Smashing Pumpkins’ founding members, Billy Corgan, James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin hit the studio again for the first time in 18 years to coincide with their upcoming reunion tour. Rick Rubin, who worked with the Pumpkins during the Adore sessions in 1997, co-produced on their first offering, “Solara”. Rubin produced a version of “Let Me Give the World to You” that was eventually discarded by Corgan and remained unreleased until the reissuing of “Adore” in 2014” and more recently he helmed Corgan’s 2017 solo album, Ogilala. The band’s “Shiny And Oh So Bright” reunion tour starts in Glendale, Arizona, on July 12th marking Corgan, Iha, and Chamberlin’s first shows together since 2000 and also celebrating the Pumpkins’ 30th anniversary.
Billy Corgan went on the “It’s Electric” show with Lars Ulrich discussing the band’s reunion, working with Rick Rubin again, former Pumpkins bassist D’Arcy Wretzky’s attitude and his undying love for Black Sabbath. Ulrich addressed Corgan with a series of questions regarding Rubin who produced eight new songs featuring reinstated Chamberlin and Iha. Corgan compared his relationship with the Pumpkins’ drummer, Chamberlin, to Ulrich’s connection with Metallica frontman James Hatfield or former Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page and John Bonham and applauded Chamberlin on being a great listener. He noted that Chamberlin has an unusual talent for remembering arrangements and that Iha operates on the sidelines, adding “colours” and subtle suggestions when needed.