Spin interview with Billy and James - Page 3

TriHell · 03:02 AM

I wish Billy would toss his ego aside for a second, and not be so passive aggressive towards James and D'arcy... He loves em deep down, you know he does! And James complemented Billy so well as a second guitar - sure, Billy got the power solos, but when I watch old perfomances, they're totally playing together, not like it sometimes seemed with Zwan where all the guitars seemed to be kinda doing their own thing. Billy should sit down with James and co-write some more songs... people seem to forget, but Mayonnaise was the both of em, and seemed like it always treated that way. I want D'arcy back in the band at least as much though. I only got a chance to see the Pumpkins once at their last Seattle date, and while Melissa Auf is a respectable bass player, she has this really aggressive bass style that kinda makes the pieces feel really tense and overblown. D'arcy totally added that mellow vibe, the soft side of the songs, the ability to just slow down and indulge in the moment, even when the song was something like XYU. And watching her she always seemed lost in the music, glazed over expression bopping steadily to the beat. And Jimmy is of course undeniably important for reasons we've all witnessed. The band's relationship may have never been the best - I doubt they ever really held hands and cried, but damnit, the 4 of them on stage was something so completely majestic... godamn, I just want the chance to see them all up there without the filter of a camera lense.

So damnit Billy, come around and realize those were the only 3 people in the world you could have done that with - you owe em your entire career the oppertunity to express yourself like you did. Learn some godamn humility and let 'em know.

Also, I don't really see why people are so sure James wouldn't be willing to comming back.

teh b0lly!!1 · 07-22-2005, 07:11 AM

http://www.jamesiha.org/gallery/albu...4kerrang05.jpg

ah, so ironic...

Wiggy · 07-22-2005, 07:53 AM

ha, I was thinking that when I saw it last night

TriHell · 07-22-2005, 08:27 AM

D'arcy's still a winner in my book. Which is fortunate because it's the book containing all winners of all time. Don't D'arcy bash anyhow, she's a sensitive girl. She needs loooooove.

Ugly · 07-22-2005, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TriHell

Also, I don't really see why people are so sure James wouldn't be willing to comming back - I mean, if you check out the website, he's obviously (or maybe his webmaster is, but undoubtadly with consent) staying ontop of everything Corgan does. Even if there was something that came to split the two of them, I think James still likes or at least respects Corgan. I don't know how much of this nay-saying is really founded. I mean come on, on his site they even refused to post some review related to Corgan because it was "too bad". If James was out for blood or done with him, why would there be any problem with bashing Corgan's solo efforts?

I'm pretty sure James' site is just a fansite, ala Netphoria.

oddhandle · 07-22-2005, 11:40 PM

Billy's quote about asians really makes me reconsider Pajo's rant about how Billy distrusts all asians... and when he's in these bands and everyone is playing along he can't say enough about how great everyone is (remember how everyone in Zwan were "great friends" and how the pumpkins were "a real band") and then when things fall apart everyone else is suddenly to blame.

I guess if I were working 15 hour days to do 8,000 guitar parts on a double album with another 5 EPs and I decided to clear my head with a little Grand Tourismo I wouldn't expect to catch shit.

James and D'arcy haven't answered the big question yet, and if they weren't going to at least consider it I would guess they would put out the "NO!" right away so people wouldn't bug them with it. D'arcy may depend on James, and James may require convincing from Jimmy. I'd like to think that Jimmy (being reasonable) would insist that James and D'arcy have first right of refusal -- if they don't want to play that's fine, but nobody gets cut out of the group. It happened once and was bad mojo all around.

TriHell · 07-23-2005, 02:51 AM

I don't know if D'arcy would depend on James - at this point I might sugges that James might depend on D'arcy. James and D'arcy didn't really seem to get along with Jimmy too well, so I don't know if his influence would help. I swear the key is for Billy to go hang out with D'arcy first. Since she's not off playing with some other band, I think getting her on board is essential to getting James to maybe consider it seriously. Besides, Billy and D'arcy used to get along just fine - they were the tag team for interviews during MCIS - and that was during when I think James and Billy started really splitting apart. I think D'arcy left because she didn't vibe with the whole machina mystery concept; I think James was the sort to finish through and tour on an album he was around for the making of, but I doubt he would have lasted for another record with D'arcy gone even if they weren't already breaking up.

