As anticipation continues to grow around the supposed Smashing Pumpkins ‘reunion’, Billy Corgan has addressed rumours of the band’s new bassist.

Last month, Corgan was pictured in the studio with original guitarist and drummer James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin. Then, after original bassist D’Arcy Wretzky revealed that she would play no part in the reunion, leaked photos from a shoot showed that latter day Pumpkins collaborator Jeff Schroeder looks set to fill her place.

However, now Corgan has taken to Instagram to shoot down the rumours of himself, Iha or Schroeder picking up the bass, suggesting that the band will most likely now have three guitarists and perhaps a session player on bass duties. He also downplayed the role that Wretzky played in the band’s 2000 album ‘Machina’ and key moments of their earlier work – referring to her as a ‘flaxen Saxon’.


“What a weekend,” wrote Corgan. “Saturday, I was high in the hills of Topanga, overlooking the ocean on a beautiful sunny day, and according to some reports (based on photos taken or leaked) I am now a bassist. I mean, yes, I have played bass on many of your fave songs but I’m not sure I can play bass AND sing at the same time? But perhaps I can try *someday*.”

He continued: “Other reports have @jjjschroeder (who just celebrated a birthday) as a budding bassist. Which is interesting, because though Jeff doesn’t mind plucking at 4 strings if needed I know he would much prefer the dulcet tones of 6 (but I have heard him confess that 7 strings is just ‘too much’) @jamesihaofficial on the other hand, well, I haven’t seen him pick up a bass since Machina (which he played a fair share on, despite reports claiming a certain ‘flaxen Saxxon’ did; and as you know with much that is written is patently f-a-l-s-e). Which brings me back to my time in the hills of Topanga, dressed in a long coat, staring out into the ocean dreaming of a future not yet realized.

“Wisdom here dictates that I share something I have said many times as of late, which is: be here now, live in the present. There truly is no past (but that which lives in your mind), and the future too is but a dream. So kindly, truly, embrace the life you are living TODAY Which reminds me of a song that I also played bass on..”


It is believed that album release details and tour dates will follow from Smashing Pumpkins in the months ahead.