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Jun 28, 2018 By Christopher Roberts The Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins recently shared a new song, “Solara.” It was the first song from the band since frontman Billy Corgan reunited three-fourths of the original lineup, bringing back into the fold guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin (bassist D’arcy Wretzsky is not taking part). Now the band has shared a video for the song. Nick Koenig directed the strange video, in which Corgan is led around by a chain and a mime gives birth to an invisible baby, among other things. Watch it below, followed by the band’s upcoming tour dates.

“Solara” is the first Smashing Pumpkins song in 18 years to feature the three members and was recorded at Shangri La Studios in Malibu, CA with producer Rick Rubin. Corgan has been the only constant in the band over the years, but when they formed in 1988 the lineup included Iha, Chamberlin, and Wretzsky. That lineup stayed in place until Chamberlin left the band in 1996 and then Wretzsky departed in 1999, with Iha leaving in 2000. Now Chamberlin and Iha are back in the fold with Corgan, along with Jeff Schroeder, who has been with the band since 2007, for the “Shiny and Oh So Bright” tour this summer. Missing is Wretzsky. There have been conflicting reports, with the band issuing a statement saying she was invited but declined and Wretzsky saying in an interview with Alternative Nation that she expressed her willingness to take part in the reunion. The tour was announced via a video featuring Ali Laenger and LySandra Roberts, who as little girls were featured on the album cover of the band’s 1993-released classic album Siamese Dream.

The band previously stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to perform “Solara.” They also did a web-exclusive performance of their 1995 hit “Zero.”

Corgan issued this statement in a previous press release: “Some 30 years ago, as The Smashing Pumpkins, James Iha, and I began a musical journey in the cramped rear bedroom of my Father’s house. And so it’s magic to me that we’re able to coalesce once more around the incredible Jimmy Chamberlin, to celebrate those songs we’ve made together.”

Corgan released a new solo album under his full name, William Patrick Corgan, Ogilala, last fall via BMG.

The Smashing Pumpkins Tour Dates:

07/12 Glendale, AZ @ Gila River Arena
07/14 Oklahoma City, OK @ Chesapeake Energy Arena
07/16 Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center
07/17 Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
07/18 Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
07/20 Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
07/21 Louisville, KY @ KFC Yum! Center
07/22 Atlanta, GA @ Infinite Energy Arena
07/24 Miami, FL @ AmericanAirlines Arena
07/25 Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena
07/27 Baltimore, MD @ Royal Farms Arena
07/28 Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
07/29 Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
07/31 Boston, MA @ TD Garden
08/01 New York City, NY @ Madison Square Garden
08/04 Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena
08/05 Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
08/07 Montreal @ Centre Bell
08/08 Toronto @ Air Canada Centre
08/11 Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center
08/13 Chicago, IL @ United Center
08/16 Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
08/17 Indianapolis, IN @ Bankers Life Fieldhouse
08/19 St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
08/20 Omaha, NE @ CenturyLink Center
08/21 Sioux Falls, SD @ Denny Sanford Premier Center
08/24 Seattle, WA @ KeyArena
08/25 Portland, OR @ Moda Center
08/27 Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena
08/28 Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center
08/30 Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
09/01 San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena
09/02 Las Vegas, NV @ T-Mobile Arena
09/04 Salt Lake City, UT @ Vivint Smart Home Arena
09/05 Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
09/07 Boise, ID @ Ford Idaho Center

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