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#guitarist finn
in-delicious-sin · 5 months
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and the skeletons in both our closets plotted hard to fuck this up 🌾
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cinematicct · 2 years
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School of Rock (2003)
🏫🎸
This comedy film stars Jack Black as Dewey Finn, a struggling guitarist who is kicked out of his band and, in desperate need of money, poses as a substitute teacher, where he turns a group of fourth-graders into a rock band.
The supporting cast includes: Joan Cusack as the principal Rosalie “Ros” Mullins, Mike White (who also wrote the screenplay) as former rock star and Dewey’s roommate Ned Schneebly, Sarah Silverman as Ned’s girlfriend Patty Di Marco and 8-year-old Miranda Cosgrove in her feature film debut as Summer Hathaway.
Jack Black’s boundless energy is both amusing and equivalent to Dewey’s intense taste in rock music. Joan Cusack appears uptight and disciplined, but through her character’s association with Dewey, she eventually reveals her love of rock music. Sarah Silverman’s sharp-tongued sense of humor fits perfectly into the pushy, aggressive girlfriend of Dewey’s best friend. Miranda Cosgrove (known for her performance in Nickelodeon’s iCarly and subsequent revival) is quite the precious scene-stealer as factotum and band manager.
The movie contrasts the wild creativity of music with the routinely scholastic lessons of a prestigious prep school. Once Dewey was fired for his stage antics, he became a lazy slacker (as music is the only thing he really loves) and behaved incoherently during his first day in class. After noticing the musical talent of each student, he sees it as an opportunity to teach the kids everything he knows about rock ‘n’ roll and compete in the Battle of the Bands. In the process, he goes from a wannabe rock star to a confident instructor and performer. The kids in turn go from rewarded pupils to a team of enthusiastic musicians.
The film even demonstrates the basics of rock ‘n’ roll. Dewey’s band mates are 10-year-olds that are judged for their young ages and defying the rules of academic society. But Dewey manages to lift their spirits by convincing them music can help overcome feelings of self-doubt. He even once taught them to use rock music to persist in situations where they wouldn’t be taken seriously.
The soundtrack contains a collection of different styles of rock music and songs from a blend of various rock bands. The track list includes: “Sunshine of Your Love” by Cream, “Back In Black” by AC/DC, “Substitute” by The Who, “Roadrunner” by The Modern Lovers, “My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg)” by The Ramones, “The Wait” by Metallica, “Set You Free” by The Black Keys and “Moonage Daydream” by David Bowie. A cover version of “Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio” is also heard. A few references to certain rock songs are featured as well. Dewey briefly sings “Touch Me” by The Doors as he teaches the keyboard. Dewey sings along to Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” in one scene. Dewey plays “Edge of Seventeen” to persuade Ros Mullins (a Stevie Nicks fan) into arranging a field trip to the Battle of the Bands competition (by claiming he wants to take the kids to a concert for educational purposes). Dewey quotes “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” by AC/DC as part of an improvised speech to the class. Dewey and the kids sing their own version of “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)” during the end credits.
Finally, the main lesson of the story is even if some methods seem unrealistic, music is just as educational and fulfilling as academics. With all that said, I recommend this hilarious, feel-good movie to everybody.
LET’S ROCK!!🤘
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arctixout · 6 months
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here's an absolutely horrible meme i made some time ago for my fellow finnish jo fans
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and a translation for the non-finns so you can suffer too:
– How many bassists do you need to change the light bulb? One is enough but you also need a guitarist to show them how it's done:DD
– true
– THAT'S FUCKING IT
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splatoonreblogger · 2 months
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SplatoonNA:
Lucky color chips enhance elements of luck such as upping your chance of getting items. It also can increase the chance of a Lucky Bomb dropping from defeated enemies, which can cause large explosive chains when you have multiple Lucky color chips in your Palette.
EN video
SplatoonJP:
【Side Order】
秩序の世界の様子を記録した動画が届いたぞ。
「ラッキー」系統のチップは、アイテムが出る確率など、運の要素を強化する。
特に、テキがたまに落とす「ラッキーボム」はカラーチップを重ねることで爆発の連鎖を生み、絶大な威力を発揮する。
幸運を引き寄せて秩序の塔を制覇しよう。
SplatoonNA:
Hot on the indie scene, Riot Act is making a lot of noise! The new side project of popular guitarist, Kiki from C-Side, is rocking the Splatlands. Their striking melodies add a capricious air to the deep and edgy guitar riffs Kiki is known for!
SplatoonJP:
インディーズから突然頭角を現したバンド、O.C.K(オーシケ)。
バンカラを代表するC-Sideのギタリスト、キクラが立ち上げた別プロジェクトだ。
重厚かつエッジーなギターはそのままに、気まぐれともいえるほど目まぐるしく展開する曲調は鮮烈。
バトルに新たな色を添えることうけあいだ。
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SplatoonNA:
No Plan Survives is Riot Act's new song feat. violinist Finn Feeder. "We wanted to play as freely as possible," said the band, and while both artists brought their own unique styles, they somehow came together harmoniously in this new track!
(no English titled YouTube video)
SplatoonJP:
バイオリニストのフィン・ボトムをゲストに迎えた「No Plan Survives」では、いくつものメロディーが交錯する。
「とにかく自由にやりたくて」と語る彼らのアンサンブルは、一見いきあたりばったりなようで、実はお互いのプレイを隅々まで把握しているようだ。
youtube
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hotcat37 · 2 months
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13 for BoJere, AU or canon, your pick :) 💘
no dialogue in this one :0
13: discreetly
Keeping their relationship a secret from the public isn't too difficult. Before getting together they were doing some questionable things anyways, so Bojan knows the fans wouldn't bat an eye if Jere spontaneously hugs him from behind or if he pecks the Finn on his cheek. Kissing on the lips however is a line they haven't crossed on stage.
Bojan fears that if he were to get lost in the moment, in the adrenaline and music, he'd kiss Jere passionately in front of the whole crowd.
It's not that he's embarrassed of being with Jere, not at all. And Bojan knows that most people in their respective fanbases would be totally fine with it. It's bound to get out at some point that they've finally gotten together. But Bojan would like to enjoy the secrecy and privacy of their already well documented relationship for just a little longer. The often absurdly long analysis posts based on 5 second clips of them together are also too funny for the Slovene to let go of so soon.
