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-=TABLE of CONTENTS=-
Updated Oct 16. 1996
originally arranged by starkid59@aol.com updated by Alan
1. the Songs
2. Band Info
3. The Album Covers
4. Miscellaneous
5. (empty) sorry.
6. Weezer Discography
7. Bands that are mentioned with Weezer
8. Acknowledgements/Resources
1. SONGS
1.1 Where can I find the lyrics to...?
The lyrics to both albums can be found at various Weezer web
sites on the interenet.You also may be able to recieve some by writing to
the NEW fan club address (don't write to the one on the blue album, they
moved!) at:
Send S.A.S.E to: Weezer
9311 SE Foster Rd. #666
Portland, OR. 97266
1.2 Where can I find the tablature to...?
Undone the Sweater Song - Guitar World, December 1994
Buddy Holly - Guitar World, April 1995
Weezer Transcription Book - available throguh various magazines and stores
"Weezer" Album transcription by Rahul Kamath (RKAMATH@DELPHI.COM)
ftp site: ftp.nevada.edu
1.3 What does song mean?
Jonas: "Explains how "the plan" is reaming is all. especially my
brother. It's a good introduction to the album."
No One Else: "the jealous-obsessive asshole in me freaking out on my
girlfriend."
The World Has Turned: "the same asshole wondering why she's gone."
Buddy Holly: "It's about a particular girl I knew... It's about my
commitment to her... our relationship... and, er, my willingness to
defend her. It's very platonic. Not a romantic thing at all."
Undone: "the feeling you get when the train stops and the little guy
comes knockin' on your door. It was supposed to be a sad song, but
everyone thinks it's hilarious."
Surf Wax: "a total sarcasic call to hedonism, so sing along, drink and
be merry. I hate drinking and only do so when I aboslutely have to
(which in these days, seems to be quite often).
Say It Ain't So: "also about beer."
In The Garage & Holiday: "written in a sudden burst of confidence and
optimism right after we got a record deal. Those positive emotions
have since dissipated - along with out cash advances - but I still like
the songs."
"None of these songs are perfect, but I think you can hear that we're
trying hard to be honest and real. Pat really kicked ass on the drums
and Brian, Matt and I sang with a lot of feeling. The record sounds kind
of weird, but if you turn it up extremely loud and lie down, it can be
rewarding."
Rivers
1.4 What are they saying on "Undone"?
Matt: Hey bra', how we doin' man?
Karl: Awright.
Matt: It's been a while man, Life's so rad! This band's my favorite
man, don't ya love 'em?
Karl: Yeah.
Matt: Aw man, you wan't a beer?
Karl: Awright.
Matt: Aw man, this is the best. I'm so glad we're all back together
and stuff. This is great man.
Karl: Yeah.
Matt: Hey, d'you know about the party after the show?
Karl: Yeah.
Matt: Aw man, it's gonna be the best, I'm so stoked! Take it easy
bra'.
Mykel: Hey, what's up?
Karl: Not Much.
Mykel: Did you hear about the party?
Karl: Yeah.
Mykel: I think I'm gonna go but, um, my friends don't really wanna go.
Could I get a ride?
Notes:
1. bra' as in bro' as in brother.
2. Matt as in bass player.
3. Karl as in amazing 5th member of weezer.
4. these aren't the same words they say when performing live though,
they make them up as the go along.
5. recorded in the garage (pictured inside the CD cover) which is
soon to be featured in the video for "Say It Ain't So"
2. BAND INFO
2.1 What's a Weezer!!??
There have been various ideas to this, the most respected was that
it was Rivers old nickname, but even that hasn't been confirmed. The
band just usually says, "We had a bunch of names and we all just
agreed on that one." There have been many different obscure Weezer
references spotted from books, t.v., etc in the past (my favorite is
the name of Paul's hamster on the Wonder Years) and to list them all
would take too long.
2.2 When was Weezer formed?
first rehearsal: feb 14, 1992
2.3 When are their birthdays?
Matt: September 22nd, 1969
Rivers: June 13th, 1970
Patt: February 1st, 1969
Brian: December 9th, 1968
2.4 Bio Info.
Rivers Cuomo (vocals, guitar)
My name is Rivers Cuomo. I'm 23 and I sing and play guitar in
Weezer. It's hard to talk about myself without sounding like a
jerk, but apparently I have no choice, so I'll try to be as simple
and honest as I can. I grew up in various little farm towns in upstate
Connecticut completely sheltered from anything remotely "cool." At
18, I freaked out and moved to Los Angeles to become a rock star.
