Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan has discussed why reuniting with former bassist D’Arcy Wretzky would have never worked, arguing that it would have been like a “shitty reality show”.
The band are working on new music after reuniting most of its classic-era line-up: guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin recently rejoined the group.
Despite saying that he feels “attacked by the mob”, Corgan has said that it is “the happiest time” that the Smashing Pumpkins have ever experienced as a band, whilst also admitting that bridges with Wretzky have been burned “forever” following their public feud.
Speaking in a new Beats 1 interview with Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, Corgan has explained that he had “no relationship” with Iha prior to them connecting again and that it “took a time to rebuild the friendship”.
“Being in a band is like being in a family,” Corgan arguing, saying that he and his Pumpkins bandmates have “had such intense experiences together”.
Corgan went on to claim that he had “spent two years repairing my relationship” with Wretzky and that he still hasn’t “been in a room with her for 19 years”.
Describing their phone calls as “very pleasant”, Corgan said that “only when it became obvious that it wasn’t the way she wanted it to be, it turned into this thing that turned very reminiscent of the past”.
He added: “If you’re really not passionate about what you do and you’re not passionate about providing that passion to fans by extension and saying, ‘Look we really love what we do and we want to share this with you’. If that relationship is not at the heart of what you do, then what are you doing?”
“The thing that keeps you on the rudder is the music and the fact that somehow when the three of us come together, this magical thing happens that’s bigger than me, and I have no problem admitting to that. And if that’s not your guiding principle, then it’s a shitty reality show. And we don’t want the shitty reality show, we really don’t. We’d rather just stay on the music, and if we can do that, great.”
Watch Corgan make the comments in the clip below:
Corgan recently described himself as “more dangerous than I’ve ever been”, explaining that he feels “totally free” right now.