Dead · 07-23-2005, 02:58 AM

James & D'arcy aren't coming back!!

TriHell · 07-23-2005, 03:01 AM

You take that back! They are!

TuralyonW3 · 07-23-2005, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dead
James & D'arcy aren't coming back!!

But that begs the question, why haven't they said no?

Also, wouldnt' that be some HARDCORE SHIT if Jimmy said that he would only be in if james and/or darcy was in? That would throw William for a big loop.

Dead · 07-23-2005, 03:07 AM

Well maybe they haven't said no because nobody has asked them.

JRiordan · 07-23-2005, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TuralyonW3
Also, wouldnt' that be some HARDCORE SHIT if Jimmy said that he would only be in if james and/or darcy was in? That would throw William for a big loop.

I never thought about that... well, because it won't happen. But it was funny reading that.

JRiordan · 07-23-2005, 04:38 AM

And lest we forget what is probably the most significant news item besides the announcement itself, Jimmy's comments in the Sun-Times:

http://www.suntimes.com/output/enter...r-jimmy27.html

"All I can say is that the Smashing Pumpkins are Billy, James, myself and D'Arcy," Chamberlin said. "In an ideal world, that's what it will end up being. The hope is that everybody will come to the table, but I can only speak for myself in saying that I'm in, and I'm excited."

Chamberlin said he has not spoken to Wretzky since she left the band in August 1999. He communicates with Iha by e-mail, and though they have not discussed the Pumpkins reunion, "I intend to reach out to him."

The drummer said he and Corgan have been talking about reforming the band "for some time," but he doesn't know whether the singer and songwriter has spoken to Iha and Wretzky, or if Corgan simply "opened the door" for them to return when he placed two full-page advertisements last week in the Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune.

"It's still all very new, and I don't know if anybody really knows what's going on," Chamberlin said. "We really haven't sat down at the table and figured out the nuts and bolts."

==========================

JRiordan · 07-23-2005, 04:43 AM

Also, it sucks that this interview is coming out now, after the announcement. Billy is sending a pretty negative vibe about the band reforming with the original members. But how long has he been deceiving people? Recall that he said:

"For a year now I have walked around with a secret..."

"The door is clearly open," the star said when asked if he will perform again with the best-known lineup of drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, guitarist James Iha and bassist D'Arcy Wretzky. "What I've done is I've set the intention. It's going to happen."

Read it again yourself:
http://www.suntimes.com/output/enter...r-billy22.html

oddhandle · 07-23-2005, 09:52 AM

Also, consider how long James and D'arcy stayed in the band while Billy thrashed them in the press for being worthless. Hell, they even stayed with them when Jimmy was fired and the band had to rethink its sound -- that would have been a good time to bust out. So I really don't think Billy talking shit in the press is really going to rile the other two.

However... if Billy is talking shit because he doesn't intend on allowing James and D'arcy back in the lineup, and that's why he is being cryptic, then that's fucked up and I hope they make a shitty album that sells 1/2 what Machina did. That's bad karma, totally selling out, and disrespecting the band's legacy because your last two projects aren't getting enough love.

I really wouldn't mind so much if he played a few SP tunes while solo, I don't see the big deal. But if the new SP is going to be The Doors in the 21st Century, he can fuck the fuck off.

Cool As Ice Cream · 07-23-2005, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dead
SP reunion will be Billy, Jimmy, and some new people. If it happens.

Indeed.

If the Pumpkins wouldn't have broken up back in 2000, it would have been the exact same situation. D'arcy was already out and James wanted to quit.

Dead · 07-23-2005, 01:51 PM

They should get Slash for guitar, Axl Rose for tambourine, and Mark Hoppus for bass.

