Lisa Germano Leaves Smashing Pumpkins Tour
The Smashing Pumpkins and Lisa Germano have decided to go their separate ways in Germany, just as the Pumpkins' European tour got underway. As previously reported in allstar, multi-instrumentalist Germano was expected to play several unconventional European venues from May 14 through June 9 with the Chicago- based act and five other hired guns, including drummer Kenny Aronoff, keyboardist Mike Garson, and percussionists Dan Morris and Stephen Hodges. However, the pairing of Germano and the Pumpkins ended before the first date of the tour in Hamburg, Germany at Speilbudenplatz A spokesperson for Germano says that after rehearsing with the band in Chicago and in England in early May, she was asked to leave the tour by the Pumpkins, but was never told why, other than "it just isn't working out." The spokesperson also says that Germano heard that the Pumpkins allegedly told reporters during a recent European press conference that the reason behind the split was because they had a fight, which is untrue, according to Germano. While the Pumpkins continue touring in Europe, followed by dates in Australia, Japan, and North America, Germano is expected to start a club or coffeehouse tour of her own in late July and August in support of her upcoming album, Slide, which is due out on July 21 on 4AD Records. Spokespersons for the Pumpkins could not be reached for comment at press time.
-Tina Johnson

Source: AllStar Magazine