Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
The Daily Lobo The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
Latest Issue
Read our print edition on Issuu

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Weezer still appeals to geek masses

Weezer drove fans batty in Albuquerque May 10 to pump up Maladroit, the band's new bungling album.

Rivers Cuomo — the Weezer mastermind — gives props to his early glam-rock influences on Maladroit. He does it Weezer style, though. "Take Control," for example, starts with an 80s crunchy, muted guitar riff reminiscent of Kiss, Cuomo's favorite band in high school. The appeal of Weezer is their ability to surprise you after a crunchy lick by smoothly shifting into a way-too-catchy chorus. "Dope Nose," the album's first single, does this with silly lyrics and cool rock-and-roll that sticks in your head like jelly.

Due to these likeable combinations radio stations and MTV will probably super-saturate everyone with "Dope Nose" and other forthcoming releases. Funny, mostly weird lyrics, on the album will further propel the band's image as a geeky group — as did predecessors "Undone-the Sweater song," "Buddy Holly" and "El Scorcho."

However, the musicianship in the songs continues to draw fans and keep Weezer on top.

Cuomo's nervous, quick guitar riffs complete the sentences of his lyrics. Supported by Brian Bell's guitar and pushed by drummer Patrick Wilson's snappy beats, they make you sing along and stomp your feet. But the great thing about Weezer is how they write from the heart, even if the lyrics seem absurd.

After the Albuquerque show, UNM student Giovanna Urbina said the same thing about Weezer's stage performance.

Enjoy what you're reading?
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Subscribe

"I love how much they put into it," Urbina said. "They feel it."

The crowd also felt the music. After pleading with the stage crew for 30 minutes to let their geek-gods play, about 3,500 fans swarmed and packed to the front as the band strolled on stage in Downtown's Convention Center. Cuomo said, "Welcome to Albuquerque," and the fans screamed and surfed to favorites from all four albums, not stopping until securing an enchanting encore featuring "Only In Dreams," from the band's first album, Weezer.

"It brought tears to my eyes," said recent UNM graduate Westin Glass.

On stage, Cuomo and crew weren't the liveliest live act. Bassist Scott Shriner jumped around a bit, but the rest stayed in a strict circle, dancing geekily. But their expressions and serious approach to rock revealed that they feel the music, and genuinely enjoy playing their songs.

Weezer connects with people, on stage and on record.

UNM student Matt Starr agrees, "I guess I like them 'cause I'm a geek at heart, and they play geek rock."

When they come back to 'Burque, go "enjoy the show."

Comments
Powered by SNworks Solutions by The State News
All Content © 2025 The Daily Lobo