R&R article - August 19, 1994

Print interview with Rivers Cuomo
Publication	R&R
Published	August 19, 1994
Interviewer	???[who?]
Interviewee	Rivers Cuomo
Title	New Music Scene
Format	Print
External link	Archived via World Radio History
References	See where this article is referenced on Weezerpedia

New Music Scene Author: ???[who?] (R&R) Published: August 19, 1994 Essentials After spending almost two years as an unsigned fixture on the Los Angeles club circuit, Weezer released its eponymous debut LP on DGC three months ago. Founding member Rivers Cuomo (vocals, guitar) - dubbed "Weezer" by his dad - fled rural Connecticut at the age of 18, and moved to L.A. to "become a rock star." Cuomo's only aspiration was to play guitar, until depression over a failed relationship inspired him to begin songwriting. He formed a quartet: Brian Bell (guitar, vocals) from Tennessee, Matt Sharp (bass, vocals) from DC, and Patrick Wilson (drums) from New York. Song topics run the gamut from hedonism ("Surf Wax, USA"), beer ("Say It Ain't So"), relationships ("No One Else" and "The World Has Turned"), and depression ("Undone - The Sweater Song"). Influences range from Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney to '80s heavy metal. Former Cars frontman Ric Ocasek produced the album. Artist POV Cuomo says, "We wanted a producer that wasn't Mr. Slick. "He [Ocasek] produced Bad Brains and Romeo Void and can write a damn good pop song. We didn't think of him as a producer, but more like a backup if we got stuck. He was a fun guy to hang out with. "I write songs about things that bother me, it helps get it off my chest. For our next record, every song is going to be about a girl. These days all I'm concerned about is what's happening be-tween me and a girl. It won't be a concept record; it's realistic." Label POV "Quirky, college, retro, fun/funny, goofy, wacky, pop/punk - oh wait, those are the words the band has strictly forbidden from being used in describing them," notes Geffen/DGC Manager/Alternative Promotion Rochelle Fox. "Well, then why do they all seem to fit so well? Sorry, guys."