Weezer are one of the few bands from the 1990s still around I can think of that still have that edge over many new bands that are hot for a sec then cold, and seeing them live proves it yet again. The last time I saw them live was the first time. I won tickets off a radio station to see a young and unpolished Weezer at the small Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey in 1994 right after their debut album Weezer was released and just before they broke big time. Being one of only 200 people seeing them at the equally small P.C. Richard & Son Theater in Tribeca brought back a lot of memories, and it was interesting to see how Weezer had changed since, now with 15 years of Rock N Roll experience under their belt.
Though their set was only 40 minutes, recorded for the website iheartradio.com, Rivers Cuomo and the gang showed that they not only still have it but that they’ve mastered it. Rivers started things off solo with a string section and a drummer covering Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida,†exaggerated hand gestures and all. Then the rest of the band came on stage all dressed in matching track suits to kick things into full gear. Starting things off with a song from their new album Raditude, they went right into “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” which seemed to fit into their catalogue of hits just fine. The short set saw the band play “Say it Ain’t So†and “Buddy Holly†off their first album Weezer, “Why Bother?†off Pinkerton and “I’m Your Daddy†off Raditude. Probably the best part of the show was watching Rivers run around on stage during each song mixing rock poses and dancing around like an awkward nerd. It’s that kind of energy which has probably helped make their music last. That and the ability to write great songs built to last.
To see the performance, go to iheartradio.com HERE
DaVe Lipp
