Fans Disappointed with Billy Corgan

The date for the first show of the reunited Smashing Pumpkins is set for May 22 at the Grand Rex in Paris, France. This news has many Pumpkins fans riled up with excitement, disappointment and claims of "anti-Americanism". Disappointed fans? Claims that Billy Corgan is "anti-American"? Let's back up a few years to find out how the Pumpkins and their fans arrived at this point.

On December 2, 2000, the Smashing Pumpkins played what was intended to be their final show as a band at the Metro in Chicago, Illinois -- the place where it all began twelve years earlier. Fans from around the world, even those without tickets, gathered in Chicago to say goodbye to both the band and a part of their own lives. It was the end of an era for so many. It was the last time any Pumpkins songs were to be played live.

Fast forward about a year to November 2001. In Pomona, California, a new band called Zwan made their debut. The band included former Pumpkins front man, Billy Corgan, and former drummer, Jimmy Chamberlin. It was like a homecoming for the Pumpkins fans. Fans once again came from all over and they could not erase the smiles from their faces upon seeing their leader return. The joy soon faded, though, as despite their moderate success and praise from fans, egos clashed and Zwan broke up in 2003.

Fast forward to June 2005 when Billy Corgan released his first solo album and, on the very same day, took out a full-page ad in the Chicago Tribune declaring that he wanted his band, the Smashing Pumpkins, and those Pumpkins songs, back. Soon following this announcement, a mysterious "press release" found its way onto Netphoria.org, a Smashing Pumpkins fan site --

California Fans Sue Billy Corgan

"A group of 14 fans from Northern California filed a lawsuit Friday against Billy Corgan, lead singer and principal songwriter for The Smashing Pumpkins, claiming misrepresentation, fraud and emotional trauma.

The fans claim Corgan misrepresented himself when he allegedly said The Smashing Pumpkins were over, defrauded them of thousands of dollars and caused them emotional harm.

At the supposed final Smashing Pumpkins concert, Corgan said he would 'never play these [Pumpkins] songs again.' Corgan later took out a full page ad in the Chicago Tribune on June 21, the same day as the release of his first solo album, The Future Embrace, stating he intended to reform The Smashing Pumpkins.

The fans spent in excess of $20,000 collectively on travel, tickets and other expenses for The Smashing Pumpkins' final shows.

'I couldn't believe it when I heard it. I've lived for five years with the belief that I was at the very last Smashing Pumpkins show and now that's not true. I've been crying for weeks. I never thought he would do this. I was there at that last show; I saw Billy weep,' said a teary Angel Garcia.

The fans are planning on turning their lawsuit into a class action suit.

The Smashing Pumpkins performed what Corgan claimed was their final show on December 2, 2000 in Chicago.

Corgan and his representatives refused to comment.

The law firm of Scott, Nichols & Matteucci is representing the fans."

This "press release" was quickly written off as untrue, but still pops up from time to time and has become somewhat of a Pumpkins internet urban legend. Recently, on MySpace.com, a new "press release" surfaced, claiming that Angel Garcia and her friends are moving forward with their lawsuit and have added another claim to the suit expressing their despair about the first reunited show being held in Paris --

California Fans Move Forward with Suit Against Billy Corgan

"A group of 14 fans from Northern California have pledged to move forward with a lawsuit previously filed against Billy Corgan, lead singer and principal songwriter for The Smashing Pumpkins, claiming misrepresentation, fraud, emotional trauma and 'anti-Americanism'.

In the initial suit, the fans claimed Corgan misrepresented himself when he allegedly stated The Smashing Pumpkins were over, defrauded them of thousands of dollars and caused them emotional harm.

In moving forward with their suit, the fans have added a new claim. They now believe Billy Corgan has purposefully caused them additional undue emotional trauma by holding the first reunited show of the reformed Smashing Pumpkins in Paris, France.

'It is just plain anti-American of him', wept Angel Garcia, one of the fans bringing the suit, 'it's like he doesn't want to have any fans.'

The fans spent in excess of $20,000 collectively on travel, tickets and other expenses for The Smashing Pumpkins' final shows. A collective amount which has left them so in debt, they are unable to attempt traveling to Paris for the first reunited show.

As a teary Garcia put it, 'I'm not going to become a prostitute for Billy Corgan, it just ain't worth it, 'specially since he has betrayed me again.'

At the supposed final Smashing Pumpkins concert, Corgan said he would 'never play these [Pumpkins] songs again.' Corgan later took out a full page ad in the Chicago Tribune on June 21, 2005, stating he intended to reform The Smashing Pumpkins. The reformed Pumpkins will make their debut on May 22 in Paris.

Corgan and his representatives could not be reached for comment.

The law firm of Scott, Nichols & Matteucci continues to represent the fans."

It is assumed this new "press release" is an April Fool's Day joke. However, fans have not been as quick to write off this "press release". Perhaps this is because more and more fans share the same sentiment. As one fan on a Smashing Pumpkins message board put it, "I hope someone whacks Billy in the stomach with a baguette as he walks off stage for this affront to America."

And that brings us to where things stand today. Billy Corgan and his new Smashing Pumpkins, which include only one other original member, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, face a divided fan base. How this will affect the reformed band is still an unanswered question. Will their first reunited show sell out? Was choosing to have their reunion begin with shows in Europe be a good idea? Will the fans that feel betrayed be won over? Will the hype and expectations match the sales numbers for their forthcoming album, Zeitgeist? All we can do is wait and see. One thing, though, does seem true at this stage in the comeback -- fans of the Smashing Pumpkins are not sold on the band they thought was gone forever reuniting.