BILLY CORGAN Is In Contact With All Members Of SMASHING PUMPKINS' Classic Lineup

Billy Corgan has taken to social media to comment on rumors of a reunion of SMASHING PUMPKINS' lineup. Addressing reports that he has been in talks with guitarist James Iha, bassist D'Arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin about playing together again, Corgan said in a video message: “There are some things going on, but they're the type of things I didn't even think were worth talking about, because they're more private than public. But at the same point, I don't want people speculating about something that's got nothing to do with what's going on."

He continued: "First off, we're back in contact again, the band. I've been in communication with D'Arcy for the first time in 16 or 17 years. It's awesome to have my friend back. So we're all in communication, which as I said not too long ago, my primary interest in the old band was us having good relationships again.

"So, of course, when you get to the point where you're in communication, and the relationships are good again, and it's a good vibe, you yourself, and people around you who know what's going on, start saying: 'Is the band going to get back together?'

"We're not at that point, and I think that's a good thing. We're not rushing to something. We have to repair some things between us, and see what's out there for us, if those opportunities are even there.

"We're not interested, nor have we ever been interested, in just going out to play because there's a big stack of money there. Of course, the business is part of what goes on, but the band was never about that, and if the band should ever be again in that form, in some iteration, obviously because there's other people involved, because it would be about the music. So speculate away, because that's from me, not an anonymous source.

"There's excitement there that surrounds the idea that maybe there's the possibility that we will get back together, but until you hear 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.

He concluded: "I can tell you without a doubt that if that band ever gets back onstage, it will be about music, it will be about playing music that fans love, and that we love."

Iha first rejoined his former SMASHING PUMPKINS bandmates on stage in March at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Iha surprised the audience by walking out on stage with guitar in hand and sitting in with the group alongside Corgan and Chamberlin, who was touring with the band for the second time in less than a year. Chamberlin also played on a summer co-headlining run with MARILYN MANSON in 2015.

Iha joined Corgan, Chamberlin, guitarist Jeff Schroeder and touring members Katie Cole and Sierra Swan in performing songs off SMASHING PUMPKINS' landmark 1993 LP "Siamese Dream", including "Mayonaise", "Soma", "Rocket", "Today", "Disarm" and "Spaceboy".

Prior to the Ace Hotel concert, Iha last played with SMASHING PUMPKINS on December 2, 2000 in Chicago.

Back in 2008, Corgan posted a lengthy message online at his blog in which he wrote that the original lineup of the SMASHING PUMPKINS would never play together again. When Corgan reformed the PUMPKINS in 2007, it was without Iha and Wretzky. Although fans had speculated about whether the pair would ever return, Corgan wrote: "I can now say definitively that they aren't ever coming back. Period. There is no maybe. If the door was once open to at least have the conversation and consider the possibility, it is now closed. For good. We have moved on. We love them, and we wish them well. The SMASHING PUMPKINS are now whoever is standing on that stage, on any given day, with a willingness to play those songs."