had ended, and went about his business. The man obviously does not give a shit about the band, and is enjoying doing his own things. As a matter of fact, I find his silence admirable. He never bad mouthed Billy, he never criticized The Smashing Pumpkins, he never lashed out against the reunion, he just kept quiet. As for his announcement, he very calmly said that he is not a part of The Smashing Pumpkins. If anything, this will do more damage to Billy's image as it seems Iha was not even asked to come back.

Right now I feel like James deserves as much crap as Billy has been getting. There's a double standard if we say James is an essential part of the Smashing Pumpkins and then let him off the hook for not keeping us informed. I don't see any good reason why he should have waited this long to tell us that he was not a part of the current band unless there's something else going on.

On the other hand, James' presence in the end was questionable. To me, much of the Machina era seems like James was just waiting to leave. Now, don't think I am not disappointed about James (I am) but having the same band members does not make all the difference. What makes the difference is if Billy, Jimmy, the producers, and whatever musicians have been hired are passionate about the music. I would much rather have half of the original lineup play to the best of their ability than have James half ass his way through it for money.

Agreed. If these new kids are really passionate about what they're playing and have good stage presence, I will be satisfied. If a lack of James means a lack of bullshit or tension, I'm not going to complain.

As for the arguments that are certainly going to come up about The Smashing Pumpkins being Zwan 2, this is also not true. Zwan was a group of wildly different musicians, combined with Billy purposely writing songs that did not sound like The Smashing Pumpkins. I honestly believe Zeitgeist is going to be a great album.

Agreed, again. Zeitgeist is going to be a Smashing Pumpkins album. I have never doubted that.

i think right now it's pretty clear that james iha was intentionally left out of the loop.

What?


yeah and in many cases that's what kills good bands.


wait i thought you said there were no rules. what do you even mean "should at least accept it." ?

I said that James not being around for this album does not mean that he might not show up in the future. I was jokingly trying to lighten the mood.

Sure, drugs and death and what not kills good bands, I was just saying that's the way it goes. I also said that band members come and go, as is the case here.

There are no rules to rock and roll but there's a pretty solid history of shit like this happening. We can't do anything about it. We may as well accept it. The bands keep going and we hope for the best.

Did that clarify what I what I was trying to say?

...Agreed. If these new kids are really passionate about what they're playing and have good stage presence, I will be satisfied. If a lack of James means a lack of bullshit or tension, I'm not going to complain....
james had nothing to do with the bullshit or tension. if there is ever going to be a lack of either of those things, its billy that wouldnt be involved.

the tension between the original band members, in some instances, is what made the music so damn good back in the eraly days.

but then again, that tension ultimately created machina at the end of it.

either way you go, this whole thing is turning into a sad, pathetic joke.

im proud to say that i started the shit on myspace by first posting a comment about the rolling stones article

this news is sad. i have always felt this is the way things would turn out.

after seeing james in new york and others seeing him as well i figured this would be the case.

The fact that Bill has stated that he and james have not spoken since the end of the final show was a pretty clear indication that this was the way it would turn out.

we don't live in a fairy tale world where everything has a happy ending.

I am still looking forward to buying the album because quite frankly i have nothing else to look forward to as far as new music goes. :cry:

You can tell which people on MySpace are from Netphoria...

oh great, now 'phoria is being drawn into the fray on the myspace page. woohoo! :)

by all means, take it over there and lighten the load over here.

james had nothing to do with the bullshit or tension. if there is ever going to be a lack of either of those things, its billy that wouldnt be involved.

I wrote that considering that Billy was telling the truth in his confessions regarding James being the difficult one at the end. Silly I know, but I'm hoping that things will be better this time around since Billy really just has Jimmy to worry about (and they're best friends!). If the new guitarist and bassist do anything more than take orders I'll be surprised.

List of people/entities I/we are mad at:

Billy

James

Linda

Netphoria

Ourselves

People we are not mad at:

Jimmy

I love you Jimmy!

by all means, take it over there and lighten the load over here.

fuck that - i'm not posting . first time i've been there actually. it's pretty sad.

List of people/entities I/we are mad at:

Billy

James

Linda

Netphoria

Ourselves

People we are not mad at:

Jimmy

I love you Jimmy!

At least we're consistent!

fuck that - i'm not posting . first time i've been there actually. it's pretty sad.
i'm just saying, you're stuffing up the server while some of us are over here trying to discuss important topics like classic surf films!

