Weezer

Biography

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Weezer (1992-1997, 2000-present): a Emo band from Los Angeles, California, USA.

merican rock band Weezer formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1992 with the original membership of Jason Cropper (guitars/backing vocals), Matt Sharp (bass/backing vocals), Rivers Cuomo (lead vocals/guitars/keyboards) and Patrick Wilson (drums/percussion/backing vocals/keyboards). In 1993 Brian Bell (guitars/backing vocals) would enter, with Mikey Welsh (bass/backing vocals) in 1998. Under the original line-up the band would open shop on 14 February 1992. Their first show was on 19 March 1992, closing for Keanu Reeves' band Dogstar. They took their name from a nickname Cuomo's father gave him.

The band would go on hiatus in 1997 to return in 2000 with Cuomo and Wilson returning along with Mikey Welsh (R.I.P. 2011; bass/backing vocals) and Bobby Schneck (keyboards/guitars/bass). Welsh would die in 2011 and be replaced by Scott Shriner. Josh Freese (percussion/drums (2009-2012), Daniel Brummel (guitars/keyboards (2012-2014) and Karl Koch (keyboards/guitars/bass/backing vocals (2010-present) would also join.

After signing to 'Geffen Records' in 1993, Weezer released their self-titled debut album, also known as Weezer (Blue Album), in May 1994. Backed by music videos for the singles Buddy Holly, Undone - The Sweater Song and Say It Ain't So, the album became a multiplatinum success. Weezer's second album, Pinkerton (1996), boasting a darker, harsher sound, was a commercial failure despite achieving cult status and critical acclaim years later. Following the tour for Pinkerton, bassist Matt Sharp left the band; Weezer went on hiatus after only two albums.

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In 2000, Weezer reformed and the next year returned with the Weezer (Green Album), essentially a second self-titled, this time featuring new bassist Mikey Welsh. This new album boasted a more pop sound, and with singles like Hash Pipe and Island in the Sun, it proved to be a commercial success. The follow-up, Maladroit (2002), suffered weaker sales, despite receiving positive peer reviews. Make Believe (2005) received mixed reviews, but its single Beverly Hills became Weezer's first single to top the US Modern Rock Tracks chart and the first to reach the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 2008, Weezer's fetish for colors appeared again with their third self-titled this time dubbed Weezer (Red Album); its lead single, Pork and Beans, becoming the third Weezer song to top the Modern Rock Tracks chart, backed by a Grammy-winning music video. Raditude (2009) and Hurley (2010) featured more of a modern pop style. By featuring songs co-written with other artists, the album achieved moderate sales. Their ninth and tenth albums, Everything Will Be Alright in the End (2014) and the so-called Weezer (White Album) (2016), returned to a rock style and achieved more positive reviews. Their eleventh album, Pacific Daydream (2017), featured a more mainstream pop sound. In 2019, Weezer released an album of covers called Weezer (Teal Album) that was followed by Weezer (Black Album) (2019). OK Human (2021) featured an orchestral pop sound. That same year, possibly to hedge their bets, the hard rock-inspired Van Weezer followed.

Footnote: Weezer has been associated with emo bands due to emo bands on tour with them during the height of their career, as well as selected song tracks, although this link is weak. The band has crossed several genres but for purposes of simplicity Diskery has grouped them with emo.

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