I soon realized that I was an idiot, and gave up. At the same
time, my girlfriend broke up with me. I was really sad and started
to write songs. Most of them sucked, but it became a habit that
stuck with me. Because I'm so terrible at expressing my feelings
directly, and because no one really cares, and because anything
real is almost impossible to talk about, I've come to rely on music
more and more to express myself.
Matt Sharp (bass, vocals)
My name is Matt and I play bass in Weezer. This is the first band
I've been in and the first album I've played on, both of which mean a
lot to me. I also sang the falsetto vocals on the record, which is
probably most recognizable on "Say It Ain't So." (These were, oddly
enough, the first notes I sang in front of anyone). The falsetto stuff
is pretty much on all the tunes except for "In the Garage" and
"Holiday." Singing can be pretty rewarding even when you're not that
good at it. For me, it filled a gap in my life that was there until the
band started.
I'm not exactly sure what we four have in common, but I
do consider Pat, Brian and Rivers to be good people and good friends
that I am glad to be associated with. Also, the opportunity to work
with people as talented as Ric and Chris was an experience and an honor
that will be with me forever. If I had to make a list of music I care
about and have been listening to lately, the things that come to mind
first are: the last three Talk Talk albums, old Gary Numan records,
the Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack, and all of That Dog [sic] songs
I could get from Tony and Rachel. I hope when people listen to these
ten songs, they will enjoy them as I have enjoyed some of the music I
just mentioned. Besides that, I think my story is just not interesting
and I should probably stop.
Brian Bell (guitar, vocals)
Raised in Tennessee, little Brian knew he wanted to be a rock star at
an early age. Lucky enough to catch an Elvis (Prestly, that is)
concert at the age of four, he wanted nothing else to be a
hounddog. Studying "geetar" pickin' on TV from such fine eastern
Tenessee programs as "The Barneyloo and Buster Show" and, of course,
"Hee Haw," little Brian learned how to pick 'n' grin on a ukulele his
grandma won at a bingo game. Brian's dad, a wacky absent-minded
professor and ex-college DJ, turned him on to cool music he had from
the 50's and 60's. So, armed with his first turntable, a Fisher Price
lo-fi stereo system, little Brian managed to scratch and destroy
most of Dad's valuable 45's. As Brian grew older, he began to feel
isolated and out-of-place with the other reindeer. While the
"normal" Tennessee boys were out hunting possum, chewing tobacco and
making up fishing stories, he preferred t stay home and watch Billy
Mumy movies. Ah, movies, music and show biz.
Why was it all based in one glorious place -- Los Angeles? So, just like
the Clampetts, Brian packed his bags and moved to Yucca St., Hollyweird
(cause everyone he met at first was on crystal meth). Not at all
like the movies.
Patrick Wilson (drums)
My name is Patrick Wilson and I play drums for Weezer. As I write
this on a Friday morning, I'm listening to our CD. It's a good feeling,
but very strange. Four years ago I was a guy with a bad haircut from
Buffalo, New York. The music scene there is lame, consisting
largely of cover bands and bad metal. It seems that musicians in
small towns have a gunslinger attitude that is also faintly bitter.
Some of them just have an attitude. I decided to quit my day job
and move to Los Angeles with my new friend Pat Finn (Pat is
responsible for us knowing each other. He currently fronts amazing
band named Winkler in Buffalo).After many growing pains, Weezer was
formed. Since then, I've tried to understand what it means to be in
a band. All I know about music is instinctual or from a record; I
haven't witnessed much live music. As far as I can tell, bein in a
band can be just as important as any other
occupation -- and so far, it's far more rewarding. We recorded this
with Ric Ocasek and Chris Shaw at Electric Lady in N.Y. I loved the
experience and feel honored to have worked with them. The record sounds
the way it does because the drums aren't the loudest thing in the mix.
Sle of recording has taken over, and we
didn't want that. The only effects used are fuzz bass on "In The
Garage" and a little compression here and there. Certainly not as much
as they put on Ringo. Our live show is different from the record in
terms of sheer power, so c'mon out when we rock through yer town.
Thanks for listening.
