Smashing Pumpkins are being sued for breach of contract by Virgin Records for alleged failure to deliver albums.
The action is being taken against Billy Corgan (right), James Iha, D’Arcy Wretzky and Jimmy Chamberlin, the drummer who was fired after the heroin-related death of Pumpkins touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin in 1996.
When the Pumpkins signed the contract with Virgin, the deal specified seven albums, though no specific deadline was given. The band has actually only delivered three: ‘Siamese Dream’ (1993), ‘Pisces Iscariot’ (1994) and the double album ‘Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness’ (1995). They also released a five-CD singles set ‘The Aeroplane Flies High’ in 1996.
According to US music website Wall Of Sound, the band believed they had honoured the agreement and told Virgin they would release no more albums through the label. The label is now suing them, though there are no details as to the amounts involved.
The band release their soon to be completed album, ‘Adore’ in May and are currently working through the almost 30 songs completed to find 14 for the album.