Say It Ain’t Weezer!
There was a time I would have ran to the record shop to pick up a new Weezer album the day it came out. But that all ended, for me, after the Green Album, the last Weezer album that mattered (and it clearly mattered less than the first two). Still, sometimes I wish I could have the old Weezer back: Smart pop hooks, gorgeous guitar solos, adorable crush-on-a-girl lyrics…it’s probably the one band that my generation can agree on, and the one band that, no matter who is in the car with you, everyone will sing along to.
So, what if we could have Weezer back? The old Weezer. Without even cloning them or using expensive CG technology? What if we could build them stronger and smarter than ever?! More dorky, more obsessed with ’50s nerd culture!
That may be asking too much, but I’m still pretty excited that Portland has its own Weezer cover band, Say It Ain’t Weezer, who write: “We are Portland’s best (and only as far as we know only) Weezer tribute band. We play an hour long run through the entire Weezer catalog and come packaged with a legit 8 foot by 6 foot flying lit up ==W== sign, costumes, and authentic harmonies, etc.”
Pre-light-up sign video clip:
Okay. It’s not perfect. Rivers (played by Matthew Masini) is still working on his Rivers (the look is coming along a bit faster than his vocals, which sound a tad too husky). They went with a guy that looks like Scott Shriner instead of original bassist Matt Sharp. But the Brian Bell guy (Joe Ebner) and the Pat Wilson guy (”M@ttie”) are holding up their end of the bargain.
We could nitpick here, fellow Weezer fans, but I think we need to offer encouragement instead. The clip is from four months ago and I see potential here. Should this band continue, we might just be able to keep our own little unchanging Weezer, one we can see whenever we want to relive teenage air guitar sessions and work out issues left over from high school.
The most promising thing about this young Portland tribute band is that they’ve written off Make Believe entirely (writing “Hmmm…why bother? We didn’t” on their website) and focus on the band’s earlier works: Like 80% of the first two albums’ songs are in Say It Ain’t Weezer’s catalogue. And of course they do “Jamie” from DGC Rarities Volume 1. And some new stuff, but y’know, they have to do stuff off the Red Album for a while. I’m sure it’ll turn out to be a phase. There are about 30 Weezer songs that the band should stick to for all eternity, and I think if you show up in droves at Say It Ain’t Weezer’s show on June 21 and boo all the new songs, you might be able to make them stick to those classics.
Yup. Just spent like 500 words on a Weezer cover band. I can think of no worthier cause…
Links:
Say It Ain’t Weezer
Photo: “If you just squint your eyes…” from the band’s website
Ben Meyercord
says:This makes me smile. Nice.
Posted @ June 6th, 2008 at 2:40 pm (June 6th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkNick
says:“So does Make Believe completely ruin not just present-day Weezer, but retroactively, any enjoyment to be had from their earlier work? I don’t know– I’m too scared to re-listen to those first two albums– but it certainly appears that Make Believe will expertly extract the last remaining good graces the critical community has to offer latter-day Weezer, unless my colleagues’ memories of slow-dancing with Ashley to “Say It Ain’t So” are more powerful than I can possibly imagine. Of course, if Ashley went on to break your heart, fellow critic, Make Believe might be just the medicine you need; put it on repeat and watch your emotional scar be obliterated as collateral damage in the torpedoing of Weezer’s legacy.”
Posted @ June 6th, 2008 at 2:40 pm (June 6th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkArby
says:I would completely get drunk and watch this happen on stage. Definitely hope they can get the sound a little tighter but it’s nice to know this is out there.
Oddly enough, I wouldn’t go to a weezer show under any condition.
Posted @ June 6th, 2008 at 3:27 pm (June 6th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinktravis
says:this band is awesome!
Posted @ June 6th, 2008 at 5:22 pm (June 6th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkits kind of disturbing to hold up the red album cover next to the blue album cover. you should try it!
CASEY JARMAN
(post author) says:Nick, where is that review from? I kinda want to read the whole thing. Also, I checked out your blog and I like it and I really miss the Minders, too. We all do.
Posted @ June 6th, 2008 at 6:11 pm (June 6th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkCASEY JARMAN
(post author) says:scratch that, found the pitchfork review via google. wow. 0.4. i’ve never seen that before. wow.
Posted @ June 6th, 2008 at 6:12 pm (June 6th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkNILINA MASON-CAMPBELL
says:My favorite Weezer tribute band is Blue Album, who only play the blue album (start to finish), but I am SO checking this one out
Posted @ June 6th, 2008 at 8:56 pm (June 6th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkjason
says:I saw Weezer at the Aladdin right after they came out of their “hiatus” and it was awesome. Saw them again at the Memorial Coliseum (ugh) after the Green Album came out, and it totally sucked. These guys look like they have it nailed!
Posted @ June 7th, 2008 at 11:55 am (June 6th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkNick
says:thanks casey.
Posted @ June 7th, 2008 at 1:09 pm (June 6th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkJay Horton
says:“Freak Me Out” isn’t a bad song.
Posted @ June 8th, 2008 at 9:22 am (June 6th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkJoe (Brian Bell)
says:Holy crap! We’re in the Willamette Week. Come out this weekend (at Berbati’s) and back in the POP RAWK!!!!!!!!!!
woot!
Posted @ June 16th, 2008 at 10:02 am (June 6th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkSasstastic
says:I can tell you now these boys have it. I have seen Weezer more times then should be allowed and these boys can bring it like Weezer did when Matt Sharp was still in the band (which is no small task). Anyone who has spent anywhere near the amount of time I have listening to the blue album and Pinkerton will adore this show. Its great to grab a few drinks and sing-a-long at the top of your lungs!!!
Posted @ June 16th, 2008 at 10:06 am (June 6th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkGreg
says:Say it Ain’t Weezer? More like, Say it Ain’t AWESOME!
Posted @ June 16th, 2008 at 10:47 am (June 6th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkBrigit the Midget
says:My friend in college believed that any band worth listening to should have your head bopping within the first few chords (Pinkerton continues to be his favorite album). I’ve seen Say It Ain’t Weezer, and my neck is still recovering. Very fun stuff.
Posted @ June 20th, 2008 at 11:41 am (June 6th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkSay It Aint So: See Weezer For $10-- local Cut
says:[...] But hurry up! It’s a one day sale only! When the real Weezer charge as much per ticket as the Weezer cover band, well, you know the economy is in just a bit of trouble. 34 days left, folks. The full press [...]
Posted @ October 1st, 2008 at 9:04 am (June 6th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalink