Homie: Difference between revisions

The Homie project began during Weezer's hiatus after the release of [[Pinkerton]].  Cuomo tried out several musicians, including Weezer's second bass player, [[Mikey Welsh]] before settling on a final lineup.

The song "[[Wanda (You're My Only Love) | Wanda]]", although originally written as a Weezer song for the movie Angus, is considered to be a Homie song since it was played during the Homie shows. The song "Wanda" was later released on [[Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo]], as "[[Wanda (You're My Only Love)]]".

According to Cuomo's blog, master tapes of recording sessions made during the Homie-era exist, but are largely unfinished, with only drum tracks put down. Bootlegs of their live shows have been available online since 1997 and played a small role in Weezer's resurgence following their second album, ''[[Pinkerton]]''.

After the somewhat disappointing success of 1996's ''[[Pinkerton]]'', the members of Weezer each separated to pursue their own projects.  Rivers dropped out of Harvard and moved to Boston to be closer to his family.  Upon his arrival, he recorded the demo tape of what would become the Homie album.

These songs are exclusively done by Rivers.  "American Girls" was a fast paced rock number. Rosemary was a ballad that slowly built up in dynamics.  Autumn in Jayne is a self-described "country song".  "Hey M'Darlin'" and "I'll Think About You" are both old demos from before [[Weezer]]'s formation that Rivers never used with Weezer.  It is uncertain exactly what about the songs has been reworked in these versions.  Finally, "Longtime Sunshine" was a reworking of the old fallen ''[[Songs from the Black Hole]]'' track.  It is uncertain exactly what is different about it.  Karl has said in an email exchange, "I don't remember anything in particular...but it was probably given the 'Homie treatment.'"

In late 1997 and early 1998, Rivers played five solo shows in Boston clubs.  Three of these shows were "Weezer Tryouts", two of these shows were "Homie Tryouts".  Karl has said, "According to various conversations with Rivers at the time, the new material showcased at these shows was both "in consideration for new Weezer songs " and, paradoxically also "goofy country songs that are not Weezer" (i.e the Rivers-fronted project band, Homie). While songs from both "bands" (Weezer and Homie) seem to be mixed into all 5 shows."

Following the live performances of the Homie material, a Rehearsal tape was recorded.  It is uncertain as to who played what.

In December of 1997 and January of 1998, Rivers Cuomo entered the studio with "Fred" (from the Gigolo Aunts) on drums and "Drew" (from the Tracy Bonham band) on bass and recorded a Homie album.  There is some debate as to what actually happened. According to Rivers in a 2006 Fan Interview, only the drums were tracked.  However, according to Karl, this was the actual Homie album, completely finished except for a final mix.  Karl writes, "He recorded an entire album's worth of Homie songs , I believe at Fort Apache in Boston. The song listing will be posted here "ASAP", as track sheets for the sessions have turned up. The tapes were never mixed down, however, so there is no listening copy available at this time. This session includes such "solo" show songs as "Hey M'Darlin'" , "Think About", and "Fun Time". According to Rivers, he considers the recording to be a completed album, and at the time he had hoped to someday release it as Homie."

Later, in an email exchange, Karl said "Unfortunately, I was never able to re-find those track sheets.  Actually, Rivers either hid them or lost them, and that was 6+ years ago now. And the tapes are either in Boston at a studio or are missing. "Shadows in the dark.." as Gandalf said..."

Around this time, Rivers recorded what would become the only released Homie song, "[[American Girls]]".  The song was recorded in Boston at a professional studio, but no one seems to remember where.  Karl wrote, "The older version of the song was a very up-tempo rocking song. When the [[Meet the Deedles Soundtrack|"deedles"]] version was released (on [[March 24]], [[1998]]), many were surprised to find that it was now a much slower song, smoothed out on the R-n-B / country tip with a pop feel appeal to it."

Like ''Songs from the Black Hole'', the Homie album is a holy grail for Weezer fans.  Weezer fans often debate which album should be finished or released.  Unlike ''The Black Hole'', many believe that the Homie album actually is finished and is sitting in the Weezer archives.  Of course, this claim is unverified.  Others simply hope for the Homie demos Rivers recorded.  Many fans joke about the album comparing it to Brian Wilson's ''SMiLE'', and say that "Rivers will probably finish it when he's older and his voice is shot."  In 2006, [[User:Ohjonas (admin)|ohjonas]] made cover art for the Homie album, parodying the "SMiLE" artwork. Unfortunately, the actual Homie album may never see the light of day.  Despite this, some Homie demos have been leaked or released, but none from the actual era.  "Wanda (You're My Only Love)",  and "Longtime Sunshine" were all released on ''[[Alone]]'', but in their original incarnations rather than in their Homie form.  Furthermore, "I'll Think About You" is scheduled to appear on ''[[Alone II]]'', but also in it's original form rather than it's Homie form.

It is most likely that all songs that were adapted to Homie were altered.  There are only two songs for which fans have original versions and Homie versions: "Hot Tub" and "Wanda (You're My Only Love)".  In both cases, the songs were given a more "goofball" sound.  In "Hot Tub", the entire bridge was rewritten.  In conclusion, even if the songs are heard, it is likely that almost half will not be heard in their Homie form.