Billy Corgan's Zwan Score Record Deal

At last, the cycle has begun. Billy Corgan's new band Zwan has signed a record deal. The group have hooked up with Reprise Records, who will eventually release their debut album.

As previously reported, Zwan hope to release out their debut record by the end of this year, but no dates have been set. We're sure you all remember the painful breakup of the Smashing Pumpkins in December of 2000. Corgan wiped his tears away and put together Zwan in the fall of 2001, when they did a few small gigs around the U.S. to get a feel for their new audience.

With a good response from the crowds, the crew hit the studio to start working on the record. Zwan consists of Corgan on guitar and vocals, ex-Pumpkin Jimmy Chamberlin on drums and vocals, Slint's David Pajo on guitar (yes, it's true), former Chavez member Matt Sweeney also on guitar and A Perfect Circle's Paz Lenchantin on bass.

Zwan are getting ready to do a few radio shows in December, but unfortunately none are scheduled in Canada. They'll be in Boston for the WBCN Christmas Rave, the K-Rock Claus-fest in New York City and can also be spotted in Philadelphia, Washington and Detroit over the Christmas holidays.

When the band debuted in California last November, they played a huge 13-song set of brand new, Pumpkin-free songs. Titles included "Glorious," "El Sol," "The Empty Sea," "Cast A Stone" and "Sorrow."