Where did this site come from? Where? Have I been too transfixed on gaming? How is it that the anti-hero of modern rock has had his very own home on the web for a week without me knowing about it? It’s a bit on the unattractive side, but I’m pretty keen on the blog-style content.

After the breakup of Zwan, Billy hinted pretty heavily about going solo. But I didn’t expect him to head into the studio this soon. Corgan notes: “I am excited to work on this music, because for the first time in my life it will be my tunes with no compromises to anyone or anything. It’s gonna be loud and beautiful and poetic and dumb. Just the way I like it.”

Technically this is his first solo project, but as he said himself in the interview many people – including former Pumpkins and Zwan bandmates – would argue otherwise. With Corgan now finally having complete creative control over his musical vision, I expect nothing less than greatness from his new record.

you know I’m not dead

Rolling Stone crapped out a newsbite noting that Billy Corgan has added guitar to a track on the upcoming album by Blindside that’s due next year. Sure I’m a fanboy – and this is the same reason I bought New Order’s Get Ready. Not because it’s a mediocre album that averages out my collection, but because our anti-hero of rock sings in two songs, and provides guitar and keyboards for most of the record. He even toured with them that year. Do you understand why the breakup of Zwan fucking kills me? I had to listen to that shit for a full two years before I got more official Corgan material.

Today I received some most unfortunate news. It’s official; Billy has decided to dissolve Zwan.

Back in 2000 when I heard that the Pumpkins were on their final tour after formally announcing their lame excuses for breaking up the band, I was saddened, but glad that I would be able to see them at Summersault 2000. In hindsight, I was completely into their performance, but I can see why a lot felt that it was sub par. Hey, at least he waved goodbye to everyone when they had played their final encore. Only to break down sobbing after their final performance ever at The Metro in Chicago later that year.

And now he’s doing it again with Zwan? Sure, they weren’t together for that long so I doubt it was a very sorrowful goodbye for any of the members. But what about the fans, Billy? As soon as I heard about this new project, I was waiting for the Second Coming. And for all intents and purposes, for me it was. Zwan’s first album was fantastic, and I completely rocked out during their Toronto show back in March (although the crowd were a bunch of dimwits that had no idea what they were witnessing, they were too busy posing).

Maybe I’m taking this a bit too hard, but it seems to me that Billy is just giving up. He says he’s going to get into poetry or some shit, maybe a solo career. But we need a band, Billy. Already the members of Zwan are going their separate ways. The dream is dying and it breaks my fucking heart.

a little sunshine, just to butter my toast.

I figure I’d write a little bit on my impressions of Sloan’s new CD. Ever since Navy Blues, they’ve been steadily cranking out albums every two years. They’ve changed their sound a lot since their early days, in fact I’d say the turning point was the excellent One Chord to Another. I’m not selling their CDs or anything. If you haven’t heard anything by these guys, but do enjoy such works by the bands The Ataris, Good Charlotte, or Dashboard Confessional, I’d recommend getting the fuck off this website. If you’re still here, I ask you, why do you have such fickle tastes in music? Go and check out Sloan. One thing I can say with certainty is that Sloan has remained true to their fans and their music over the years with a sound that won’t go out of style as quick as your power-pop-punk-asscaptain band du jour. Now on to the album.

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Krist Novoselic to the music industry: “I quit.”

The former Nirvana bassist (for those that make a point of ignoring the last 10 years in music) is packing in his music career in favour of a future in politics. Some of us might say that his career after Nirvana went nowhere anyway, since he basically fell off the face of the planet after the questionable Willie Nelson tribute. It’s not like he had the luck or charisma of Dave Grohl either, to launch another band into the stratosphere. Instead he was seen as a failure with such bands as Sweet 75 and Eyes Adrift who both did very poorly in record sales (and had little or no publicity). He claims that is the reason for leaving the business, but I’m sure he was just frustrated.

Personally, if he wants to pursue a career in politics, good for him. I’m sure he’s had more than a taste of that while battling the she-bitch. My first reaction was to label him a coward for calling it quits with the music industry, but if you look back on what he had, it was too much too soon. The grunge scene exploded with Nirvana at the top, so how the fuck are you supposed to follow something like that? I can only imagine his lack of success outside of Nirvana made him seem inadequate alongside his former bandmate.

Krist began several good causes after the breakup of Nirvana, the most notable being JAMPAC (Joint Artist and Music Promotions Action Committtee), which lobbies against censorship and other legislation detrimental to the cultural and economic vitality of the music community.

I wish him the best of luck.