But in the rainbow lights of the staging, Jere looks as gorgeous as he did the first time Bojan saw him. Like a moth drawn to a flame. He's a helpless victim to Jere's beauty and undeniable charm. And who is Bojan to deny both him and his lover the contact they crave?
Jere's eyes find his as he sings the song that brought them together. They spark something playful and loving and Bojan just can't keep his hands and his lips to himself anymore.
So he subtly elbows Kris until the guitarist turns to him with raised eyebrows. Cover for me, he mouthes to his friend. Kris rolls his eyes but does nod. It's both hysterical and kind of sweet how his bandmate immediately seems to understand what Bojan wants even with the vagueness of the request. The brunette moves steadily towards Jere, returning the smirk the Finn offers when he notices him approaching.
The second Jere has sung his last line before the crowd chants Cha Cha Cha, Bojan is on him immediately. Kris discreetly jumps around to the music in front of the couple, making it extra hard to tell what they're doing under the flashing lights.
Bojan puts a hand on Jere's shoulder and leans in to kiss him, his lover already meeting him halfway, a gentle pressure against his lips. The Slovene kisses his darling just long enough for Jere to almost miss the rest of the song. But he manages to belt out the lines just in time, getting back into the music as if nothing happened. But the private smile the Finn shoots him in the midst of all the jumping and chaos lets Bojan know just how much the older man appreciated the kiss.
Now to hope that no one filmed the right angle to see their discreet act.
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black-arcana · 11 months
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A beginner’s guide to symphonic metal in 5 albums
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Few genres do grandiose like symphonic metal. As the name suggests, it marries the scope and ambition of classical music to the power of metal. The result is orchestral, opulent and sometimes OTT, but it’s a hard heart that is completely resistant to it.
The seeds of the sound were sown in the 80s, when diverse trailblazers such as Celtic Frost and Savatage began incorporating orchestral instruments into their music. But it began to accelerate in the late 1990s, with bands such as Therion, Nightwish, Within Temptation and cult favourites Haggard began to properly fuse the two genres.
Today, symphonic metal has become an unlikely commercial force. Nightwish and Within Temptation are festival headliners, while a constant stream of newer bands have emerged in their wake. For anyone who is new to this grandest of genres, these are the five albums to start with.   
Therion – Secret Of The Runes (2001)
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Therion remain the original and – the purists would have you believe – the best of all the symphonic metal acts. Named in honour of Celtic Frost’s second album To Mega Therion, the Swedes have been led by multi-instrumentalist Christofer Johnsson since 1987. While others have prospered by ‘sexing-up’ the genre’s principles, the Therion experience remains a pure one – sackcloth and ashes, almost. Take our word, it’s a beautiful thing.
After Forever – Decipher (2001)
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The second album from this pioneering and much-missed Dutch outfit, who ran from 1995 to 2009, Decipher employed live classical instruments and a full choir to complement the stirring soprano delivery of Floor Jansen (now, of course, with Nightwish). Soon afterwards Mark Jansen quit, taking his growled co-vocals along to the guitarist’s next band of note, Epica. The album’s grandiose arrangements still sound masterful today.
Within Temptation – The Silent Force (2004)
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Although you’re likely to be distracted by the captivating strength of Sharon den Adel’s upfront vocal dynamism, Within Temptation’s symphonic aspirations reached their most querulously romantic apex on this goosebump-inducing masterwork of the form. Although the guitars were louder and crunchier than on 2000’s Mother Earth, and the open- hearted pop savvy was at full widescreen pelt, this 2004 follow-up confirmed the band’s special affinity for wizardly orchestral bombast, here performed by the Ego Works Session Orchestra, under the noted Russian conductor Felix Korobov.
Epica – The Quantum Enigma (2014)
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Formed by former After Forever guitarist Mark Jansen, Epica played a crucial part in the development of symphonic metal via a string of consistently impressive releases, but with The Quantum Enigma – their sixth studio record – the Dutch band raised the bar to a whole different level, hiring a live chamber choir and a string orchestra to enhance a collection of tunes that is uniformly strong. Throw in the soaring vocals of flame-haired mezzo-soprano  Simone Simons and the results are seismic.
Nightwish – Endless Forms Most Beautiful (2015)
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You could pick anything from 2000’s Wishmaster onwards, but the Finns’ first album with Floor Jansen represents Peak Nightwish in terms of a grandiosity. A high-concept exploration of evolutionary science, featuring narration from scientist Richard Dawkins, it’s an absolute triumph. From the full-pelt throttle of Shudder Before The Beautiful and cinematic bombast of Weak Fantasy to the  life affirming anthemia of Alpenglow, it’s a constant stream of brilliance. Then there’s The Greatest Show On Earth, a 25-minute show-stopper most bands could only dream of writing. It’s no surprise this was the record that turned Nightwish into festival and arena headliners.
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chibireylo · 4 months
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Photograph
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~~Ben remembered how Rey’s eyes filled with tears moments after Finn took their picture. The First Order Records wanted him to be the lead guitarist for The Knights of Ren.
“Go,” she whispered. “You can’t miss this opportunity because of me.”
Her words still haunt him years later.
Ben looks at the photograph before every performance. His heart felt empty as the love of his life gave up their relationship so he could live his dream.
Anger flowed through his veins at how easily she came to her decision. He would take his rage and perform flawlessly.
Until tonight when Ben found her just off-center in the front row. Time stopped, he forgot how to breathe, and he momentarily fucked up his guitar solo.~~
Just a little something from a fic I am working on
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flowerbloom-arts · 6 months
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Hey what are you singing and instrument headcanons. I headcanon that Snufkin, his family, and all the moomins are terrible at singing and Sniff, snorkmaiden, muddler, and the botanist hemulen are really good at it, but what do you think?
My Musical brain that listens to songs all the time keeps imagining any character being able to sing that song, so in those terms I imagine anyone can sing 😅
But like, besides that, we have;
Actual canon:
Snufkin: harmonica/mouth-organ (books, 90s series, MV2019), flute (Who Will Comfort Toffle?), accordion (comics, one Tove illustration), guitar (Shin Moomin).
