Billy Corgan's post-Pumpkins outfit, Zwan, has signed with Reprise Records, a division of Warner Bros., to release its debut album. In a recent Web post, Corgan anticipated the album's release before the end of the year, but no official date has been set.

Corgan put the Smashing Pumpkins on ice following a December 2, 2000, performance at the Metro in the band's hometown of Chicago. He announced the formation of Zwan last fall, and the band made its debut November 18th last year at the Glass House in Pomona, California. The group played no Pumpkins songs, offering thirteen new originals -- "Chrysanthemum," "Permanence," "El Sol," "The Empty Sea," "Glorious," "Cast a Stone," "Jesus I," "The Shining Path," "What Have They Done to Me?," "Sorrow," "Never Give Up," "My Life and Times," "And So I Died of a Broken Heart" -- and a cover of the Beatles' "Don't Let Me Down." Another song, "When the Saints" appears on a downloadable home movie, 3, on zwan.com.

The group was initially a four-piece, with Corgan on guitar and vocals, Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin on drums and vocals, former Chavez guitarist Matt Sweeney and bassist David Pajo (Slint, Papa M). Pajo has since moved over to guitar, with Paz Lenchantin (A Perfect Circle) taking over bass duty.

Zwan have started to roll out some winter appearances at various radio shows. On December 11th the band will play the Orpheum Theater in Boston as part of the WBCN Christmas Rave. The next day, it's scheduled to play the K-Rock Claus-fest in New York City. December 13th, Zwan will play the HFSmas Nutcracker at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. Also on the docket are performances at the Y100 Feastival on December 15th at the First Union Center in Philadelphia and the Night 89X Stole Xmas on December 17th at the Cobo Arena in Detroit.

ANDREW DANSBY
(November 13, 2002)