COG · 07-23-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dead
Asians. I give them a thumbs up for having attractive women. Thanks, asians!

Thats so wrong, how dare you group them all together like that.

psyren · 07-23-2005, 01:58 PM

Well, the tour finishes on 5th August. So after some corgan rest time (its been proven he can't rest long, after pumpkins he began writing for Zwan blah blah) maybe we'll get some news as he turns his attention back to what he announced in june....

C'mon, if James and D'arcy we're in, theres no way in hell it'd be a case of each of them casually saying "err...yeah,...i'll do it". It'd be a secretive mystic load of crap where everybody is asking questions and then one day theres a big announcement in some magazine. So maybe the silence is a good thing?

But that said, I'm expecting 2 new members. Still hoping tho....

COG · 07-23-2005, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dead

Or it means that James is above playing the blame game and dishing out personal info to the press and dissing his former bandmates.

Well, yeah, but I was talking about that interview when he was asked directly about it. Also like I said, I don't mean "OMG James ruined my pumpkins!" I'm talking about what Billy really said, that James wanted out and he didn't want to continue without him.

Silver-bolt · 07-23-2005, 02:37 PM

do you think billy will replace darcy and james with another female and asian (a la zwan) ?

Esotarious · 07-23-2005, 02:40 PM

I can see them just fucking with everyone. Billy has apparently been working on this a long time. Everyone's jaw is just going to drop when they are all up there. That would be really intelligent to just kind of spread disinformation and make people's perceptions of the situation completely different from what they are......or they could really be like that...who knows? I just don't know why he'd be "working on the reunion" for a year. It's not that difficult.

plume · 07-23-2005, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dead
Asians. I give them a thumbs up for having attractive women. Thanks, asians!

I give them a thumbs down for censoring their porn. wtf?

COG · 07-23-2005, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Silver-bolt
do you think billy will replace darcy and james with another female and asian (a la zwan) ?

Dude, I broke the news on another thread, it's gonna be Billy, Jimmy, a random un-named, or one named female (likely un-named) and a robot. You see asians are incredibly efficient (their I go with the stereotyping), but even an asian is not as efficient as a robot.

P.S.- All asians are ninjas. Except for russians, which most people seem to forget are asian.

P.P.S.- All russians are large bearded individuals named Carloff and Boris who drink Vodka like water. It's true

Dead · 07-23-2005, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by plume

I give them a thumbs down for censoring their porn. wtf?

Not all of it.

Corganist · 07-23-2005, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oddhandle

I really wouldn't mind so much if he played a few SP tunes while solo, I don't see the big deal. But if the new SP is going to be The Doors in the 21st Century, he can fuck the fuck off.

Oh c'mon. As much as I would prefer the original SP to be reunified as opposed to having Billy, Jimmy, and two strangers, this kind of comparison is a little silly. SP without Darcy and James is nowhere close to the sort of sacrilege and farce that the Doors without Jim Morrison is.

oddhandle · 07-23-2005, 07:01 PM

Unless you hold the doors in high esteem because of the music, which many (including myself) do... the Doors 21st century is crap because it isn't The Doors, if they called it The Hinges or something and played a few Doors covers then at least you wouldn't need to make that comparison. Dave Grohl and Chris and Pat Smear could have carried on with Nirvana, and been at least as successful as Foo Fighters, but why not just be a different band? Why piss on something you can't get back?

Sadly for Billy, every time he opens his fucking mouth he makes James look better, like he was possibly the only normal guy in that band.

Why exactly would anyone believe Billy ever again, about anything? And it's not just that he's going back to the Pumpkins, he has been lying from day one, and then he later attempts to spin or justify the lie to suit his needs. Am I right?

Corganist · 07-23-2005, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oddhandle
Unless you hold the doors in high esteem because of the music, which many (including myself) do... the Doors 21st century is crap because it isn't The Doors, if they called it The Hinges or something and played a few Doors covers then at least you wouldn't need to make that comparison. Dave Grohl and Chris and Pat Smear could have carried on with Nirvana, and been at least as successful as Foo Fighters, but why not just be a different band? Why piss on something you can't get back?

