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Smashing Pumpkins Robbed, Thieves Jailed
Photos involving Billy Corgan, Paris Hilton, a topless woman, and the Grim Reaper leaked

July 7, the release date for the new Smashing Pumpkins album Zeitgeist, is only two months away. However, after waiting seven years since the last Smashing Pumpkins release, some zealous fans just couldn't wait sixty-something more days, and took matters into their own hands.

Last week, the band's Chicago rehearsal studio was robbed; the thieves are now in jail.

The band's management released the following statement:

"Management for the Smashing Pumpkins confirms that the band's rehearsal studio in Chicago was burglarized last week.

"The two people who are now in jail illegally gained access to the band's private space and stole various items belonging to them over the course of several hours while the band had left for the evening.

"The band's management says the group feels their rights have been violated by this crime and will always pursue their rights and the law to protect their property and the safety of themselves, their families and their fans."

So, what did the burglars steal? Money? Guitars? The album's master tapes? Nope. It appears-- though it is not officially confirmed-- that the fans stole photographs somehow associated with Zeitgeist, possibly album art or video stills. The photos were then leaked to the Pumpkins fan site Netphoria. The images include:

-- Paris Hilton posing in front of a backdrop of a bomb exploding
-- The Grim Reaper standing at a podium emblazoned with the Seal of the President of the United States, in front of a black and white Smashing Pumpkins flag
-- A person in a business suit wearing a devil mask and being crucified
-- Five blonde children saluting
-- Close-up of Billy Corgan in a hoodie
-- Billy Corgan in a hoodie, standing next to a woman with no shirt on

The Smashing Pumpkins' management's statement on the photographs was simply, "the photos are stolen goods and anyone who posts them will have to take them down."

Netphoria took down the photos and posted a statement, saying, "What this person did amounts to theft and band takes this very seriously as does Netphoria. I know everyone here is hungry for more information on the new album but this is not the way to go about it. Nobody here should condone or be supportive of the actions this individual took...The band requested the stolen pictures be removed and I believe they are well within their right to do so..."

Thanks to reader Byron Barnes for alerting us to the situation and for directing us to Netphoria.

The Smashing Pumpkins' summer tour of mostly gargantuan festivals begins May 22 in Paris.

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