Sniff: Accordion (Moomins on the Riviera movie)
Snorkmaiden: piano (Shin Moomin)
Snork: violin (Shin Moomin)
Mr. Hemulen: french horn (Shin Moomin)
The Skier Hemulen: french horn or bugle horn, not too clear (Moominland Midwinter and subsequent adaptations of it)
Mr. Brisk: Trumpet (Moominvalley 2019)
Salome: accordion (Who Will Comfort Toffle?)
Too-Ticky: barrel organ (Moominland Midwinter and most adaptations)
The Lighthouse Keeper: Accordion (Moominvalley 2019)
Little My (Moominsummer Madness, Moominvalley 2019), Snufkin (Comet in Moominland, Finn Family Moomintroll) and Mr. Brisk (comics) have sung songs/jingles, although how good their singing abilities are is up to interpretation.
Moominpappa has tried singing but he's extremely bad at it according to 1969 and 90s Moomin, and Moominmamma sung a lullaby in Comet in Moominland but her actual musical abilities are also up to interpretation.
The Groke also sings in Moominpappa at Sea.
Moominpappa is terrible at playing the banjo (comics).
Dubious canon:
There's this one drawing where Moominpappa played the violin and the whole family was enjoying it, it's very close to the 90s style but I've no idea what the origin of this is so...
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Mumintrollet (1969) has a musical number sung by most of the characters for each of the 13 episodes but due to the nature of musical numbers it's difficult to tell if their singing abilities are diagetic or not.
There is also the Moomin Voices album originally written by Tove that are written/sung from the perspective of the characters they're meant for but how well they'd sing them is unknown.
In the Moomin Park, Fuzzy and Too-Ticky play the ukulele and most of the characters sing songs, there's even musical stage shows, but the canon is dubious because they're just actors playing the characters instead of the actual characters themselves.
Mere headcanon:
I like to think Mrs. Fillyjonk played the harp when she was younger and her eldest child plays the violin.
The banjo Moominpappa had originally belonged to Wimsy and he was fairly decent at it.
Muddler and Fuddler like playing percussion, particularly drums or even diy drums. I'm also going to carry over some of the park details and say Fuzzy plays the ukulele. All of them can actually sing (Sniff is meh at it, though.)
Joxter is a self-taught guitarist, his skill level is up to your imagination.
Mymblemamma and Mymble Jr make up for their lack of singing skill by doing it all cheerfully.
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bioexorcizm · 4 months
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drabblecember day #21 - a walk down memory lane
ship: dewmav
word count: 1097
summary: dewey and maverick reminisce.
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“‘Member when we met?”
“Course I do.”
The bar is loud, crowded, but clearing out quickly after the show. Dewey shoves his guitar into the back of the van, playing his own roadie as he fits everything with pedantic precision into its place, drumkit, bass, shit he was sure the band hadn't even used in five years, all loaded up and raring to go.
Go home, that is. He sighs, leaning against the doors as he slams them shut, closes his eyes, imagines a future where people are begging, pleading to be able to shove all this shit back into the tour bus for him, “Sign my guitar! Sign me!” and a crowd cheering his name as he walks off stage…
But when he opens his eyes to the back of an empty lot of a dive bar, his smile becomes longing. Everyone else had already hiked it out, either with their one-night stand, or just so they wouldn't have to assist him, he figures.
A drink would be more help than them, anyways.
He trudges back into the bar, pulling the hoodie he'd changed into closer to his shoulders. He walks the clear path to the counter, and slides onto one of the peeling leather stools; He turns his head towards one of the mounted TVs, a replay of some college football game that he couldn't care less about being still the most interesting thing in the room.
A voice draws his attention. It's smooth, calm, even over the ambient chatter and blown out jukebox speakers, quiet somehow above it all. That's the first thing he notices, and not them asking him if “Hey, you're the guitarist that played tonight, right?”
When he turns his head, then it's their eyes. The way their makeup emphasizes them, dark eyeliner making the pale green pop, jet black hair and vibrant ombré mesmerizing him for the moment before they speak again.
“You looked pretty cute on stage, earlier.”
“Uhh…” he trails off, pauses, blinks slowly. He tries very hard not to notice the tight leather and lace that hugs the bartender's skin so tight, surely they weren't talking to him? He realizes then he has to say something, anything -- No way they were talking to him, right? His brain’s a scrambled mess of panic and awe as he dumbfoundedly stares back at them, and what a sight he probably was, mouth slightly agape as whoever they were began to worry. Just ask them if they liked the show! Ask them if they really noticed you! Literally anything!
One thought in his head screams out over the other clutter, "For fuck’s sake, Finn, answer them!"
His words come out in a jumbled mess, some mangled combination of every question he actually wanted to ask, but before he could stop it he was already speaking:
“Do you like me?”
Well that's not what he meant to say. Holy shit, you dumbass.
They tilt their head, unsure if they'd heard him right. Probably not over the crowd.
“What?” they ask with a laugh.
“Did you like the show?” Dewey quickly corrects his tongue-tied thoughts, and confidently raises his voice to beat the noise.
“Oh! Yeah, I did.”
Dewey tries to hide his chuckle in a cough, playing it cool as he crosses his arms and leans into the bartop. He looks them over again, and as his eyes meet their gaze he realizes their stare -- it's a hard kind of stare, analyzing him, squinting in contemplation.
“I know you!” they finally relent, pointing towards him with the hand they weren't leaning on across from him, “You work at the record shop down on Barrett, don't you?”
He nods, “Just a dayjob. I prefer this to that any day.”
“Playing a show? Or chatting up the wait staff after?”
“Well, if they were all as hot as you, I guess it'd be hard to say.”
They share a laugh, and Dewey takes in the way they toss their hair gently over their shoulder, eyes flicking up towards him after.
“But...I did mean playing. Nothing beats it.”
“Well, you look good doing it, too.”
They crack open a drink behind the bar, and pass it over, “On me, for putting on such a great show.”
Dewey grins, lingering his hand over theirs on the bottle before pulling it towards himself, “Do I get a name to go along with that pretty face?”
“Maverick.”
“Maverick…Different. I like that.”
“And what can I call you, Rockstar?”
“Dewey.”
“Mm, fits you, I think.”
He takes a sip from his beer, watching carefully as they wipe down the metal countertop. In a rushed urge to keep the conversation going, he clears his throat. Maverick beats him to it.
“What happened to the rest of the band?”