I think you're really stretching things if you consider James and Darcy to be as big a component to SP as Jim Morrison was to the Doors, or Kurt Cobain was to Nirvana. Its almost preposterous. That kind of comparison would be better suited to James, Darcy, and Jimmy touring as Smashing Pumpkins sans Billy. The Doors 21st Century isn't crap just because its not the original lineup, its because its missing the MAJOR and most crucial part of the lineup. SP won't have that problem, no matter what, since the two major contributors to the band are already on board.

Quote:

Why exactly would anyone believe Billy ever again, about anything? And it's not just that he's going back to the Pumpkins, he has been lying from day one, and then he later attempts to spin or justify the lie to suit his needs. Am I right?

Its just Billy being Billy. I don't see how people can have such a religious notion of SP as this holy thing that even Billy can't touch, but at the same time they're continually shocked by the fact that Billy Corgan acts like a primadonna, as though its not something he's been doing for his whole career. You ask why anyone would believe Billy ever again? I wonder why you'd believe him in the first place. Its a lot easier just to enjoy the ride than get all wrapped up in this idea that Billy owes it to anybody to be straightforward or nice.

oddhandle · 07-23-2005, 07:28 PM

Quote:

You ask why anyone would believe Billy ever again? I wonder why you'd believe him in the first place. Its a lot easier just to enjoy the ride than get all wrapped up in this idea that Billy owes it to anybody to be straightforward or nice.

So why then would you believe Billy when he says James and D'arcy didn't contribute in the studio? For the record, he has also said throughout the life of the band that they did contribute.

You're making asssumptions based on what Billy says to be true, and then you're telling me not to listen to Billy. I mean, dude...

And the Doors thing flew over your head and hit the wall. Whatever.

Corganist · 07-23-2005, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oddhandle

So why then would you believe Billy when he says James and D'arcy didn't contribute in the studio? For the record, he has also said throughout the life of the band that they did contribute.

You're making asssumptions based on what Billy says to be true, and then you're telling me not to listen to Billy. I mean, dude...

Who said I was basing anything on Billy's side of things? The idea that Billy and Jimmy were the main factors in SP didn't come about based on anything Billy said recently. People have been saying it for years and years, because its pretty easily observed. I have no doubt that Billy unfairly downplays James and Darcy's contributions, but then again, his recent comments do a lot to confirm earlier suspicions people have gathered independently that Billy and Jimmy were the whole show, more or less.

Quote:

And the Doors thing flew over your head and hit the wall. Whatever.

The Doors thing is just a bad comparison. Period. The factors that make the 21st Century Doors such a bad idea really aren't present for the SP reunion.

07-22-2005, 06:35 AM	#61
TriHell Pledge Posts: 119	I wish Billy would toss his ego aside for a second, and not be so passive aggressive towards James and D'arcy... He loves em deep down, you know he does! And James complemented Billy so well as a second guitar - sure, Billy got the power solos, but when I watch old perfomances, they're totally playing together, not like it sometimes seemed with Zwan where all the guitars seemed to be kinda doing their own thing. Billy should sit down with James and co-write some more songs... people seem to forget, but Mayonnaise was the both of em, and seemed like it always treated that way. I want D'arcy back in the band at least as much though. I only got a chance to see the Pumpkins once at their last Seattle date, and while Melissa Auf is a respectable bass player, she has this really aggressive bass style that kinda makes the pieces feel really tense and overblown. D'arcy totally added that mellow vibe, the soft side of the songs, the ability to just slow down and indulge in the moment, even when the song was something like XYU. And watching her she always seemed lost in the music, glazed over expression bopping steadily to the beat. And Jimmy is of course undeniably important for reasons we've all witnessed. The band's relationship may have never been the best - I doubt they ever really held hands and cried, but damnit, the 4 of them on stage was something so completely majestic... godamn, I just want the chance to see them all up there without the filter of a camera lense. So damnit Billy, come around and realize those were the only 3 people in the world you could have done that with - you owe em your entire career the oppertunity to express yourself like you did. Learn some godamn humility and let 'em know. Also, I don't really see why people are so sure James wouldn't be willing to comming back. Last edited by TriHell : 07-23-2005 at 03:02 AM.

