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Over the years, Weezer have developed an amazingly loyal fanbase, one that continues to surprise even them. Online and at shows fans analyze set lists and trade bootlegs. If they were wearing tie-dye, you might think Phish were playing the Whisky tonight, which is fitting, since Weezer are beginning to incorporate long instrumental jams into their shows.
"I'm really proud of us," says Cuomo, staring through his signature Buddy Holly glasses. "We've gone from being just another three-chord power-pop band to being like Pink Floyd or Phish or something, but in a good way."
Cuomo credits the growth to the band's relentless tour schedule since the release of Weezer (a.k.a. the Green Album) a year ago. "I think it's a natural progression when you're playing shows every night," he explains. "After six months, you're like, 'F--- this, man. I don't wanna play these same 10 songs the same way every night. I just wanna let go and have fun on my instrument.'"
Having fun has been a big part of Weezer lately, and not just onstage or at the foosball table. The recording sessions for Maladroit were some of the most enjoyable days they have had together since forming Weezer a decade ago.
"We've gone through a huge shift in the way we're creative," Wilson says. "Something just happened. It clicked. It felt easier and just more natural to play, and it's been a joy."
Certainly some of that shift can be credited to Cuomo, the band's longtime songwriter, who approached the new album feeling more flexible than ever. He even stepped back at times and let his bandmates sing and write material.
"I feel like I'm very open to what anyone wants to do on their instrument," Cuomo says. "We just go in there with no preconceptions and just encourage each other to just have fun and be creative, and it just happens naturally."
Weezer were also refreshed on Malodroit by the addition of Shriner, who stepped in for Mikey Welsh when he checked into a mental institution last fall.
"I just called a friend of mine and said, 'Do you know any cool bass players?' The guy said, 'I know somebody, but he's covered with tattoos and has a gold tooth.' I was like, 'Cool, perfect. Perfect for Weezer,' " Cuomo explains. "He comes from a different background, where shredding is OK. And he just gets up there every night and puffs his chest up and just shreds, and I think we all get excited and follow his lead."
"He really made us man up," adds Wilson. "I'm so excited to play with a guy who's into all the classic rock stuff."
Shriner joined Weezer at an abnormally transitional time for the band. While they were welcoming in their third bassist, they were saying goodbye to their managers and publicists. They decided to do the work themselves, which they have actually done quite well. In February they sent out advances of Maladroit with a hand-signed letter announcing the album's release date to journalists and radio programmers. It irked their record label, but those who received the music were stoked. The contact information on the letter and a recently mailed press kit is Rivers Cuomo's.
"Who else is gonna care more about their band?" Wilson explains simply.
"Earlier in our career there were more professionals around us all the time, encouraging us to play the game and be smart, and we fired all of those people," Cuomo says. "Now we're just out of our minds playing music and having fun. Making mistakes but getting better as we go along."
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Photo: Geffen
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