“Probably all headed home…Or, out.”
“Left you behind, huh?”
“Nah, I mean -- you know how it is. Play a show, go home with a groupie…”
“And leave you behind to clean up the mess. I get the feeling.”
Dewey takes a glance around the bar, and notices the distinct lack of servers. Maybe they weren't so different. There was something comforting about the idea.
“I’d, uh, ask if you come here often, but I think I know the answer already.”
Maverick giggles, tossing the towel they hold over their (bare, as Dewey was very much aware of now) shoulder. 
“Too much, maybe.”
“I know a couple different gigs we can hit. Real lowkey places, maybe I can show you around sometime, if you like.”
“I’d like that,” Maverick grabs two small glasses next, pouring a shot for either of them.
“To a great show?”
“I’ve played better, but…” Dewey shrugs coolly, “Sure. What the hell.”
They both take the drink, both of them taking it in stride, despite the strong stinging flavor of the tequila.
“Can't do too many of those, or else my ass will never make it down the sidewalk.”
“No way you're walking home,” Dewey states matter-of-factly.
“I do every night.”
“Not today.”
“I’m off in thirty,” Maverick replies without hesitation, “If that's an offer.”
Dewey panics for a second, exhaling slowly to calm his anxiety. He feels the warmth of the alcohol dull his nerves well enough despite being clear-headed still, and he takes another drink to hide the way his lips curl into a smile. 
Well, that was certainly one way to get a pretty girl to agree to go home with you.
“I made you breakfast the next day, too.”
“Mhm,” Dewey presses a kiss to their forehead, “Think I fell in love with you right then.”
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arogustus · 12 days
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Splatband Analysis - Hightide Era
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So I was eating breakfast the other day when I found on the back of my milk carton this picture about a band being missing? Now, I think they’re exaggerating a bit on the “M.I.A.” thing. Sure, they haven’t been mentioned since Splatoon 2, where they got to cameo in the White Day artwork and are involved in the backstory for Ink Theory, but you know who else hasn’t been mentioned since Splatoon 2? SashiMori. And I don’t see anyone making a big deal about that (other than me, Nintendo, please), but I digress. Let’s talk about these losers.
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The Band
Hightide Era is an indie band that developed a strong enough fanbase to get their music into the Turf War scene. The band started life with Taka performing on the street, before later being joined by Kuze, and then Nishida, in that order. One of the first things we learned is the meaning of the band's name, which refers to both the nature of the band's sound, brimming and full… and also the ecological realities of the world. Seems the band has environmental concerns they wanna draw attention to, enough to make it a part of their name. 
Taka
The band's pianist and vocalist, and the overall center of attention of the band, which is exactly what they want. They’re an incredibly talented musician, having practiced piano since the age of Four, and attended the same prestigious academy that Karen did, having been her senior while she was attending. After that, though, they grew tired of all this academic music nonsense and took to the streets to perform, which is where they met Kuze and Nishida. 
The most obvious thing to know about Taka, outright told to us in their own description, is that Taka is a shallow poser. Their main motivation for making music isn’t for any artistic merit, but just because it gets them attention and adoration. Which, considering they’ve been at it since the age of Four, is pretty concerning. Also very superficial beneath the surface. It’s an Ichiya situation, with a lot of surface level charisma concealing a superficial personality. It must be pretty effective too considering they have a dedicated fan in Karen. That desire for attention also keeps them from adding a bassist to the band, it draws attention away from the low notes they hit. What an ass.
White Day art time, we see our stinker leaning back on their chair, clearly spectating the epic battle between Tangle and Finn like a weirdo. They must get a lot of enjoyment out of seeing chaos going on around them. Or maybe they’re trying to peek at Finn? In which case they probably didn’t get to stay as a spectator for long. 
Kuze
Kuze is the drummer and a stone fish. He plays on cheap drums because it provides a very messy but powerful sound that compliments the other members trying to look cool. He probably just likes the way the drum sounds and thinks it looks cool. He’s also a fashion designer, he made the uniforms the band wears. Probably has a lot of talents in that area, too. 
He’s the third and final member of Underpass Bass Drum, so he’s an active turf player. It’d be cool if one day we got an idea as to what their weapon preferences are. Maybe they even wear a uniform too, what with him being a part of the team? Ah, I’m speculating.
White Day has him sitting with Paul and Jawn. He’s not playing the game, so he’s probably just hanging with them and watching, perhaps waiting for his turn. But there’s one thing you can see him do, and that’s giving Taka the side-eye. It gives the vibe that he knows about Taka and their shenanigans and doesn’t tolerate them too much. Or he’s just keeping an eye on them in case Finn notices and takes it as a challenge. 
Nishida
Nishida is a herring and a guitarist. They don’t like being in the spotlight, despite the stereotype revolving around guitarists. May or may not have something to do with the fact they are the youngest of 247 siblings. Like, yeah, that’s a huge ratio of sibling teasing, bullying and fawning, especially since they’re the youngest. Still, they don’t hate attention, they’ve apparently been featured in a serialized magazine that talks about their guitar skills. And apparently people they’re trying to “put on airs” (it means they act like they’re better than others, to be snobbish), when really they don’t do that… most of the time. Is it trying to say that they’re only occasionally snobbish and act egotistical?
In the White Day artwork, they are shown engaged in conversation with Taichi in the back of the bar. They’re more social than they appear, at least, but we may never know what the nature of their conversation is. #Nishida x Taichi Romance. They also brought their guitar for some reason, despite absolutely no one else bringing anything. Wonder what that’s about.
And that’s Hightide Era. I never cared about them until today, but I’m glad to say I’ve gained an appreciation for them as of this analysis. There’s something to love about everyone, even if some of them could probably use a little less attention (*cought* Taka *cough*).
We are down two bands. The Chips that Chirp, the neurodivergence squad Chirpy Chips, and everyone’s favorite band of fish freaks ω-3. I’ll go with the Chips first, and then finish with the Salmons. This is fun.
