Billy Corgan's Zwan Signs With Reprise, Sets December Dates

Former Smashing Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan's new band Zwan has signed to Reprise Records, with an album expected in January or early February 2003.

An advance single called "Honestly" is expected to go to radio in late November, a label source told LAUNCH.

Zwan also has booked upcoming December concerts as well. The band is scheduled to play the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas on December 5, then will appear December 11 at the Orpheum Theater in Boston for the Honor The Earth benefit, which also features Coldplay.

The group will also play several radio station Christmas concerts: Nassau Coliseum in New York on December 12; MCI Center in Washington D.C. on December 13; First Union Center in Philadelphia on December 15; and Cobo Hall in Detroit on December 17.

Zwan features Corgan on guitar and lead vocals, fellow ex-Pumpkin Jimmy Chamberlin on drums and vocals; Paz Lenchantin of A Perfect Circle on bass; and Matt Sweeney from Chavez and ex-Slint Dave Pajo on guitars.

Corgan formed Zwan in the fall 2001, and played several small club gigs around the U.S., testing out new material, including songs titled "Glorious," "The Empty Sea," "Cast A Stone," "El Sol," and "Sorrow."

Corgan posted last month on the band's official website (zwan.com) that "the album is just about done."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ACT IV 2003: FAREWELL AND GOODNIGHT

ACT IV 2003 DEMO DRIVE NEARS ITS END

The good people at Act IV are looking for a few good bands to light up Metro's stage this July for the third and final tribute to the Pumpkins. Demos can be sent in through the net (email/aim/icq/direct connect) in mp3 format (128kbps or better), or by snail mail (cd or high grade audio tape). The deadline is December 13, 2002, and you can find more details about the rules for submissions on the Official Act IV site http://www.act4.net/ and all bands who intend on submitting are asked to email steve@2007.org

Also, they are entertaining suggestions on a possible headliner for the show (other than Zwan). Bands who have a following in Chicago or nationally, who were influenced or even just like the Pumpkins music enough are candidates.