Questions
When did Weezer form and who started the band?
Weezer formed in Los Angeles on February 15, 1992, with Rivers Cuomo on lead vocals and guitar, Patrick Wilson on drums, Matt Sharp on bass, and Jason Cropper on guitar. They played their first show on March 19, 1992.
Where does the name Weezer come from?
It comes from a nickname Rivers Cuomo’s father gave him, based on a character called Wheezer from the classic Our Gang short films.
Who is in the band now?
The lineup has been Rivers Cuomo (lead vocals, guitar), Patrick Wilson (drums), Brian Bell (guitar), and Scott Shriner (bass) since 2001.
What was their big breakthrough?
Their self-titled 1994 debut, known as the Blue Album, became a multi-platinum success on the strength of its music videos for Undone (The Sweater Song), Buddy Holly, and Say It Ain’t So.
What is the story behind the Buddy Holly video?
Directed by Spike Jonze, the video spliced the band into footage from the sitcom Happy Days. It won four MTV Video Music Awards and the song appears on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs.
Why do fans love Pinkerton so much?
Released September 24, 1996, the darker album initially sold poorly and got mixed reviews, but it later gained cult status, influenced many emo bands, and reached platinum certification in 2016.
What are their biggest chart hits?
Beverly Hills (2005) was their first Modern Rock number one and first Hot 100 top ten, Pork and Beans topped the Modern Rock chart for 11 weeks, and their 2018 cover of Africa hit number one on Alternative Songs.
Did the band ever take a break?
After the Pinkerton tour ended in mid-1997 the band went on hiatus, and Matt Sharp left in 1998 over differences with his bandmates. They reunited in April 2000 for the Fuji Rock Festival.
How did Brian Bell join the band?
Brian Bell replaced Jason Cropper on guitar during the recording of the Blue Album and has been with the group ever since.
What happened to former bassist Mikey Welsh?
Mikey Welsh joined in 1998 but left in 2001 after a mental health crisis, and he reportedly died on October 8, 2011, in Chicago from a suspected heroin overdose.
Have they won any Grammys?
The Pork and Beans music video won a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video, and the band earned Best Rock Song nominations for Beverly Hills (2006) and All My Favorite Songs (2022).
How many records has Weezer sold?
Weezer has sold about 10 million albums in the U.S. and over 35 million worldwide, with the Blue Album certified quadruple platinum in both the U.S. and Canada.
What is the SZNZ project?
In 2022 the band released SZNZ, a set of four mini-albums each representing one of the four seasons.
What have they been up to recently?
Their 2024 Voyage to the Blue Planet tour celebrated the Blue Album’s 30th anniversary, and their twentieth album, the Gold Album, is scheduled for 2026.