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riley-reference-mark · 6 months
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Weezer is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1992. Since 2001, the band has consisted of Rivers Cuomo (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Patrick Wilson (drums, backing vocals), Scott Shriner (bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), and Brian Bell (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals). They have sold 10 million albums in the US and more than 35 million worldwide.[1]
After signing to Geffen Records in 1993, Weezer released their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, also known as the Blue Album, in May 1994. Backed by music videos for the singles "Buddy Holly", "Undone – The Sweater Song", and "Say It Ain't So", the Blue Album became a multiplatinum success. Weezer's second album, Pinkerton (1996), featuring a darker, more abrasive sound, was a commercial failure and initially received mixed reviews, but achieved cult status and critical acclaim years later. Both the Blue Album and Pinkerton are now frequently cited among the best albums of the 1990s. Following the tour for Pinkerton, the founding bassist, Matt Sharp, left and Weezer went on hiatus.
In 2001, Weezer returned with the Green Album with their new bassist, Mikey Welsh. With a more pop sound, and promoted by singles "Hash Pipe" and "Island in the Sun", it was a commercial success and received mostly positive reviews. After the Green Album tour, Welsh left for health reasons and was replaced by Shriner. Weezer's fourth album, Maladroit (2002), incorporated a hard-rock sound and achieved mostly positive reviews, but weaker sales. Make Believe (2005) received mixed reviews, but its single "Beverly Hills" became Weezer's first single to top the US Modern Rock Tracks chart and their first to reach the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2008, Weezer released the Red Album; its lead single, "Pork and Beans", became the third Weezer song to top the Modern Rock Tracks chart, backed by a Grammy-winning music video. Raditude (2009) and Hurley (2010) featuring more "modern pop production"[2] and songs co-written with other artists, achieved further mixed reviews and moderate sales. Everything Will Be Alright in the End (2014) and the White Album (2016) returned to a rock style that was reminiscent of their 90s sound mixed with modern alternative production and achieved more positive reviews; Pacific Daydream (2017) once again featured a more mainstream pop sound.[3] In 2019, Weezer released an album of covers, the Teal Album, followed by the inspired Black Album.[4] In 2021, they released OK Human, which featured an orchestral pop sound and was met with critical acclaim, followed by the hard rock-inspired Van Weezer. In 2022, they released a series of EPs based around the four seasons. History Formation and first years (1986–1994)
Vocalist and guitarist Rivers Cuomo moved to Los Angeles from Connecticut in 1989 with his high school metal band, Avant Garde, later renamed Zoom. After the group disbanded, Cuomo met drummer Patrick Wilson, and moved in with him and Wilson's friend Matt Sharp. Wilson and Cuomo formed a band, Fuzz, and enlisted Scottie Chapman on bass. Chapman quit after a few early shows; the band reformed as Sixty Wrong Sausages, with Cuomo's friend Pat Finn on bass and Jason Cropper on guitar, but soon disbanded.[5] Cuomo moved to Santa Monica, California, and recorded dozens of demos, including the future Weezer songs "The World Has Turned and Left Me Here" and "Undone – The Sweater Song". Sharp was enthusiastic about the demos, and became the group's bassist and de facto manager.[5]
Cuomo, Wilson, Sharp and Cropper formed Weezer on February 14, 1992. Their first show was on March 19, 1992, closing for Keanu Reeves' band Dogstar.[5] They took their name from a nickname Cuomo's father gave him.[5] Cuomo gave Sharp one year to get the band a record deal before Cuomo accepted a scholarship at the University of California, Berkeley.[5] In November, Weezer recorded a demo, The Kitchen Tape, including a version of the future Weezer single "Say It Ain't So".[5] The demo was heard by Todd Sullivan, an A&R man at Geffen Records, who signed Weezer in June 1993.[5] The "Blue Album" (1994) Main article: Weezer (Blue Album) Current guitarist Brian Bell (pictured in 2013) replaced Cropper while recording the Blue Album.
Weezer recorded their debut album with producer Ric Ocasek at Electric Lady Studios in New York City.[6] Cropper was fired during recording, as Cuomo and Sharp felt he was threatening the band chemistry. He was replaced by Brian Bell.[5] Weezer's self-titled debut album, also known as the "Blue Album", was released in May 1994.[7] Described by Pitchfork as integrating "geeky humor, dense cultural references, and positively gargantuan hooks",[8] it combined alternative rock, power pop, polished production and what AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine called an "'70s trash-rock predilection … resulting in something quite distinctive".[9]
Weezer's first single, "Undone – The Sweater Song", was backed by a music video directed by Spike Jonze;[10] filmed in an unbroken take, it featured Weezer performing on a sound stage with little action, barring a pack of dogs swarming the set.[11] The video became an instant hit on MTV.[12] The song reached No. 57 on the Billboard Hot 100.[13] Jonze also directed Weezer's second video, "Buddy Holly",[10] splicing the band into footage from the 1970s television sitcom Happy Days.[14] The video achieved heavy rotation on MTV[15] and won four MTV Video Music Awards, including Breakthrough Video and Best Alternative Music Video, and two Billboard Music Video Awards.[16] "Buddy Holly" peaked at No. 18 on the Hot 100 Airplay and No. 2 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart.[13] The song is included on Rolling Stone's 500 Best Songs Of All Time.[17] A third single, "Say It Ain't So", followed. It was met with critical acclaim and later Pitchfork ranked it #10 on the top 200 tracks of the 90s list.[18] The song reached No. 51 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart and No. 7 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart.[13] Additionally, the track was included in Rolling Stone's list of "The Top 100 Guitar Songs of All Time".[19]
Their debut album gained critical and commercial success. In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked it number 294 on The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time.[20] Weezer is certified quadruple platinum in the United States as well as Canada, making it Weezer's best-selling album.[21][22] Pinkerton (1995–1997) Main article: Pinkerton (album) Cuomo in 1997 Matt Sharp (pictured with the Rentals in 2007), co-founder of Weezer, left in 1998 after the Pinkerton tour.[23][24]