07-23-2005, 02:40 PM	#82
Esotarious Pledge Location: Indiana Posts: 198	Funny Shit I can see them just fucking with everyone. Billy has apparently been working on this a long time. Everyone's jaw is just going to drop when they are all up there. That would be really intelligent to just kind of spread disinformation and make people's perceptions of the situation completely different from what they are......or they could really be like that...who knows? I just don't know why he'd be "working on the reunion" for a year. It's not that difficult.

07-22-2005, 07:11 AM	#62
teh b0lly!!1 Braindead Location: PROWLING THE BADLANDS Posts: 17,399	http://www.jamesiha.org/gallery/albu...4kerrang05.jpg ah, so ironic...

07-22-2005, 07:53 AM	#63
Wiggy Pledge Posts: 150	ha, I was thinking that when I saw it last night

07-22-2005, 08:27 AM	#64
TriHell Pledge Posts: 119	D'arcy's still a winner in my book. Which is fortunate because it's the book containing all winners of all time. Don't D'arcy bash anyhow, she's a sensitive girl. She needs loooooove.

07-22-2005, 11:40 PM	#66
oddhandle Pledge Posts: 176	Billy's quote about asians really makes me reconsider Pajo's rant about how Billy distrusts all asians... and when he's in these bands and everyone is playing along he can't say enough about how great everyone is (remember how everyone in Zwan were "great friends" and how the pumpkins were "a real band") and then when things fall apart everyone else is suddenly to blame. I guess if I were working 15 hour days to do 8,000 guitar parts on a double album with another 5 EPs and I decided to clear my head with a little Grand Tourismo I wouldn't expect to catch shit. James and D'arcy haven't answered the big question yet, and if they weren't going to at least consider it I would guess they would put out the "NO!" right away so people wouldn't bug them with it. D'arcy may depend on James, and James may require convincing from Jimmy. I'd like to think that Jimmy (being reasonable) would insist that James and D'arcy have first right of refusal -- if they don't want to play that's fine, but nobody gets cut out of the group. It happened once and was bad mojo all around.

07-23-2005, 02:51 AM	#67
TriHell Pledge Posts: 119	I don't know if D'arcy would depend on James - at this point I might sugges that James might depend on D'arcy. James and D'arcy didn't really seem to get along with Jimmy too well, so I don't know if his influence would help. I swear the key is for Billy to go hang out with D'arcy first. Since she's not off playing with some other band, I think getting her on board is essential to getting James to maybe consider it seriously. Besides, Billy and D'arcy used to get along just fine - they were the tag team for interviews during MCIS - and that was during when I think James and Billy started really splitting apart. I think D'arcy left because she didn't vibe with the whole machina mystery concept; I think James was the sort to finish through and tour on an album he was around for the making of, but I doubt he would have lasted for another record with D'arcy gone even if they weren't already breaking up.

07-23-2005, 02:58 AM	#68
Dead Deaddy is your daddy! Location: Veronica Mars played with my Wii. Posts: 39,173	James & D'arcy aren't coming back!!

07-23-2005, 03:01 AM	#69
TriHell Pledge Posts: 119	You take that back! They are!

07-23-2005, 03:07 AM	#71
Dead Deaddy is your daddy! Location: Veronica Mars played with my Wii. Posts: 39,173	Well maybe they haven't said no because nobody has asked them.

