If you follow the trajectory of Guns N’ Roses’ reunion, then Billy Corgan may have just laid the groundwork for an eventual regrouping of Smashing Pumpkins‘ classic lineup. During a recent Q&A with Chicago TV host and author Jennifer Weigel, Corgan expressed a desire to “find peace” with former bandmates D’arcy Wretzky and James Iha (via Alternative Nation).
Corgan’s comments were in response to a question about whether he’d ever considering reuniting with the band’s classic lineup. He responded by saying “I have no interest in doing anything that’s inorganic,” adding that he has “no relationship” with Wretzky or Iha. Nevertheless, Corgan said, “When you’re talking about the natural human instinct to find forgiveness and heal a relationship, I think that never ends. That’s a human thing, it has nothing to do with the band or people creating memories.”
(Read: The Very Best of The Smashing Pumpkins)
Seemingly aware of the headlines his comments would generate, Corgan was quick to add that finding peace doesn’t necessarily equate to a reunion. In fact, he said, “I think people rarely get out of those things [original reunions] what they think they’re gonna get. Because when a relationship breaks, and I would take it back more to something you’ve experienced in your family life or your romantic life, whatever, when a relationship breaks there are times it’s not gonna get any better.”
He continued, “There’s no temptation there for me. Strictly on my part I think it’s like, ‘Would I like to find peace?’ Absolutely, of course. But beyond all the other stuff… I can’t even imagine that being able to watch.”
Still, Corgan’s stance is a far cry from past comments about his former bandmates. He’s previously called Wretzky “a mean-spirited drug addict”, Iha “a piece of shit and one of the worst human beings I’ve ever met in my life”, and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin “a fucking liar.” It remains to be seen whether or not he’ll actually rekindle with the musicians behind such seminal albums as Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie, but at the very least, he’s ever so slightly left the door open for a reunion at some point down the road. And as the members of Guns N’ Roses can attest, that can lead to one big pay day.
Below, watch Smashing Pumpkins’ classic lineup perform “Today” during their Siamese Dream record release show at Chicago’s Metro in 1993.
