Let's end this A-Z Challenge quickly shall we. The last letter is finally here, and it's for "Z". Probably one of the hardest ones for most to find a topic to write about, but I actually DO have a musical artist/group starting with a "Z". And that group is Zwan.
You're going, who the hell is Zwan, right? Well, it was a side project, one album group, formed by Smashing Pumpkins' founder and lead singer, Billy Corgan. I was a huge fan of the Smashing Pumpkins in the early to mid 90s (Remember how I told you I love a weird voice). Well, there were many reasons I loved the Smashing Pumpkins: Great angry songs, great melodic pretty songs, Japanese James Iha was in the band, melodramatic and great lyrics. I was really sad when Smashing Pumpkins broke up. I never got into Billy's solo stuff, but Zwan came along and it was as close to a Smashing Pumpkins album as I could get. (Yes I know Billy has reformed the SP, but it doesn't include D'Arcy or James Iha so it sucks compared to the original lineup).
Zwan included SP drummer Jimmy Chamberlain (the one who had a REALLY bad drug addiction), and other musicians from other bands. They formed in 2001 after SP's 2000 breakup. They only released one album, Mary Star of the Sea, and they promptly broke up in 2003 after touring. I just found out Dave Pajo was in Zwan. He's the fake Carlos D that Interpol took on tour for their last album after Carlos D left the band. That guy gets around.
From what I've heard, Billy Corgan HATES Zwan, its music, and his time in the ill-fated band. He doesn't ever want to hear any of the music from that period nor wants to remember it happened. So, this may be THE ONLY positive tribute the band gets because I actually really liked the album. One of their songs, El Sol, was in my Top 25 most played songs on my iPod for a long time. Billy may hate Zwan, but they'll be the last and closest thing to original SP music so for that, they deserve the Letter Z.
Click to hear some of my favorite Zwan songs...
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My favorite Zwan songs:
EL SOL
This is a live version (not as good as the studio version)
DECLARATIONS OF FAITH
YEAH!
Could very easily be confused for a Smashing Pumpkins' song
DESIRE
AND THAT'S THE END OF THE LINE FOLKS =)
I love your 'Z'eal for this project. You did a fantastic job! Yay you!!!