2008 Woodie Awards
Weezer proves a new album isn't always a bad album
Matt Dear
Issue date: 11/14/05 Section: Entertainment
What has happened to Weezer? After years of inactivity between albums, Weezer has produced three fabulous albums in four years. Then they come to town and put on a truly extraordinary show.
Operating between the opener Hot Hot Heat and Foo Fighters, Weezer should have had top billing at the Oakland Arena on Oct. 28. After years of horribly crappy shows and refusing to play fan favorites, Weezer reversed themselves.
Touring behind "Make Believe," a much better album than "Pinkerton"-era fans will give it credit for, Weezer opened the show with the very first song off their very first album "My Name Is Jonas." And from there, the band blazed through the best songs from all their albums. You name it, they played it; even playing five cuts from "Pinkerton" to the delight of true Weezer fans.
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Rivers Cuomo commanded the stage, despite his little size and unassuming appearance. He even let the other members of the band sing a song each and let drummer Patrick Wilson take over guitar duties while singing "Photograph."
The band seemed to be enjoying themselves through the whole set. They played loud, sang with passion while letting loose and giving the fans the songs they wanted.
The highlight came during the final encore. As the band was tearing through "Buddy Holly," behind them six men dressed in janitor uniforms walked up on a platform behind the band. As the song played, the men stripped off their clothes down to a thong and only a letter on each chest, spelling out "Weezer."
One by one, each member of Weezer turned around and noticed what the cheering was for. It caught them off guard, they loved it and so did the women in the audience. As Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters explained during his set, the strippers were his idea since it was the final show of the tour.
Openers Hot Hot Heat were beyond unimpressive. They showed no energy and played songs that had no substance.
Headlining, the majority of people came to see Foo Fighters. No one questions the talent of Dave Grohl but the majority of the Foo Fighter set consisted of Grohl screaming. They certainly are a rock band and can write impressive lyrics, though the screaming detracts from their sets.
Weezer was the true headliner. It was their show from the moment they walked out on stage. Weezer is in peak form and are certainly not afraid to show-off.
Operating between the opener Hot Hot Heat and Foo Fighters, Weezer should have had top billing at the Oakland Arena on Oct. 28. After years of horribly crappy shows and refusing to play fan favorites, Weezer reversed themselves.
Touring behind "Make Believe," a much better album than "Pinkerton"-era fans will give it credit for, Weezer opened the show with the very first song off their very first album "My Name Is Jonas." And from there, the band blazed through the best songs from all their albums. You name it, they played it; even playing five cuts from "Pinkerton" to the delight of true Weezer fans.
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Rivers Cuomo commanded the stage, despite his little size and unassuming appearance. He even let the other members of the band sing a song each and let drummer Patrick Wilson take over guitar duties while singing "Photograph."
The band seemed to be enjoying themselves through the whole set. They played loud, sang with passion while letting loose and giving the fans the songs they wanted.
The highlight came during the final encore. As the band was tearing through "Buddy Holly," behind them six men dressed in janitor uniforms walked up on a platform behind the band. As the song played, the men stripped off their clothes down to a thong and only a letter on each chest, spelling out "Weezer."
One by one, each member of Weezer turned around and noticed what the cheering was for. It caught them off guard, they loved it and so did the women in the audience. As Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters explained during his set, the strippers were his idea since it was the final show of the tour.
Openers Hot Hot Heat were beyond unimpressive. They showed no energy and played songs that had no substance.
Headlining, the majority of people came to see Foo Fighters. No one questions the talent of Dave Grohl but the majority of the Foo Fighter set consisted of Grohl screaming. They certainly are a rock band and can write impressive lyrics, though the screaming detracts from their sets.
Weezer was the true headliner. It was their show from the moment they walked out on stage. Weezer is in peak form and are certainly not afraid to show-off.