2.5 Who is Jason Cropper??
Jason Cropper was an original member of Weezer. In the earliest
incarnation he played acoustic guitar and lent backup vocals. One of
the best things about Jason is his smile that seems a permanent part of
his face. When Weezer used to have to actually 'flyer' for a show, long
before the days of sold-out pre-ticketed shows, Jason would be somewhere
at every show in town with a smile and a flyer. Jason was replaced by
Brian Bell while Weezer was in New York recording their album. Jason
returned to Los Angeles and released a daughter, Kiefer Rain,
instead of an album. One of our most glamorous moments was at
Jason's wedding on the beach at Malibu. We felt like we were on the
set of a Melrose Place wedding, it was beautiful.
-Mykel & Carli
2.6 Who are Mykel & Carli?
We moved to Hollywood together in 1989 as parents planned another family
move. Carli converted Mykel to seeing live music and since then we have
spent most of our nights standing too close to thumping speakers and
becoming the "jaded-scenesters" that we are. While in Hollywood we saw
literally thousands of bands, some good and some not so good. It didn't
take long to make a list of favorites and meet the people involved.
July 9, 1992 we were at Club Dump (Johnny Depp bought the place, called
it the Viper Room, River Phoenix died there) to see a good band Crux (No
longer a band). At someone's suggesion we stuck around to see the next
band Weezer. We were impressed and put them on the mental-list of bands
to go see again. The following night we were at a birthday party for our
friend Bryan Ray. Bryan is the bass player in a band called Black Market
Flowers, the first band to write a song called "Mykel & Carli". At the
party we recognized the guy with long hair sitting alone by the
refrigerator. It was Rivers, from Weezer, and he had his eyes for the
birthday cake we had brought. We told him we has enjoyed his band the
night before, he seemed amazed that we had liked it so much. The three of
us sat on the couch and talked about music, food and growing up - we had
wierd names and hippie parents in common. Rivers told us when the next
weezer show was and we remained anti-socially on that couch wondering how
long it had taken some of the people there to get dressed. We made
sure he got a piece of the cake and visited until his ride was ready
to go. We continued going to Weezer shows (60 at last count) whenever
we could. We met the rest of the band and provided a spectator's
viewpoint and sideline reviews, whether they wanted to hear it or not.
We made cookies and road trips. The band got better and the audience
grew. Weezer signed with Geffen and was actually going to release an
album! They asked us if we would send lyrics for them so they could
include the picture of the garage inside the cover. Not knowing what
we were in for we agreed, "Of course, anything for you guys." After
all, Rivers had written a sweet song for us called "Mykel & Carli".
Just sending lyrics wasn't enough. Stuffing envelopes isn't much fun and
we wanted to share what we knew about them with other people who care
about them. So the "Fanclub" began. At the end of February we moved
out of
Hollywood. We left some good friends to come to Portland, Oregon but it's
nice to have a garage to spread the Weezer stuff out in and some time to
keep up with all the mail. Somethimes we miss seeing Weezer and it's
members all the time. However, it's fun to have some people to jump up
and down to see the band happy.
2.9 What's with River's Leg?
Rivers had an operation, it was to stretch out his right leg that has
always been shorter that the other. They broke his leg and then attatched
a brace that streched his leg a little bit at a time. During the process
he said, "It hurts but it will be worth it." A few weeks ago River's
bumped it and had to go to the hospital. Some tour dates had to be
cancelled... sorry if one of them was yours!
3. The Album Covers
3.1a Who is on the Blue album cover?
From left to right: Patrick, Rivers, Matt, Brian
3.1b Who's on the posters in the garage?
Poster on left: the cover of the judas priest album called british steel.
The album came out in 1980 but the band has been together since 1969.
Poster on right: Carlos Cavazo and Kevin Dubrow from the L.A. band
"Quiet Riot".
3.1c What is the joke about the album cover?
There is no real joke about the album cover. Apparently, Chris Robinson
of the Black Crowes was misquoted in Rolling Stones magazine. He refered
the the band Weezer's cover as a joke when he actually meant the band
Ween.
3.2 PINKERTON
3.2a What is a Pinkerton?
Pinkerton is a character in a play called Madame Butterfly, which
is Rivers favorite opera. There was a
litle bit of controversy when the album was released. There is an old
corporation called Pinkerton ( as in Pinkerton detective agency) who felt
Weezer was unlawfully using thier name so they sued them. They managed
to halt sales for day, but I bought my cd when it was supposedly
banned). The case has since been settled with Weezer, of course,
winning.
