Concert Review
Zwan @ The Blue Note 4/5/02 and @ The Galaxy 4/7/02,
4/8/02, 4/10/02
“God don’t want no part-time soldiers,” sang Billy Corgan during his three-night residency with Zwan at the Galaxy in St. Louis. In this case, Corgan played the role of the divine, and the 500 repeat fans each night proved to be quite the dedicated troop.
Currently embarking on their third set of club shows since debuting in California last November, Zwan descended upon St. Louis and Columbia for four shows that were, in the simplest of terms, absolutely incredible. Led by Corgan and ex-Pumpkin drummer Jimmy Chamberlain, Zwan employs an impressive supporting cast that offers a healthy portion of musical input and provides a bit of lunacy from Billy’s authority.
David Pajo (Slint, Papa M, Will Oldham, and Tortoise) joins Matt Sweeney of Chavez on guitar, while able bassist Paz, from A Perfect Circle, rounds out the lineup. Corgan, Sweeney and Pajo seem to contribute in equal parts, coming up with a catchy concoction of rock ‘n’ roll that’s complemented with a hint of post-rock guitar, lurking somewhere underneath the distorted chords.
Consequently, those turning up expecting regurgitated Pumpkin riffs were either greatly disappointed or pleasantly relieved. Corgan has ditched the smocks, started smiling again and turned out his most impressive and vital set of songs since Gish and Siamese Dream. Trading metal for melody, Zwan plays instantly accessible pop songs, stripped of the trademark pretension that characterized the Pumpkins for 13 years. Perhaps the self-titled, fist-pumping chorus of “Yeah” best sums up Zwan. Or maybe their mission statement is “Baby Let’s Rock,” with Corgan claiming, “I’m the greatest thing you’ve got.” Certainly, song titles like “Porcelina of the Vast Oceans” don’t apply here.
By Wednesday’s curtain call at the Galaxy, most of the full-time soldiers that packed the Galaxy were singing at the top of their lungs.
The best of the bunch was “Endless Summer,” a breezy yet rocking three minutes of power-pop that dug up some of that lovable angst Corgan expressed with what he jokingly referred to as his “other band.” “Let me go waste my time,” went the lyrics of the catchiest song he’s ever written.
Other highlights were the bluesy metal of “Dust My Broom,” and the building ballad, “Love Lies In Ruin,” which at times sounded like “Knocking On Heaven’s Door.” The spastic “Settle Down,” and the pop of “Rivers We Can’t Cross” and “The World Goes Round,” found Corgan rediscovering his ability to write hopeful anthems.
Each of the gigs had its moments, though a ticket for any of them told you more than you needed to know. The blistering encore of the Kinks’ “All Day And All of the Night,” in Columbia and the instrument-switching throwaway jam of “Egypt,” were among the most playful moments of the four amazing nights.
But make no mistake that Monday’s show at the Galaxy was the one.
The sole airings of “I Know My Time Is Coming,” and “Spilled Milk,” led to what even Corgan admitted was their “best show so far.”
“You should never feel alone/When I’m around,” sang Corgan during “The World Goes Round,” serving as perhaps the most fitting lyric we’d heard all week. Because now we can sleep a little easier at night, knowing that one brave soul is back in black, aiming to fulfill all of our rock `n’ roll dreams. It’s good to have you back, Billy, cause things just weren’t the same without you.
