Smashing Pumpkins Recorded With Butch Vig for First Time Since 'Siamese Dream'

On May 19, Billy Corgan engaged with fans via his Substack, revealing that the Smashing Pumpkins have recorded their first song with esteemed producer Butch Vig since their sessions for Siamese Dream over 33 years ago.

"We've just recorded one song," stated Corgan. "It's for a specific purpose, but I can't disclose that just yet … I haven't yet settled on a title, to be honest. The intention is to release the song this year, although I cannot specify an exact date. There are reasons for that … The song itself is really cool and is essentially finalized. I would say it’s about 98 percent complete with just a couple of minor details remaining."

Joining him on camera was his 10-year-old son, Augustus Juppiter, as Corgan spent a few moments teasing the announcement. "This is a 10 out of 10 announcement," he expressed. "If this isn't a 10 out of 10, then I don't know what is. It may be more like an 11 out of 10. This news isn’t out there; you're hearing it here first. What would you think if I said the Smashing Pumpkins were back in the studio recording? I realize that's not a 10 out of 10. This would actually mark our first recording since Aghori Mhori Mei. I consider that a solid eight. My being in the studio is really no surprise since I am always recording."

Butch Vig was the driving force behind the production of the Pumpkins’ debut album Gish in 1991, as well as their acclaimed 1993 follow-up Siamese Dream. During the period between these projects, he produced Nirvana's groundbreaking album Nevermind. "We were in the studio when he received the call for Nevermind," Corgan recounted to Rolling Stone in 2021. "I could hear him discussing it in the next room. He came in and mentioned he had been offered the job. We were there alongside all these pivotal moments, both for us and for the broader music scene, with Butch being a key part of that history. While it's easy to reflect on these events nostalgically now, at the time we all felt a sense of insecurity about our future."

Earlier in the week, the Smashing Pumpkins unveiled plans for an extensive North American arena tour that will highlight their 1995 double LP Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. The initial half of the concert will be dedicated entirely to Mellon Collie songs presented in a "highly theatrical setting," while the latter set will showcase tracks from their other albums.

"I assume we'll be including some Siamese Dream material for all you Siamese Zombies," Corgan mentioned in the Substack video. "I think it's quite exciting. It's a full-circle week for us. It feels like it’s in the stars. A good week in Pumpkin Land."

The current lineup of the band comprises Corgan, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, guitarists James Iha and Kiki Wong, and bassist Jack Bates. They performed a small venue show on May 17 at the Legion Theater in Los Angeles, which featured a significant number of Mellon Collie tracks, including the first live rendition of "Here Is No Why" since 1997. The band is also scheduled to take the stage at Lollapalooza in Chicago on July 31. The Mellon Collie tour is set to commence on September 30 in Columbus, Ohio.