It would be very interesting to know what the legal ramifications are for Corgan using the band's name. Was it contractual that Billy has complete control over the name? Did he buy out James' stake? Does James get any money the new band makes? Can James make a band called the Smashing Pumpkins, thus making a court decide the fate of the band's name?

i'm just saying, you're stuffing up the server while some of us are over here trying to discuss important topics like classic surf films!

Endless Summer. nuff said.

This doesn't change anything anyway, i don't know why so many people are outraged, offended, or disturbed by james not joining the band. in his history since leaving the pumpkins he's played a minimal part on a song or two for bands on his label, played butt boy for a band that was lead by another bald guitar player named billy who didn't even let him play on but one recorded song, and pretended he was a hott Florida DJ. As much as billy's post pumpkins albums have been lacking, at least he went right to making new music. the same goes for jimmy, i find it outrageous that since the breakup of the band that the drummer would put out a solo album before the other guitarist/singer. They may not have made mellon collie after mellon collie but at least they did what they've always done. make music.

billy may not have called james but does that mean james couldn't call billy? anyone who says billy corgan is a dick for not trying to contact james is a moron. the guy LEFT the band, causing it to break up to begin with. who in their right mind calls their ex who dumped them to ask them to go back out with them? someone who is weak and doesn't have the integrity to move on with their lives and with their band.

del repeat

jimmy needs to post on netphoria and set everyone straight.

what a joke. i will not buy this album or make any effort to see this band.

Well, this was all to be expected. But I don't understand the automatic assumption that Billy's the only asshole here. Count me in the camp that gives James his ample share of the blame. If James hasn't spoken to Billy in years, then that's probably because he never returned the guy's calls or responded to any efforts to reach out. And if that's the case, then the stuff in Billy's blog about the end of the band suddenly looks a whole lot more plausible.

Let's call a spade a spade here kids. James Iha is probably not a nice guy. Probably never has been. You don't put up with Billy Corgan for 13 years if you're the saint that a lot of you seem to think James is. I know the popular view of him is that he's the quiet guy who got pushed around by Billy for a decade but weathered the storm anyway, but come on. He's never seemed particularly enthusiastic about the music or the band. He's never seemed to give two hoots about the fans. He could have put this whole issue to rest months ago; but he waits until now, when the new SP record is finished and the tour is gearing up, to pull the rug out...apparently so he can tell everyone about his solo album. What a guy.

Billy could have put this stuff to rest even easier, so don't think I'm letting him off the hook here. I just don't think we should be shedding any tears over James's lack of involvement. The guy wants nothing to do with Billy, and nothing to do with SP fans, and apparently hasn't for a long time. The band will probably be better for his absence. If you're a Smashing Pumpkins fan, then now is the time to wait and see how the album and tour will turn out. If you're a James Iha fan, you can jump off now and wait for what I'm sure is going to be a great solo album. :rolleyes:

i do want to hear Corgan Rules' thoughts on this though.

Tabatha





Apr 6 2007 2:40P

netpwhoria is a piece of shit
blamo rocks
:rofl:

i do want to hear Corgan Rules' thoughts on this though.

Fuck you to all you people that say Billy Corgan is an asshole for not calling James. Billy obviously doesn't even need him because Zeitgeist is going to be AWESOME!! I'll bet all you losers sit at home all day and listen to Let It Come Down and cry about how James never got the respect he deserves. Well, Billy is better off WITHOUT HIM! Why don't you leave this board and go join a James board and let all the REAL FANS post here in peace!!!

:D

If you're a Smashing Pumpkins fan, then now is the time to wait and see how the album and tour will turn out. If you're a James Iha fan, you can jump off now and wait for what I'm sure is going to be a great solo album. :rolleyes:

Well said.

...and for the record, i've talked to a lot of fans, and none of them would stop caring just because it was billy + jimmy. they are the 2 drivign musicla forces within the band, end of story. not saying it was ONLY them...but it was MOSTLY them.

You're a piece of shit.

I've been telling you idiots that James & D'arcy were out for months!

Next time listen to me.

If Strawberry is part of this lineup, it will be a great big joke. :smoke:

I still think Jame is really a great guy. And James and Darcy will always be Pumpkins to me.

Billy + Jimmy is great but they better have some great balancing energies to along with..... we shall see. Melissa didn't do one thing for me ....
we shall see

del

more interesting than his lack of involvement (because really we knew that) is the mention of the lack of communication with billy. this implies quite heavily (at least to me) that he was never even asked.

and that leaves one hell of a sour taste in my mouth.

