Original Smashing Pumpkins Lineup "Unified" in Legal Action After Unreleased 'Mellon Collie' Material Leaks Online

Published Mar 09, 2016

While the original Smashing Pumpkins lineup of Billy Corgan, James Iha, D'arcy Wretzky and Jimmy Chamberlain may never reform to make music again, the four former bandmates are "unified" in seeking legal action against whoever uploaded unreleased Pumpkins material to YouTube earlier this week.



After two outtakes and rough cuts from the band's Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness-era sessions made their way around the web, the band posted a statement to Facebook explaining that they will pursue the culprit.



The now-deleted statement, captured by the folks at Alternative Nation, reads as follows:



A NOTE REGARDING LEAKS FROM THE PUMPKINS ARCHIVES: Recently, some 'fresh' tracks, albeit outtakes and work product from 20+ years ago, surfaced on the internet. And though such releases are celebrated by fans and media alike, they are the product of theft and should not be applauded as such. Remember, whoever the culprit is, they do not reveal themselves for fear of prosecution. This, ladies and gentlemen, is not some Robin Hood helping out the impoverished. And when they are found out, we, The Smashing Pumpkins (and yes, the original 4 are unified on such issues) will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law as well as bring a civil suit; for undoubtedly this person is a former employee. And in that, we will reward whoever helps bring this matter to its just result. But that does not mean we don't have our suspicions and leads. It's only a matter of time.



Whatever direction this goes, it could be the start of Corgan's wish to "find peace" with Iha and Wretzky coming true. After rejoining the band for a run of tour dates last summer, Chamberlain will man the drumkit once again for the Pumpkins' upcoming "In Plainsong" tour.



You can hear an alternate version of "One and Two" (which original appeared on Iha's solo record Let It Come Down) with Corgan on vocals and "The Tracer" here on Alternative Nation.