3.2b What does the Itialan around the rim of the Pinkerton cd mean?
It says (Italian)
"Dovunque al mondo lo Yankee vagabondo si gode e traffica sprezzando i
rischi.
Affonda l'ancora alla ventura."
...means...
"Everywhere in the world the wandering Yankee has a good time and
trades headless of the danger. He drops the anchor to the fortune".
3.2c What is this talk of a Map in Pinkerton? I don't see one!
There is a "secret" map behind the black casing side of the cd case.
You can easily open it and take a look, although the print is kinda small.
3.3 On the map, some notables things are:
The island of Mykel and Carli. The Sharpless mountains. Weepel. Cio Cio
San. U.S.S. Pinkerton, Jonas, the Bitch Moutains
3.4 Some phrases on the map:
"Isola della farfalla" means "Island of the butterfly" which is actually
Japan.
"Penisola di cane" means "Peninsula of the dog"
4. MISCELLANEOUS
4.1 How can I find out more about the band?
Dec. 1994 Guitar World (pg.17)
Jan. 1995 Details (pg.112)
Mar. 1995 Guitar World
???. 1995 Rolling Stones (Cranberries on the cover)
(All of which are featured on the RWA (Rebel Weezer Alliance)
4.2 Where can I get this song?
So far, there are nine unreleased songs:
"Jamie" can be found on a CD called "DGC Rarities Vol.1'. You should be
able to find it at your local music store. If they don't have it in stock
they can order it from DGC/Geffen.
"Mykel & Carli", "Susanne", and "Sweet Adeline" can be found on the
'Undone' Australian import single. If you can't find this at your local
music store, contact Ear-Xtact to help you get it.
"You Gave Your Love to Me Softly", on the "Angus" movie soundtrack.
A redone "You gave Your Love to Me Softly" and "Devotion" can be found
on the so far rare "El SCorcho" single
"Waiting For You" and "I just Threw Out The Love Of My Dreams" on the
Australian import of "The Good Life"
4.4 Are there any web pages/ftp sites?
Yes, there are plenty. It seems once every couple weeks a new one
pops up.
There are a couple of really good ones out there, particulary
WWWeezer and The Rebel Weezer Alliance which has some incredible
graphics.
4.5 What is up with Jeneane Garfolo and Weezer.
Apparently, Jeneanne wore a Weezer hat on an episode of Saturday
Night Live. In answer, Matt Sharp made a shirt that said I love Jeneanne
Garofalo and wore it for a picture that appeared in Entertainment
magazine. I guess they met sometime, but so far as I know, there are no
plans for marriage yet.
4.6 Whats the relation between Weezer and Star Wars??
Simply put, Weezer likes Star Wars. Apparently, when Weezer was
intervieing for a new guitarist (Jason Cropper left), Rivers asked
Brian Bell what his favorite Star Wars action figure was. He said
Hammerhead, and that was that.
4.7 What does the LUSH song "Ladykillers" have to do with Weezer?
The lead singer of LUSH admitted that a few lines of the song where about
Matt Sharp. The lines that deal with him are the ones that start with
"Blondie was with us for a month" Which refers to when matt had bleached
his hair, and was touring with LUSH. I guess he was hitting on her, and
she didn't like it.
4.8 What are the stories about a cardboard Chewbacca about?
Apparently, sometime during the 94-95 tour, a fan in Canada gave
the band a life-size cardboard cut out of Chewbacca from Star Wars. At
several shows the band brought it on stage and let it stand at
the corner of the stage. By the end of the tour it was really beat up.
6. WEEZER DISCOGRAPHY
Nov. '92 - April '94 - Various cassette demos and advanced CD's of
May 10, 1994 1st album (DGC) on CD and cassette
Beyond May 1994
* All foreign editions virtually identcal except minor fine print
changes and "Geffen Death Star Balls" instead of DGC logo.
