Billy Corgan teases Smashing Pumpkins studio reunion

Billy Corgan
Billy Corgan (Image credit: Getty)

Billy Corgan has posted a picture on Instagram showing him in the studio with original Smashing Pumpkins members, guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.

A possible reunion of the classic era lineup, including bassist D’arcy Wretzky, has been touted for some time, with Corgan reporting he was open to the idea in September last year.

While the picture doesn’t prove a reunion is happening, it shows that the the trio are talking, with Corgan saying: “Not sure what cross-eyed spy took this photo, but we had a visitor to the studio the other day. So many memories when you put the three of us together.”

In October last year, Chamberlin said: “We’re talking about maybe recording next year with the Pumpkins and I want to make sure if that happens, that I bring some really different stuff to the table.

“The purpose of this sabbatical needs to be revealed in the music. I’m counting on everyone bringing some new shit to the table that is representative of the chance-taking that we’ve always done.”

Wretzky left the Pumpkins in 1999 with Iha following a year later. Chamberlin has been in and out of the group over the years, most recently rejoining in 2015.

The Pumpkins released ninth album Monuments To An Elegy in 2014, while Corgan launched his solo record Ogilala in October 2017.

A photo posted by on

The 10 best Smashing Pumpkins songs

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.