07-23-2005, 04:38 AM	#73
JRiordan Apocalyptic Poster Location: Chicago Posts: 2,863	And lest we forget what is probably the most significant news item besides the announcement itself, Jimmy's comments in the Sun-Times: http://www.suntimes.com/output/enter...r-jimmy27.html "All I can say is that the Smashing Pumpkins are Billy, James, myself and D'Arcy," Chamberlin said. "In an ideal world, that's what it will end up being. The hope is that everybody will come to the table, but I can only speak for myself in saying that I'm in, and I'm excited." Chamberlin said he has not spoken to Wretzky since she left the band in August 1999. He communicates with Iha by e-mail, and though they have not discussed the Pumpkins reunion, "I intend to reach out to him." The drummer said he and Corgan have been talking about reforming the band "for some time," but he doesn't know whether the singer and songwriter has spoken to Iha and Wretzky, or if Corgan simply "opened the door" for them to return when he placed two full-page advertisements last week in the Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune. "It's still all very new, and I don't know if anybody really knows what's going on," Chamberlin said. "We really haven't sat down at the table and figured out the nuts and bolts." ==========================

07-23-2005, 04:43 AM	#74
JRiordan Apocalyptic Poster Location: Chicago Posts: 2,863	Also, it sucks that this interview is coming out now, after the announcement. Billy is sending a pretty negative vibe about the band reforming with the original members. But how long has he been deceiving people? Recall that he said: "For a year now I have walked around with a secret..." "The door is clearly open," the star said when asked if he will perform again with the best-known lineup of drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, guitarist James Iha and bassist D'Arcy Wretzky. "What I've done is I've set the intention. It's going to happen." Read it again yourself: http://www.suntimes.com/output/enter...r-billy22.html

07-23-2005, 09:52 AM	#75
oddhandle Pledge Posts: 176	Also, consider how long James and D'arcy stayed in the band while Billy thrashed them in the press for being worthless. Hell, they even stayed with them when Jimmy was fired and the band had to rethink its sound -- that would have been a good time to bust out. So I really don't think Billy talking shit in the press is really going to rile the other two. However... if Billy is talking shit because he doesn't intend on allowing James and D'arcy back in the lineup, and that's why he is being cryptic, then that's fucked up and I hope they make a shitty album that sells 1/2 what Machina did. That's bad karma, totally selling out, and disrespecting the band's legacy because your last two projects aren't getting enough love. I really wouldn't mind so much if he played a few SP tunes while solo, I don't see the big deal. But if the new SP is going to be The Doors in the 21st Century, he can fuck the fuck off.

07-23-2005, 01:51 PM	#77
Dead Deaddy is your daddy! Location: Veronica Mars played with my Wii. Posts: 39,173	They should get Slash for guitar, Axl Rose for tambourine, and Mark Hoppus for bass.

07-23-2005, 01:58 PM	#79
psyren Pledge Location: London, UK Posts: 112	Well, the tour finishes on 5th August. So after some corgan rest time (its been proven he can't rest long, after pumpkins he began writing for Zwan blah blah) maybe we'll get some news as he turns his attention back to what he announced in june.... C'mon, if James and D'arcy we're in, theres no way in hell it'd be a case of each of them casually saying "err...yeah,...i'll do it". It'd be a secretive mystic load of crap where everybody is asking questions and then one day theres a big announcement in some magazine. So maybe the silence is a good thing? But that said, I'm expecting 2 new members. Still hoping tho....

07-23-2005, 02:37 PM	#81
Silver-bolt Demi-God Location: UK Posts: 441	do you think billy will replace darcy and james with another female and asian (a la zwan) ?

07-23-2005, 07:01 PM	#87
oddhandle Pledge Posts: 176	Unless you hold the doors in high esteem because of the music, which many (including myself) do... the Doors 21st century is crap because it isn't The Doors, if they called it The Hinges or something and played a few Doors covers then at least you wouldn't need to make that comparison. Dave Grohl and Chris and Pat Smear could have carried on with Nirvana, and been at least as successful as Foo Fighters, but why not just be a different band? Why piss on something you can't get back? Sadly for Billy, every time he opens his fucking mouth he makes James look better, like he was possibly the only normal guy in that band. Why exactly would anyone believe Billy ever again, about anything? And it's not just that he's going back to the Pumpkins, he has been lying from day one, and then he later attempts to spin or justify the lie to suit his needs. Am I right?