Billy Corgan has offered fans the clearest update yet on the long-awaited return of Zwan’s music, confirming that the band’s vault is finally beginning to open after more than two decades.
Speaking on the red carpet at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman revealed that the Zwan reissue project has grown far beyond a simple deluxe edition. Instead of packaging everything into one enormous box set, Corgan said the material will be released across multiple collections, allowing fans to explore the band’s extensive archive in stages.
The first release will feature newly remixed and remastered versions of Mary Star of the Sea, the band’s lone studio album released in 2003. Alongside the refreshed album, Corgan said listeners can expect roughly two additional LPs of previously unreleased recordings.
According to Corgan, the decision to spread the material across several releases comes down to volume. He explained that Zwan recorded more than 60 unreleased songs during the band’s short lifespan, creating an archive so large that a traditional box set would have become impractical for both the label and fans.
The update is welcome news for followers of the short-lived supergroup, which brought together Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, Matt Sweeney, David Pajo and Paz Lenchantin. Although the band existed for only a brief period, Mary Star of the Sea has remained a favorite among many Smashing Pumpkins fans, fueling years of speculation about unreleased recordings and expanded editions.
Beyond discussing Zwan, Corgan shared personal memories involving two artists who left lasting impressions on him.
Reflecting on Stevie Nicks, Corgan recalled that she once invited him to produce an album, although the collaboration ultimately never came together. Even without making a record together, he described the opportunity to spend time with Nicks discussing music and songwriting as something he deeply treasures. He also spoke warmly about The Smashing Pumpkins’ cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide, saying it remains especially meaningful because Nicks later thanked him after the song reached a new generation of listeners.
Corgan also looked back on one of his earliest experiences seeing My Bloody Valentine perform in Chicago during the Isn’t Anything era. He remembered a sparsely attended show where drummer Colm Ó Cíosóig broke a bass drum head mid-performance. Rather than stopping the concert, guitarist Kevin Shields continued creating layers of guitar textures for roughly 15 minutes while the drum was repaired, a moment Corgan described as unforgettable and a perfect example of the band’s creativity in a live setting.
The interview concluded with another reminder of Corgan’s enduring love for classic rock. During the Songwriters Hall of Fame festivities, he teamed up with Goo Goo Dolls singer John Rzeznik to perform KISS anthem Shout It Out Loud, adding another memorable moment to an evening celebrating songwriting across multiple generations.
For longtime Zwan fans, however, the biggest headline remains the promise that a treasure trove of unheard music is finally on its way. After years of rumors and anticipation, Corgan’s latest comments suggest that one of alternative rock’s most sought-after archives may soon begin reaching listeners.
