Homie: Difference between revisions

==Beginnings==

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 consisting of songs that would become the Homie album.

These are home demos recorded in Boston by Rivers on his DA-88 machine.

# [[American Girls]]

These recordings were made exclusively 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 in exactly which ways the songs had been reworked for this demo.  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."

===Homie Show #1, 11/4/97 at The Middle East, Boston, MA===

# [[Hot Tub]]

The following is the second "Homie Tryout" show, which took place on [[November 21]], [[1997]].  In addition to Rivers, Kevin Stevenson of the Shods plays guitar.  A bootleg tape exists.

# [[No One Else]]

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

# [[Autumn in Jayne]]

# [[Think About You]]

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 possibly recorded a Homie album.  There is some debate as to what actually happened.

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, often debating which album should be finished or released.  Unlike ''SFTBH'', many believe that the Homie album is actually finished and sitting in the Weezer archives.  Of course, this claim is unverified.  Others simply hope for the Homie demos Rivers recorded to be released.  Many fans joke about the album comparing it to Brian Wilson's legendary ''SMiLE'' project, and say that "Rivers will probably finish it when he's older and his voice is shot."  In 2006, [[User:Ohjonas (admin)|ohjonas]] went so far as to make cover art for the Homie album, parodying the "SMiLE" artwork.  Since then, Homie has often been spelled "HOMiE".

==See also==

* [[Rivers Cuomo]]

[[Category: Weezer-related bands]]

[[Category: Rivers Cuomo]]

[[Category:Unfinished/unreleased Weezer projects]]