March 24, 2009 17:17

Jimmy Chamberlin speaks out about quitting Smashing Pumpkins

'I can't just cash the check,' says the drummer

The Smashing Pumpkins' original drummer Jimmy Chamberlin has spoken out about his decision to leave the band.

Frontman Billy Corgan announced last week that the drummer, who joined the band when it was formed in 1988 and played on all of the band's albums except 1998's 'Adore', had quit.

In a posting on his blog today (March 24), Chamberlin explained that he decided to leave because he is no longer able to give the band all of his energy.

"By now you have heard the news of my departure from the Smashing Pumpkins," he wrote. "I will say, without going into any unnecessary details that this represents a positive move forward for me. I can no longer commit all of my energy into something that I don’t fully possess. I won’t pretend I’m into something I’m not. I won’t do it to myself, you the fan, or my former partner. I can’t just, 'Cash the check' so to speak."

He added that "There is no drama, bad blood, or anything else" and said that he his "glad" that his bandmate Corgan has continued to record under the Smashing Pumpkins name, adding, "It is his right."

Chamberlin said that he will continue to make music with his band the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex and pursue "other musical interests." Lastly, he thanked his fans for their support and said, "It is an honour and a privilege to play music for a living and I don’t take it for granted not even for a second."

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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