In 1994, Weezer took a break from touring for the Christmas holidays.[25] Cuomo traveled to his home state of Connecticut and began recording demos for Weezer's next album. His original concept was a space-themed rock opera, Songs from the Black Hole, that would express his mixed feelings about success." The album featured a story in which each member of the band played a character. Other characters were played by Rachel Haden (The Rentals and That Dog), Joan Wasser (The Dambuilders), and Karl Koch. The story was set in 2126, with the spaceship Betsy II embarking on a galaxy-wide mission.[26][27] Cuomo conceived the story as a metaphor for his conflicted feelings about touring in a successful rock band.[27] The ship's name Betsy II is taken from Weezer's first tour bus, nicknamed Betsy; M1 represents Weezer's management and record label; Wuan and Dondó represent the part of Cuomo that was excited about success; Jonas represents his doubts and longing; Laurel and Maria represent his relationships with women.[27][28] Weezer developed the concept through intermittent recording sessions through 1995.[29] At the end of the year, Cuomo enrolled at Harvard University, where his songwriting became "darker, more visceral and exposed, less playful", and he abandoned Songs from the Black Hole.[30]
While attending Harvard, Cuomo experienced loneliness and frustration while also undergoing an extensive surgery for his left leg. These experiences influenced his songwriting for the next record.[31] The other members of Weezer decided to embark on their own side projects during this time. Sharp started The Rentals who released their debut album, Return of the Rentals, in October 1995. The album also featured Patrick Wilson on drums. Wilson also formed his band, The Special Goodness, during this time.[32][page needed] Bell decided to work on his band, Space Twins.[32][page needed]
Weezer's second album, Pinkerton, was released on September 24, 1996.[33][34] Pinkerton is named after the character BF Pinkerton from Madama Butterfly, who marries and then abandons a Japanese woman named Butterfly. Calling him an "asshole American sailor similar to a touring rock star", Cuomo felt the character was "the perfect symbol for the part of myself that I am trying to come to terms with on this album".[35] It produced three singles: "El Scorcho", "The Good Life", and "Pink Triangle".[36]
With a darker, more abrasive sound,[33] Pinkerton sold poorly compared to the Blue Album[37] and received mixed reviews; it was voted "one of the worst albums of 1996" in a Rolling Stone reader poll.[38] However, the album eventually gained a cult following and came to be considered among Weezer's best work;[33][39] in 2002, Rolling Stone readers voted Pinkerton the 16th greatest album of all time,[40] and it has been listed in several critics' "best albums of all time" lists.[41] In 2004, Rolling Stone gave the album a new review, awarding it five out of five stars and adding it to the "Rolling Stone Hall of Fame".[42] Pinkerton was later certified platinum in 2016.[43]
The album became an emo masterpiece and some credit it to "rewriting the emo blueprint" as it became quite influential for a number of bands and the genre itself in the 2000s.[44][45][46]
In July 1997, sisters Mykel, Carli, and Trysta Allan died in a car accident while driving home from a Weezer show in Denver, Colorado.[47] Mykel and Carli ran Weezer's fan club and helped manage publicity for several other Los Angeles bands, and had inspired the "Sweater Song" B-side "Mykel and Carli". Weezer canceled a show to attend their funeral.[48] In August, Weezer and other bands held a benefit concert for the family in Los Angeles.[49] A compilation album, Hear You Me! A Tribute to Mykel and Carli, was dedicated to their memory. The album included "Mykel and Carli", as well as songs by Ozma, That Dog, and Kara's Flowers.[50] In 2001, Jimmy Eat World released "Hear You Me" which was dedicated to Mykel and Carli.[51] Hiatus (1997–2000) Mikey Welsh (pictured in 2010) played bass with Weezer from 1998 until 2001.
Weezer completed the Pinkerton tour in mid-1997 and went on hiatus.[52][53] Wilson returned to his home in Portland, Oregon to work on his side project, the Special Goodness, and Bell worked on his band Space Twins.[54][55] In 1998, Sharp left Weezer due to differences with the band members.[24] He said of his departure: "I certainly have my view of it, as I'm sure everybody else has their sort of foggy things. When you have a group that doesn't communicate, you're going to have a whole lot of different stories."[56]
Cuomo returned to Harvard but took a break to focus on songwriting.[53] He formed a new band composed of a changing lineup of Boston musicians, and performed new material.[52] The songs were abandoned, but bootlegs of the Boston shows are traded on the internet.[57] Wilson eventually flew to Boston to join Homie, another Cuomo side project.[citation needed] The members of the band were composed of Greg Brown (Cake and Deathray), Matt Sharp, Yuval Gabay (Soul Coughing and Sulfur), Adam Orth (Shufflepuck), and future Weezer bassist Mikey Welsh.[32][page needed] Although a Homie album was being recorded, they ended up only releasing one song called "American Girls" for the 1998 film Meet The Deedles.[58]
In February 1998, Cuomo, Bell and Wilson reunited in Los Angeles to start work on the next Weezer album. Rumors suggest Sharp did not rejoin the band and left the group in April 1998, which Sharp denies.[24][59] The group hired Mikey Welsh, who had played with Cuomo in Boston, as their new bassist.[60] Welsh was also previously a bassist for Juliana Hatfield. Weezer continued rehearsing and recording demos until late 1998. Frustration and creative disagreements led to a decline in rehearsals, and in late 1998, Wilson left for his home in Portland pending renewed productivity from Cuomo. In November 1998, the band played two club shows with a substitute drummer in California under the name Goat Punishment, consisting entirely of covers of Nirvana and Oasis songs. In the months following, Cuomo entered a period of depression, unplugging his phone, painting the walls of his home black, and putting fiberglass insulation over his windows to prevent light from entering.[61] Eventually during this time, Cuomo started experimenting with his music and ended up writing 121 songs by 1999.[32][page needed] In the meantime, Wilson continued to work with The Special Goodness while Bell again worked with Space Twins. Welsh continued to tour with Juliana Hatfield.[32][page needed] Comeback and the "Green Album" (2000–2001) Main article: Weezer (Green Album) Scott Shriner (pictured in 2019) has been Weezer's bassist since 2001.
