Friday, Dec. 6, 2002 | 8:57 a.m.
When: Thursday.
Where: The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Tickets: $22.50.
Rating (out of 5 stars): *** 1/2.
"Baby, we were born to come together."
Simple as the lyric might have been, it succinctly told the story of Zwan on Thursday night at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Never heard of Zwan? Before long you probably will.
The band is the latest creation of former Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan. After folding his old band two years ago, the multitalented guitarist/vocalist/songwriter recruited his own five-piece supergroup, which is preparing to release its first album in January.
In Zwan's Las Vegas debut -- and first live appearance since May -- the quintet did indeed sound as if they were born to come together, serving up a high-powered one-hour, 40-minute set to a crowd of around 1,100 zealous supporters.
Though Corgan's new group has released just one track, the single "Honestly," the audience reacted enthusiastically to all 14 songs it heard on this night, inspiring Zwan to return for a pair of encores.
"This is our first show in many a month," guitarist Matt Sweeney announced at one point.
Corgan, a notorious perfectionist, hastily added, "Can't you tell?"
Actually, apart from a somewhat muddy instrumental mix early on and a few missteps from there, it would have been nearly impossible to determine the band was just coming off a long road hiatus.
Several of Zwan's compositions sounded as if they came straight from the Pumpkins' best albums, alternately turbulent and trippy. Corgan's new unit came off far looser than his old band, though, with more room built in for free-form jamming and solo work.
As he did throughout the Pumpkins' 12-year career, Corgan served as the focal point all evening. Bald and decked out in all black, the 35-year-old frontman showed off his familiar angstful voice, easily maneuvering up to upper-register notes and back down.
The Chicago native also demonstrated that he is a far better guitar player than many give him credit for, regularly enveloping his songs with fierce solos and fills. Corgan even eschewed his normally gloomy persona, smiling widely on several occasions and kidding with his fervent supporters, several of whom wore Pumpkins-era "Zero" T-shirts.
"We appreciate you coming out. We know that you passed up a lot of nude reviews to be here tonight," he deadpanned during one stretch.
Equally important to the band's success, however, was its rhythm section. Half of that combo, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, knows a bit about backing Corgan, having played in the Pumpkins from 1988-96 and then again from 1999 until the group's demise after conquering substance-abuse problems.
Chamberlin sizzled from the outset, keying Zwan's hard-edged assault from his seat behind his four bandmates.
Chamberlin's rhythm partner, bassist Paz Lenchantin, brings opposite skills, having joined Corgan's company most recently, in the spring.
Formerly of alt-metal Tool spinoff outfit A Perfect Circle, Lenchantin powered Zwan with rib-rattling basslines. Sporting long brown hair, a white blouse, a short animal-print skirt and bright red lipstick, she swayed from side to side and grinned mischievously all night.
Sweeney, onetime leader of indie rock band Chavez, stood closest to Corgan, fitting since the duo conceived of Zwan's supergroup concept even as the Pumpkins enjoyed the height of their 1990s popularity. Looking the part of the slacker in a dirty red baseball cap and untucked button-down shirt, Sweeney complemented Corgan with some scorching guitar work of his own.
Surprisingly, the fifth member of Zwan, third guitarist David Pajo, was also the least effective at this show.
Considered by many to be the most skilled musician in the bunch, the indie rock veteran boasts a storied resume, having played in Slint and Tortoise, toured with Stereolab, Palace and Royal Trux and released his own albums under the pseudonyms Papa M and Aerial M.
Pajo appeared hard at work at stage right, concentrating on intricate guitar parts that should have balanced out the screeching cacophony created by Corgan and Sweeney. Unfortunately, Pajo's labors were for naught, with the Kentucky legend all but inaudible in the mix.
With a handful of other live dates lined up this year, Zwan should have time to smooth out its few noticeable rough spots before the band's Reprise Records debut, "Mary Star of the Sea," hits stores on Jan. 28.
Even if they don't, the five musicians have more than enough combined star power to ensure that Thursday night's pre-encore chant of "Zwan, Zwan, Zwan" will be the first of many to come.
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