Rocknews.com interview with Rivers Cuomo - April 2002

Redone - the Weezer Saga
By Joe Robinson; Interview by Steve Reynolds
Don't call it a comeback -- they've been here for years! Buoyed by a radio-friendly debut album - featuring a string of catchy hit singles penned by enigmatic frontman Rivers Cuomo - and a large following of rabid fans, Weezer became one of the biggest bands to emerge during the alterna-rock craze of the mid-'90s. But it all came crashing down in the wake of the group's commercially disastrous second disc, Pinkerton. A despondent Cuomo went into hiding, and his band went on indefinite hiatus. It would be five years before Weezer would return to their perch atop the alternative nation.
Formed in 1992, Weezer were one of the most popular up-and-coming acts on the competitive Los Angeles club scene for more than a year before being signed to DGC Records. The quartet's self-titled debut (which became known to fans as The Blue Album) dropped in May of 1994 and quickly propelled Weezer to the top of the charts. The disc's well-crafted and unique take on pop music - catchy surf-infused tunes, overdriven guitars, understated virtuosity - struck a nerve with a crowd worn out on grunge grittiness.
The disc's quirky first single, "Undone - the Sweater Song," introduced Weezer to the world, but it was the charmingly sentimental "Buddy Holly" that became the band's breakout smash - the cut's Spike Jonze-directed video scored four Moonmen at the MTV Video Music Awards, including Breakthrough Video and Best Alternative Music Video. "Say It Ain't So" made it three hits in a row for Weezer, and The Blue Album has gone on to attain triple-platinum status.
After a bit of a break - Cuomo took time off to attend Harvard University, drummer Patrick Wilson and bassist Matt Sharp formed a synth-pop project called The Rentals and guitarist Brian Bell resumed work with his former band, the Space Twins - Weezer returned in the fall of '96 with Pinkerton. The band's sophomore release was a self-produced platter that boasted a raw edge and emotional frailty that contrasted with the singsong simplicity of The Blue Album. The disc's first single, "El Scorcho," failed to catch fire, and sales of Pinkerton quietly smoldered well below gold status. (The disc eventually scored a gold plaque in 2001.) A despondent Cuomo went into seclusion, holing himself up in his L.A. pad and refusing visitors. Despite a growing cult following, five years would pass before Weezer committed another song to tape.}}
In the downtime, Sharp left the band to concentrate on The Rentals. Cuomo eventually surfaced in Boston with former Juliana Hatfield bassist Mikey Welsh; the duo turned in a few performances playing under the not-so-secretive moniker the Rivers Cuomo Band. By 1999, Welsh had taken over the vacant bassist spot in Weezer and the band was rehearsing in Los Angeles. A handful of successful club shows later, and Cuomo had regained the confidence to take Weezer back on the road.
Weezer made their official return on the 2000 Warped Tour and the response was overwhelming. A full-scale headlining tour was lined up and dates for the jaunt sold out almost instantly. The Christmas EP - available to Weezer fan-club members only - emerged at the start of 2001, tiding over hardcore followers while Weezer readied their next full-length effort. Their self-titled third album (aka The Green Album), which dropped May of last year, debuted at an impressive No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart, erasing any thoughts that Weezer were washed up. The disc marked a return to the Nirvana-meets-the-Beatles simplicity of The Blue Album, with singles like the riff-driven "Hash Pipe" and the breezy "Island in the Sun" quickly becoming modern-rock staples.
With last summer's arena tour in support of the disc on the horizon, the band suffered a sudden and unexpected blow. Welsh mysteriously disappeared and later turned up in a psychiatric hospital. Scott Shriner quickly was called in as his replacement.
Weezer have been touring the globe ever since then, stopping every so often to record new material. Known for being Internet savvy and fan friendly, the quartet spent much of last year posting demo versions of tunes to get feedback from its fans. By the start of this year, Weezer had wrapped up work on their forthcoming fourth album, Maladroit, due May 14. Much to the chagrin of Interscope Records execs, Cuomo and the boys personally sent out eight-song advance promos of the disc to radio stations and various members of the media. A standoff between camp Weezer and Interscope ensued, with Cuomo eventually relenting; he sent out follow-up letters asking that the disc not be played on the air. But the damage was already done - Maladroit cut "Dope Nose" already was in heavy rotation at many stations across the country.
Weezer are not about to take a rest. The band already is hard at work on album number five. (The group's official website claims a February 2003 release date already has been secured for the disc.) Cuomo & Co. kick off their Dusty West '02 tour on April 23 in Edmonton, Canada, with openers Pete Yorn and AM Radio, and will begin a Japan trek on May 16 in Sendai.
Cuomo recently spoke with us about posting Weezer songs on the 'Net, fanatic fans, the controversy over Maladroit and the group's latest bassman, Scott Shriner.
Hot Water Music
Tired of Fame?
El Scorcho
I Can't Help My Feelings
My Name Is Shriner
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