Billy & D'Arcy - A Timeline

[amoergosum]

1998:

"I think that's probably one of the most misunderstood things about the Pumpkins is that it is the inner dynamic that we have that makes our music very poignant to us and people get very caught up in like 'I did this, they did that'. It's never been like that for us. It really is the chemistry between us.
The other day I was doing an interview and the guy asked me 'why is it important for James and D'Arcy to still be in the band?'. And I said 'well, every song that I've ever written that means anything to me, James and D'Arcy were in the room...so...whatever that chemistry is...whatever dynamic we have...it's a magical thing and at this point we don't even question it'. I feel very strongly that D'Arcy really is the moral conscience of the band. I mean...D'Arcy is the strongest person in the band and James is probably the most sensitive. In between the two of them there's a polar axis that goes on that levels me out and I think pulls them in and out so it's pretty amazing."



2016:

"And speaking of those I’ve been fortunate enough to share the stage with, I see that it’s D’arcy Wretzky’s birthday today: So a big and happy B-Day to her from here! I’m encouraged to hear that she is playing music once more, and writing songs. As I’ve often said, no one had better musical discernment in our band than she.

As I head home, it’s crazy to think that it was nearly 30 years ago that I began this wild and wooly journey, and that meeting James, then D’arcy, then Jimmy would alter all of our lives forever; for the better, I would argue. Which I suppose makes the hardships that came too, bittersweet. And as I feel speculation start to swirl about what happens next for SP, I’d like to say quite simply and directly that what matters most to Jeff and I is the music. Because from our darkest days together over the last 10 years it’s been our faith that the music we make, and by extension our loving curation of the songs made from the beginning on, that’d sail this old, creaky ship forward to another year."

https://www.stereogum.com/1874678/bi...em-essay/news/


"There’s excitement there that surrounds the idea that maybe there’s the possibility that we will get back together, but until you here it coming from my mouth that the band is getting back together and we will play dates, my primary concern is the family relationships of the band that are ultimately so much more important. I can tell you without a doubt that if that band ever gets back on stage, it will be about music, it will be about playing music that fans love, and that we love."

https://www.stereogum.com/1894249/bi...n-rumors/news/


2017:

"Howard asked Billy if he’s getting along with the original Smashing Pumpkins members now, and Billy said that he is. He said he was thinking about it the other night, and that they gave him this faith that he didn’t have with his family, as they were following him when no one else would. He said without them in the beginning, he wouldn’t have had anything.

Howard said that Billy’s Smashing Pumpkins bandmates risked their future with him, and he feels that way about his radio partners Robin, Fred, Gary, and even the guys who joined later, as they’re putting their careers on the line for him. Billy said that they didn’t question it at all in the beginning. Howard said Robin always had his back, and it brings him to tears. Billy said he has the same emotion about the original Smashing Pumpkins.

He said that he was recently apologizing to D’arcy for being an asshole in the band and she cut him off and said, “Billy. You wrote so many great songs, you had to be that way.” He said it was a profoundly healing moment."

https://www.alternativenation.net/sm...izing-asshole/


"But drummer Jimmy Chamberlin returned to the band in 2015, and the next year Corgan smoothed things over with Iha and even reestablished a relationship with reclusive bassist D'arcy Wretzky. "I talk to D'arcy all the time," says Corgan. "We reconnected, I guess, about a year and half ago. We talk really regularly. I'm really happy to have her back in my life."

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/f...mpkins-w504739


2018:

"Speaking exclusively to BlastEcho via text, Wretzky wrote, “My apologies to all of the Smashing Pumpkins fans out there who are excited about this oncoming reunion tour of the original members of the band. I know this is a huge disappointment for me, as well, but it’s not going to happen [with me].”

She added, “I only just found about yesterday that the band has decided to go with a different bass player.” "

https://blastecho.com/exclusive-darc...pkins-reunion/


"However, now Corgan has taken to Instagram to shoot down the rumours of himself, Iha or Schroeder picking up the bass, suggesting that the band will most likely now have three guitarists and perhaps a session player on bass duties. He also downplayed the role that Wretsky played in the band’s 2000 album ‘Machina’ and key moments of their earlier work – referring to her as a ‘flaxen Saxon’."

http://www.nme.com/news/music/billy-...t-role-2237234