Smashing Pumpkins Reunited And Recording

"It's official, the Smashing Pumpkins are currently writing songs for their upcoming album, their first since 2000. No release date has yet been set, but the band plans to begin recording this summer."

That's the latest teaser statement from the Smashing Pumpkins website. There's no word on whether original bassist D'Arcy Wretzky (who's been estranged from frontman Billy Corgan for more than seven years) or guitarist James Iha (who doesn't have a great relationship with the bald one either) are on board, but original drummer Jimmy Chamberlin is most likely in since he and Corgan signed with Azoff Management as the Smashing Pumpkins in February.

Melissa Auf Der Maur has said that she's willing to join the band again if her services are needed. The Montreal singer, songwriter and musician replaced Wretzky after she left the band before the release of 2000's Machina/The Machines Of God.

Rumours of a reunion began after Corgan took out a full-page ad in the Chicago Tribune last summer to declare his desire to reform the '90s alt.rock band. The ad was followed in December by a teaser on Corgan's MySpace page telling all those who still cared that:

"The surprise I have in store for you all will be announced soon enough. Hold on to you horses. After all, good things surely come to those who wait. Don't you just love the suspense?"

A source close to the band told MTV News that the Pumpkins are now in "pre-production" mode, but gave no further details.

The band's last album was 2000's Machina II: The Friends And Enemies Of Modern Music, which was released as a free internet download. Late that year, the Pumpkins played what Corgan said was their last show ever at Chicago's Metro, where they got their start 12 years earlier.