Jimmy Chamberlin leaves the Smashing Pumpkin(s)

Should we just call the band Smashing Pumpkin now? As of Friday, March 20, it's just Billy Corgan and ringers. Jimmy Chamberlin has thrown in the towel. (No word on a new drummer. Might we suggest Roland? He might be the lone percussionist to get along with the Bald One.) In 1996, Corgan kicked Chamberlin from the band supposedly for heroin addiction. No reason was given this time. Corgan is embracing the future and heading into the studio, alone, to continue work on new Pumpkin material.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="339" caption="Corgan needs a hug."][/caption]

This ends a tragicomic, practically Ricky Gervais–scripted year for the local alt-rockers that saw the cobbled-together reunion act playing an Indiana casino (before hitting their hometown of Chicago), Corgan berating fans at each show, Corgan testifying to the House Judiciary Commitee in defense of the Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger and the awkward desperate usage of Pumpkins' tunes in car and credit card commercials.

Ok, yes, in that span of 12 months this magazine elected Billy Corgan as a local hero. The first three records are still incredible. I'm checking with our panel of judges about a retraction. James Iha's new band is pretty rad. More on that later.