Former Smashing Pumpkins Members Sue Over Digital Royalties
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A Smashing Pumpkins reunion with the band's original line-up is not looking good, folks. (Sorry Gish fans).
Yesterday former and founding members of the alternative rock band -- James Iha and D'Arcy Wretzky-Brown -- slapped Virgin Records with a lawsuit, claiming they were overlooked in royalties for music downloads and other digital media (I'm thinking ringtones and etc). They are demanding a jury trial for issues regarding breach of contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment and acounting.
After their 2000 break-up Iha and Wretzky-Brown claim that frontman Billy Corgan signed another deal with Virgin for the new incarnation of the band that included digital distribution. The two, however, where never asked for their consent. (Corgan reportedly does not talk to Iha or Wretzky-Brown.)
Virgin, in the deal with Corgan, began to license the Smashing Pumpkins music. Even Corgan isn't too happy about the way Virgin has exploited the band in the recent deal. He sued Virgin over a Pepsi/Amazon promotional campaign where the label licensed the band's music to saying it damaged the band's reputation.
To view a copy of the lawsuit head here.
Comments (10)
Sounds like my old record label... scary sometimes you really need to know what you are getting into when you are working with large labels, and make sure you are clear.. crystal clear about your rights concerning your music.
Shoot! You're right, this isn't looking good.
Everybody knew that D'Arcy was the sad sack who didn't want anything to do with the SP reunions anymore (though I see she thinks she deserves money from them - despite being a barely competent/marginal bass player - more in the band for her looks than anything else) - but James Iha surprises me. Billy reached out to both of these people to get the band back together -and they both rebuffed him.
Meanwhile - the baddest badass of them all (and the most talented musician) - Jimmy Chamberlin - completely turned his life around for the good - and its shows. The fact is - Smashing Pumpkins is Billy & Jimmy - the other two could (and were) easily replaced.
I don't doubt there were some finagling going on with the new deals - but - if they really want to earn some money (and not just sit back an collect royalty checks) - then they should have accepted Billy's invitation to get the band back together. They strike me as two spoiled malcontent.
Where does Jimmy fall in all of this?
Dave...you have a point, but they prob are entitled to some $$$ if songs like "Tonight, Tonight" and "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" are being bought as ringtones.
I read the article - it really doesn't explain in enough depth to actually let you be sure who's right and who (if anyone) is wrong.
I'm surprised they aren't getting compensated, but since Billy is suing the label then it's no surprise James & D'Arcy are either.
The World is a Vampire
Smashing Pennies
Good one, primo.