Corgan: Zwan Debut Set 'Just About Done'

Zwan, Billy Corgan's Chicago-based, post-Smashing Pumpkins outfit, is wrapping up work on its debut studio album. "The Zwan album is just about done and we are all very excited and proud that we were able to come together to make this possible," writes Corgan in a post to the message board of the band's official Web site.

"We've been having a lot of fun, working like wizards under red lights here in the studio," Corgan continues. "Everyone has worked very hard so we could make the first Zwan record a reality by the end of this year, and it looks like we will probably be playing some shows after Thanksgiving."

Zwan is comprised of Corgan on guitar and vocals, former Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, former Chavez guitarist Matt Sweeney, ex-Slint guitarist David Pajo, and bassist Paz Lechantin, previously a member of A Perfect Circle. An official release date or label for the album is not yet known.

In related news, Corgan also writes of the upcoming DVD reissue of the 1994 Smashing Pumpkins video compilation "Vieuphoria," which arrives Nov. 19 from Virgin and will also be delivered in an audio-only version dubbed "Earphoria."

"Everyone agreed that it was the most exciting and dramatic footage of the Pumpkins that we had ever seen from around the 'Vieuphoria' time period of '88-'94," Corgan posts. "The tapes are from 1994, and prior to finding them we didn't even know these tapes existed. They are a little raw, but really do capture the spirit and aggression of the band back in the good old days."