Smashing Pumpkins Respond To Accusation They Withdrew D’arcy Wretzky Reunion Offer

UPDATE: D’arcy Wretzky Shares Alleged Texts From Billy Corgan About Smashing Pumpkins Reunion

ORIGINAL STORY: The Smashing Pumpkins have rejected claims they withdrew an offer they supposedly put to former bassist D’Arcy Wretzky to rejoin the band with the rest of its original lineup.

The band looks set to reunite with former guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin alongside Billy Corgan, but Wretzky won’t be joining them.

Earlier this year, Wretzky said she would not be part of the reunion and that is was “a huge disappointment”.

She’s since accused the band of presenting her with a contract only to withdraw it later on, telling Blast Echo that Corgan told her, “Well, that wasn’t a real offer.”

In a statement (via Pitchfork), Smashing Pumpkins have now rejected that, saying Wretzky hasn’t played a show with Corgan, Iha and Chamberlin in over 18 years, although “it’s not for lack of trying”.

“Ms. Wretzky has repeatedly been invited out to play with the group, participate in demo sessions, or at the very least, meet face-to-face, and in each and every instance she always deferred,” they wrote.

Wretzky recently shared a text conversation between her and Corgan with Blast Echo, which started when Corgan started recording music with Chamberlin. Corgan reassured her that Iha wasn’t there, saying, “James is focused on his stuff, which is why he isn’t here.”

Wretzky says she had plans to record with the original lineup and producer Rick Rubin in mid-January, but plans suddenly changed, before she found out on Instagram that it actually went ahead.

Corgan allegedly texted her once again and said, “As far as you not being involved, there was never any decision to shut you out, or make you not welcome. It’s more about getting on the same page with [the] tour first and then the necessity of the song came up.”

A contract presented to her was then allegedly rescinded by Corgan. Wretzky says both Iha and Chamberlin were “with him” in the decision to remove her from the reunion.

There’s currently a countdown clock running on The Smashing Pumpkins’ website, which is expected to reveal some official news about the reunion. It’s due to finish in the early hours of Friday morning Australian time.

The band have also teased lyrics from their song ‘Disarm’ on their Instagram today.

2.15.18 – www.smashingpumpkins.com

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