Weezer reunited in April 2000, when they accepted a lucrative offer to perform at the Fuji Rock Festival.[62] The festival served as a catalyst for Weezer's productivity, and from April to May 2000, they rehearsed and demoed new songs in Los Angeles. They returned to live shows in June 2000, playing small unpromoted concerts once again under the name Goat Punishment.[63] In June 2000, the band joined the American Warped Tour for nine dates.[64][65]
In the summer of 2000, Weezer went on tour, including dates on the Vans Warped Tour.[66] Eventually, the band went back into the studio to produce a third album, the "Green Album". Due to the mixed reception of Pinkerton, Cuomo wrote less personal lyrics for the Green Album.[67] The band hired Ric Ocasek who had also produced the band's debut album.[68] Shortly after the release, Weezer went on another American tour.[63] The album was supported by the singles "Hash Pipe",[69] "Island in the Sun",[70] and "Photograph".[71] Executives suggested that "Don't Let Go" should be chosen as the first single.[72] However, Cuomo continued to fight and "Hash Pipe" eventually became the album's first single.[72] "Hash Pipe" peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart and No. 6 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[13] "Island In the Sun" was released as the second single and became a radio hit as well as one of their biggest overseas hits.[13] The song peaked at No. 11 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. The song has gained increasing popularity over the years as it later joined the digital song sales in 2008, only to peak at No. 18 in 2022.[73]
The label tried to postpone the release date of Weezer further until June, but they ended up sticking to the album's original release date of May 15 release date.[74] The album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and has since been certified platinum.[13]
After suffering a breakdown from the stress of touring, undiagnosed bipolar disorder, and drug abuse, Welsh attempted suicide and left Weezer in 2001.[75][76] He later joined The Kickovers for a short stint before retiring from music. He was replaced by Scott Shriner.[77] During this time, Spike Jonze returned to film a music video for "Island In the Sun".[78] Matt Sharp was originally intended to appear in the video, but it did not end up happening.[32][page needed] Maladroit (2002) Main article: Maladroit
Weezer took an experimental approach to the recording process of its fourth album by allowing fans to download in-progress mixes of new songs from its official website in return for feedback.[79] After the release of the album, the band said that this process was something of a failure, as the fans did not supply the group with coherent, constructive advice. Cuomo eventually delegated song selection for the album to the band's original A&R rep, Todd Sullivan, saying that Weezer fans chose the "wackest songs". Only the song "Slob" was included on the album due to general fan advice.[80]
The recording was also done without input from Weezer's record label, Interscope. Cuomo had what he then described as a "massive falling out" with the label. In early 2002, well before the official release of the album, the label sent out a letter to radio stations requesting the song be pulled until an official, sanctioned single was released. Interscope also briefly shut down Weezer's audio/video download webpage, removing all the MP3 demos.
In April 2002, former bassist Matt Sharp sued the band, alleging, among several accusations, that he was owed money for cowriting several Weezer songs. The suit was later settled out of court.[53]
The fourth album, Maladroit, was released on May 14, 2002, only one year after its predecessor.[81] The album served as a harder-edged version of the band's trademark catchy pop-influenced music, and was replete with busy 1980s-style guitar solos. Although met with generally positive critical reviews, its sales were not as strong as those for the Green Album. Two singles were released from the album. The music video for "Dope Nose" featured an obscure Japanese motorcycle gang, and was put into regular rotation. The song reached No. 8 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart.[13] The music video for "Keep Fishin'" combined Weezer with the Muppets, and had heavy rotation on MTV. Both videos were directed by Marcos Siega.
Spin reviewed it as the 6th best album of 2002.[82] A Rolling Stone reader's poll also from that year voted it the 90th greatest album of all time.[83]
Weezer released its much-delayed first DVD on March 23, 2004. The Video Capture Device DVD chronicles the band from its beginnings through Maladroit's Enlightenment Tour. Compiled by Karl Koch, the DVD features home video footage, music videos, commercials, rehearsals, concert performances, television performances, and band commentary. The DVD was certified "gold" on November 8, 2004. Make Believe (2003–2006) Main article: Make Believe (Weezer album)
Before working on new material, Cuomo discovered vipassana meditation which became a large influence to his songwriting.[84] He decided to take a more personal approach to his writing once again. One song during this process, "The Other Way", was written for Cuomo's ex-girlfriend Jennifer Chiba after her then-boyfriend, singer-songwriter Elliott Smith, died by suicide. Cuomo said, "I wanted to console her, but I was confused and skeptical about my own motives for wanting to do so, so I wrote that song about that."[85] Before recording material for their 4th album, Brian Bell and Patrick Wilson worked on their own projects. Bell's Space Twins released The End of Imagining which Rolling Stone critic, John D. Lueressen named the 7th best album of 2003.[86] Meanwhile, Wilson's The Special Goodness released Land Air Sea. Weezer performing in 2005
From December 2003 to the fall of 2004, Weezer recorded a large amount of material intended for a new album to be released in the spring of 2005 with producer Rick Rubin.[87] The band's early recording efforts became available to the public through the band's website. The demos were a big hit, but none of the songs recorded at this time were included on the finished album. That album, titled Make Believe, was released on May 10, 2005.[88] The album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.[13] Despite commercial success, Make Believe got a mixed reception from critics, receiving an average score of 52 on the review collator Metacritic.[89] Although some reviews, such as AMG's, compared it favorably to Pinkerton,[88] others, among them Pitchfork, panned the album as predictable and lyrically poor.[90]
The album's first single, "Beverly Hills",[91] became a hit in the U.S. and worldwide, staying on the charts for several months after its release. It became the first Weezer song to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart and No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.[92] "Beverly Hills" was nominated for Best Rock Song at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, the first ever Grammy nomination for the band.[93] The video was also nominated for Best Rock Video at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards.[94] The second single released from Make Believe was "We Are All on Drugs" which peaked at No. 10 on the Alternative Airplay chart.[95][96] MTV refused to play the song, so Weezer re-recorded the lyrics by replacing "on drugs" with "in love" and renaming the song "We Are All in Love".[97] In early 2006, it was announced that Make Believe was certified platinum, and "Beverly Hills" was the second most popular song download on iTunes for 2005, finishing just behind "Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani.[98] Make Believe's third single, "Perfect Situation",[99] reached No. 1 U.S. Billboard Modern Rock chart and No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100.[92] "This Is Such a Pity" was the band's fourth single from the album, but no music video was made for its release.[100] The Make Believe tour also found the band using additional instruments onstage, adding piano, synthesizers, pseudophones, and guitarist Bobby Schneck. The "Red Album" (2006–2008) Main article: Weezer (Red Album)
After the success of Make Believe, the band decided to take a break. Cuomo returned to Harvard where he ended up graduating cum laude and as a Phi Beta Kappa in 2006.[101] Cuomo also married Kyoko Ito on June 18, 2006, a woman he had known since March 1997. The wedding was attended by the current members of the band as well as Matt Sharp and Jason Cropper. During this break, Patrick Wilson and Brian Bell appeared in the 2006 film Factory Girl playing John Cale and Lou Reed respectively and contributing a cover of the Velvet Underground song "Heroin" for the film.[102] Also during this time, Bell started a new project, The Relationship. Weezer performing in Arizona in October 2008
Weezer (also known as the Red Album) was released in June 2008. Rick Rubin produced the album[103] and Rich Costey mixed it. The record was described as "experimental", and according to Cuomo, who claimed it at the time to be Weezer's "boldest and bravest and showiest album",[104] included longer and non-traditional songs, TR-808 drum machines, synthesizers, Southern rap, baroque counterpoint, and band members other than Cuomo writing, singing, and switching instruments.[105] Pat Wilson said the album cost about a million dollars to make, contrasting it with the $150,000 budget of the Blue Album.[106] The album was produced by Rick Rubin and Jacknife Lee.[107] The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 while receiving generally positive reviews.[13]
Its lead single, "Pork and Beans",[108] topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks charts for 11 weeks while also peaking at No. 64 on the Billboard Hot 100.[109][13] Its music video won a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video.[93] The second single, "Troublemaker", debuted at No. 39 on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart and peaked at No. 2. In October 2008, the group announced that the third single would be "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)" which was met with critical praise.
