Zwan
Live, Milano, Alcatraz, 20.02.2003

THE REVIEW

X: What is this building?
Y: It's the headquarters of a company, designed by Ove Arup. Not bad, right?
X: Nice, you don't see many like this around. But where's Alcatraz?
Y: It's right next to it, see?
X: Wow, so many people. Is the place big?
Y: Quite. I saw the Chemical Brothers here a few years ago.
X: Let's go in.
Y: Well, come on. We're not the oldest ones here.
X: I was noticing that too. There are some kids, but also a lot of old Smashning Pumpkins fans with the "Zero" t-shirt.
Y: I wonder who the support act will be.
X: Support? Is there a support act??
Y: Yes, I saw it while passing by on my motorcycle next to the posters, but they always write it so small.
X: Here they come...
Y: Who is it? Sounds like Alberto Fortis singing like Bennato...
X: Ah.. it's Bugo.
Y: Bugo! Someone reviewed him on the site.
X: I saw a video.
Y: The title "io mi rompo i coglioni" is cool...
X: Yes, I'm bored too, I want to see Billy!
Y: Here he comes. What the hell is that shirt?
X: They start with the 7, "Ride A Black Swan", the one with a truly spectacular drum.
Y: Jimi Chamberlin is a legend, possibly the greatest ever.
X: Surely Billy Corgan has recreated his usual habitat: female bassist, guitarist who looks oriental, Jimi on drums....
Y: They are very choral, playing harmoniously together, they seem to be having fun.
X: They are great to watch, with these psychedelic projections on the stage curtains.
Y: I don't know this one. Where's it from?
X: Maybe it's unreleased. I know they've written a ton of songs.
Y: And this is "Honestly", a great song and played divinely.
X: I wonder if they'll also play something from the Smashing Pumpkins?
Y: I read on NME that in London they did "Today" and also "1979".
X: Maybe it's better not to. Better to turn the page.
Y: What the hell guitar does Billy Corgan have now?
X: It's a Gibson Voodoo V, really flashy.
Y: Now they'll do an encore...
X: They played really well. Very in tune. They finally blasted the mic with Billy's voice.
Y: They're doing an Alice Cooper cover...
X: That one's great too.
Y: You know what I liked? Those "digressions" on the theme, with bassist Paz approaching Jimi's drums and starting to improvise, and everyone else follows for hours and hours. How long did it last?
X: Wow... almost two hours.
Y: With just one album???
X: NME was right: "zwantastic"
Y: I forgot the digital camera. Too bad. Maybe you needed a photo for the site...???