Precisely. I'm done with billy from now on. I don't care what the songs are like.

I agree with Corganist.

It's okay to be disappointed that James isn't in the band but holy fucking crap you guys are lame.

A lot of great bands change members, and this band changed its members plenty of times during the "golden era".

If the album is good, who the fuck cares?
It should be about the music, not the lineup.

Bands change members, yes they do. SP did that when they were around, but reforming the band with others instead of those who made you and band what they are is just wrong.

If billy had just asked, things would be different.

well, its as simple as this

sp2 won't capture the spirit of sp1

just imagine the energy and the awe that would be the original 4 playing cherub rock just one more time

its just a shame they climbed the fame ladder so high and so lamely that they lost sight of what they meant to their fans

i totally agree.
yeah, it was. and now it's his mistake.
that's where he's wrong, though. yeah it gets him more visibility initially, but in the long run continuing on under that name without james and d'arcy is making the same mistake he made in 1996; the one that triggered the decline and eventually the end of the band.
it's fully clear now that he's using the name in an attempt to rekindle whatever it is that was missing the last 7+ years, and because he knows it's got a high profile and therefore gives him a better chance at being heard. do you know what that ends up looking like to any remotely astute observer? that he doesn't trust his own abilities and the quality of the new music to do the talking for him. the internet/digital media hold amazing possibilities for distribution and reputation. if it's good, people will hear it and tell their friends. there is no need for him to stand on the shoulder of the pumpkins' past work - regardless of his true intent it makes him look like he fears that no one will be listening otherwise. that comes off as an insult to his fans and an indication that he has no idea how quickly good art can spread these days.

on top of all of that, i think he underestimates the reputation that the smashing pumpkins has with people who were in their formative music-listening years in the mid-1990s. that's the generation which is just starting to hit its stride in important places throughout society and the music industry specifically, and right or wrong a lot of people are going to see billy using 'smashing pumpkins' without two of the original members as an insult to the band's good legacy and a pathetic display of a lack of self-confidence on billy's part.
if the music's good, why should it be released under the Pumpkins name? this is a new era and it's a new band. why not step out with a fresh start?
it is. he's making a huge mistake.
well bill's certainly making it difficult to extricate the one from the other, isn't he?

This is the best post in this thread.

I'm surprised by sppunks post. :noway:

1. It's not just "fuck Billy", it's "fuck James" for waiting so long to tell us this.

Why should james have to say he's not in? I don't see why its his job to do so. RS asked him, and instead of no comment, he spoke the truth. You're a brainless cunt.

Someone quote me since she has me on ignore.

You guys are idiots if you actually though James was in the band. Don't you think they would have announced his presence a long time ago if he was around....not just announcing that it's jimmy and bill.

Besides, it's been pretty evident that james and bill don't like each other. I don't get how some of you are shocked by this announcement.

Why should james have to say he's not in? I don't see why its his job to do so. RS asked him, and instead of no comment, he spoke the truth. You're a brainless cunt.

Someone quote me since she has me on ignore.

Done and done, since you're right

sup lee?

Why should james have to say he's not in? I don't see why its his job to do so. RS asked him, and instead of no comment, he spoke the truth. You're a brainless cunt.

Someone quote me since she has me on ignore.
Do you think this is the first time any reporter thought to ask him? I doubt it. Why did he decide to make a statement now instead of 6 months or a year ago? I find it very convenient that he waits until he has plans for a solo album to talk about before he comes out of his hole.

James liked having his name thrown around again...can't blame him

I am still looking forward to buying the album because quite frankly i have nothing else to look forward to as far as new music goes. :cry:

There is plenty of good music out there. Go to the music board on netphoria for recommendations of many more bands and songs. There is life outside billy, and if you fail to see that, they you're just fucking clueless.

I had hopes that James would be in. Oh well. What a jerk.

Word up, Meeks

Do you think this is the first time any reporter thought to ask him? I doubt it. Why did he decide to make a statement now instead of 6 months or a year ago? I find it very convenient that he waits until he has plans for a solo album to talk about before he comes out of his hole.

Or hey, maybe Billy hasn't even been in touch with him and it's only now he's decided 'ok, looks like he's not going to ask me to be involved, may as well say I'm not in for sure'

I've been telling you idiots that James & D'arcy were out for months!

Next time listen to me.

If Strawberry is part of this lineup, it will be a great big joke. :smoke:

The icing on the cake will be her next blog. Letting us all know that she's touring with sp.