* DGC Rarities CD and Cassette with "Jamie"
# Undone promo CD (wrong edit 3:58) (sweater texture art)
# Undone promo CD (correct edit 4:10) (sweater texture art)
* Undone cassette single b/w Holiday (band photo: funhouse mirror)
* Undone Australia CD Single (cardboard sleeve) b/w "Mykel and Carli",
"Susanne", "Sweet Adeline" (My Avaline) (sweater texture art)
* Undone U.K. CD/cassette/7" single b/w "Mykel and Carli", "Susanne",
"Holiday" (all formats have all songs)
# Buddy Holly promo CD (old photo: Rivers and Girl)
* Buddy Holly Austrailian CD single b/w Holiday (old photo: Rivers and
Girl)
* Buddy Holly UK CD/cassette/7" single. CD b/w "Jonas" and "Surf Wax
America" live and Rarities "Jamie"; Cassette and 7" b/w "Jamie" (old
photo: Rivers and brother, except 7" with Buddy Holly's 45's art)
# Say It Ain't So promo CD (re-mix version 4:17)
* Say It Ain't So UK CD/cassette/7"(?) single b/w "No One Else
(acoustic)" and "Jamie (acoustic)" (school board art)
# French promo give-away 7" "Undone" b/w "Jonas" on dark blue vinyl
(cover same as CD but with yellow background) edition of 1200
# Various DGC and Radio Station compilations contain album tracks,
nothing exclusive, however, the recent DGC "Son of Swag" promo
compilation has the live "Jonas" from the U.K. Buddy Holly CD single.
* "Angus" Motion picture soundtrack with "You Gave Your Love to Me
Softly"
* = for sale (in print) #= DGC promo (could turn up used)
Alan's note: I won't update this list becuase I don't have access to all the
special versions that come out. All these discs were reported
by the demi-god Karl Koch (weezer's roadie and good buddy) in 1995,
and who probably has all of these somewhere since I imagine the band
gets a copy of everything released.
7. How are the following bands related to Weezer?
7.a
Matt Sharp's band THE RENTALS has one successful record out on Maverick
(Madonna's label) called Return of the Rentals. They also have a single
out for Friends of P. with a b-side called So Soon.
They also have a song on a Poop Alley (L.A. studio) compilation tape
called California. There is also a rare Friends of P single with a
different version of The Love I'm Searching For.
7.b
Brian Bell's band SPACE TWINS are currently on hiatus due to
Pinkerton.They have a single out (7" vinyl that is) on World
Domination Records.It contains the songs No Show, A brief history, and
Take My Place.
They were in the studio over Christmas break 95 and recorded a lot but
we're still waiting to hear what's going to be released.
7.c
SUBURBAN ADVANTAGE is a very rare and early solo project from drummer
Pat Wilson. Pat has since stated that the he doesn't want anyone to
hear the stuff he recorded for this, so you probably can't get it.
7.d
THE SPECIAL GOODNESS is Pat's latest solo project. Geffen records is
rumoured to be releasing it. Apparently they don't want it taking any
glory from Pinkerton so it will be a while before it is officially
released.
7.e.
THAT DOG is a band also from L.A. The members are Anna Warnoker,
Petra and Rachel Haden, and Tony. The Weezer -That Dog relationship
started with Matt Sharp being big fans of thiers. They eventually became
friends and Weezer added them onto part of thier 94-95 tour. When the
violin work on the record, although she didn't tour with the band.
Rachel Haden also added some vocals for one song. That Dog currently
has two albums out and a few scattered singles. They are currently in
the studio.
7.f
SUPERSPORT 2000 is also an L.A. band like Weezer. Matt Sharp borrowed
Chierlynn Westrich for vocals and Rod Cereva for guitar playing in
the Rentals. They have a sound similar to That Dog and Weezer. The only
known music avalable to me is a 3 song demo which I purchased from
none other than the two sweet angels themselves, Mykel and Carli.
7.g
SPAIN really isn't related at all except that Josh Haden, brother of
Petra and Rachel Haden, is the lead singer for it.
7.h
9 IRON is Tony Maxell's, the drummer for That Dog, band.
7. i
CARNIVAL ART was Brian Bell's band before he joined Weezer. I'm not
totally sure what his role in the band was besides being a guitarist,
and if anyone has more information about his band let me know. Also,
it seems that Brian Bell has made an appeance in a video on MTV
before Weezer. The Carnival Art video has recenltly poped up on
the philosophical debating show Beavis and Butthead.
8.1 Acknowledgements/Resources
Weezine - Winter '94, Spring '95, Summer '95
DGC - History Papers
VOX/April '95
Los Angeles Times - May 21, 1995
Thanks to Mykel and Carli,
Anuj Behal foolio@alpha.wcoil.com and the Rebel Weezer Alliance
http://alpha.wcoil.com/~foolio
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The Weezer Inc. 1997.