Since that has nothing to do w/ the Smashing Pumpkins, I'll add that I never viewed SP as Corgan's band when I was a fan and viewed the chemistry of all four as necessary. I thought when he said he'd get the band back together he INTENTED to recreate the chemistry they had. Guess not. [/QB]
That particular chemistry was lost long ago, well before they ultimately disbanded. When Jimmy OD'd, and they recorded and toured without him, and when Darcy ultimately found crack and free base more appealing than her electric bass the original SP was no more.
Out of last 5 years of existence the original line-up only recorded and toured together about 25% of that time. So I can't imagine Billy, you, or anyone else expected that original chemistry to be rekindled.
It's seldom that even without the death of a band member that bands stay intact over the long haul. Even the notable ones (Slayer, REM, Pearl Jam, etc.) have had rough patches with a member missing for a while or gone completely.
It was always Billy's band, even if the input from others seemed substantial, we'll never really know, none of us we're in the song writing or recording sessions, but the general impression was Billy set the direction and the others added/followed. Based on what they've (other than Billy) done individually trying to stray from the Pumpkins hasn't been very beneficial.
Both Zwan and the solo album were intentionally trying to break away from a pumpkin sound and vibe, they were ok in my opinion but I think he knows what made the pumpkins the pumpkins and that he has deep cache of that particular inspiration left.
I don't seem him regurgitating that 90's sound, but won't complain if he does, Aerosmith and Mission of Burma took a ton of time off and came back strong, as did Echo & the Bunnymen, the jury is still out on the new Dinosaur Jr. but I think that true talent can overcome the huge expectaction the reemergence of SP brings with it. This isn't merely a reunion for a tour, but rather a continuation of something I found incredible and as long as the architect is involved I'll buy space in that building.
We'll see, I'm a fan with some blind faith, which is interesting considering religiously I'm agnostic.
