The Smashing Pumpkins is an alternative rock band that rose to fame in the 1990s and received critical acclaim with the release of the seminal 1995 double-album “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.” During its heyday, the band filled arenas and stadiums and enjoyed a cult-like following. However, the band soon underwent several personnel changes and received lukewarm critical response to newer material. Ultimately, the band broke up in 2000, and frontman Billy Corgan decided to pursue projects with other bands, as well as some solo work.
Recently, Corgan resurrected Smashing Pumpkins, though he was not able to restore the band’s original lineup. Guitarist James Iha and bassist D’Arcy Wretzky decided not to rejoin the group in favor of continuing to pursue solo careers. A new album was released in 2007 under the Pumpkins name, but it only featured Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlain from the original lineup. Following the band’s 2008 anniversary tour, also featuring only Corgan and Chamberlain with several backing musicians, Chamberlain announced he, too, would leave the band after completing the anniversary concerts.
