The Smashing Pumpkast

We're kicking off 2022 with the penultimate, climactic installment of Zwan Zeason, our coverage of the one and ONLY official full-length Zwan album, MARY STAR OF THE SEA! Joining us is a great old friend of ours (and unofficial Pumpkast producer), comedy writer, music journalist and Zwan enthuziast, Alex Scordelis (The Cinnamon Boys, Paper Magazine, writer for Difficult People and Billy on the Street). Alex kicks off our discussion with a reading of his review of Mary Star of the Sea from his college newspaper in 2003, tells us a story about getting kicked out of an interview with Courtney Love, and even busts out his guitar for some chord progression guessing game action. 

We also discuss the 90’s-era need to fill a CD to the brim, finally giving in to the shameless rock of "Baby Let’s Rock," Lords of Synth dance moves that could have improved the "Lyric" video, and the challenges of being a parent while still making time for the entire "Jesus I/ Mary Star of the Sea" track. All that plus answers to the big questions: Who exactly is Billy Burke (turns out it's a Wizard of Oz reference)? Can Wikipedia be wrong? and Does Stephen Malkmus actually like Zwan?! Oh... and you better believe we make lots of “Get Back” comparisons (Billy is a total Paul). 

It's a fun, inspired, doomed period of Billy’s career that STILL reared a solid, unique and underrated album. 

Hope this episode offers you a little sunshine just to butter your toast! 

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