On May 30, 2008, the Toledo Free Press revealed in an interview with Shriner that Weezer would be unveiling the "Hootenanny Tour", in which fans would be invited to bring their own instruments to play along with the band. Said Shriner: "They can bring whatever they want… oboes, keyboards, drums, violins, and play the songs with us as opposed to us performing for them."[110]
The band performed five dates in Japan at the beginning of September and then embarked on what was dubbed the "Troublemaker" tour, consisting of 21 dates around North America, including two in Canada. Angels and Airwaves and Tokyo Police Club joined the band as support at each show, and Brian Bell's other band The Relationship also performed at a handful of dates. Shortly before the encore at each show, the band would bring on fans with various instruments and perform "Island in the Sun" and "Beverly Hills" with the band. At a show in Austin, after Tokyo Police Club had played its set, Cuomo was wheeled out in a box and mimed to a recording of rare Weezer demo, "My Brain", dressed in pajamas and with puppets on his hands, before being wheeled off again. This bizarre event later surfaced as the climax to a promo video for Cuomo's second demo album, Alone 2. Raditude and Hurley (2009–2013) Main articles: Raditude and Hurley (album)
Weezer toured with Blink-182 in 2009, including an August 30 stop at the Virgin Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. Drummer Josh Freese joined Weezer on a temporary basis to play drums on the tour, while Pat Wilson switched to guitar. Wilson said in an interview for Yahoo! Music that Cuomo wanted "to be active and more free on stage and him having guitar on was an impediment." Freese stated he was a Weezer fan and did not want to pass up the opportunity to play with the band.[111]
On August 18, 2009 Weezer released the first single for their upcoming album, "If You're Wondering If I Want You To". The song peaked at No. 81 on the Billboard Hot 100.[13] The title of the album was called Raditude which was a suggestion from actor Rainn Wilson.[112]
Raditude's album artwork was revealed on September 11, featuring a National Geographic contest-winning photograph of a jumping dog named Sidney.[113] The record's release was pushed to November 3, 2009, where it debuted as the seventh best-selling album of the week on the Billboard 200 chart. The band scheduled tour dates in December 2009 extending into early 2010 to coincide with the new album's release. On December 6, 2009, Cuomo was injured when his tour bus crashed in Glen, New York due to black ice. Cuomo suffered three broken ribs and internal bleeding, and his assistant broke two ribs. His wife, baby daughter, and their nanny were also on the bus, but they escaped injury. Weezer cancelled the remaining 2009 tour dates the following day.[114][115] The band resumed touring on January 20, 2010.[116]
In December 2009, it was revealed that the band was no longer with Geffen Records. The band stated that new material would still be released, but the band members were unsure of the means, whether it be self-released, released online, or getting signed by another label.[117] Eventually, the band was signed to the independent label Epitaph.[118] Cuomo performing in 2010
Weezer co-headlined The Bamboozle in May 2010,[119] and performed at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee in June.[120] In August, 2010, Weezer performed at the Reading and Leeds Festival,[121] and performed at the Voodoo Experience festival in New Orleans, LA in October 2010.[122]
The album Hurley was released in September 2010 through Epitaph Records. The name comes from the character Hugo "Hurley" Reyes from the television show Lost. Jorge Garcia, the actor who portrayed Hurley, stated that being featured on the album cover is "one of the biggest honors of [his] career."[118][123] The first single, "Memories" was chosen as part of the Jackass 3D soundtrack with the music video featuring members of the cast contributing backing vocals.[124]
Weezer used internet streaming service YouTube as a way to promote the album. Weezer loaned itself to 15 amateur online video producers, "going along with whatever plans the creator could execute in about 30 minutes." The band was promoted through popular channels such as Barely Political, Ray William Johnson and Fred Figglehorn. The Gregory Brothers solicited musical and vocal contributions from the band on one of its compositions built around speeches by Rep. Charles Rangel and President Barack Obama. Weezer called the promotion "The YouTube Invasion".[125]
In November 2010, Weezer released a compilation album composed of re-recorded versions of unused recordings spanning from 1993 to 2010, Death to False Metal.[126][127] The title track, "Turning Up The Radio" was a collaborative effort with many fans on Youtube. On the same day a deluxe version of Pinkerton, which includes "25 demos, outtakes and live tracks" was also released.[128] A third volume of Cuomo's solo Alone series, titled Alone III: The Pinkerton Years, consisting of demos and outtakes from the Pinkerton sessions, was released on December 12, 2011.[129] The band also contributed a cover of the Cars' "You Might Think" for the Disney-Pixar film Cars 2 as well as a cover of The [DATA EXPUNGED]s' "I'm a Believer" for Shrek Forever After.[130]
Weezer began working on their ninth studio album in September 2010 with the intent of a 2011 release,[131] but the year ended without seeing a release. On October 8, 2011, former Weezer bassist Mikey Welsh was found dead from a suspected heroin overdose in a Chicago hotel room.[132] Weezer performed in Chicago the next day and dedicated the concert to Welsh, who was expected to have attended.[133] Welsh had previously joined Weezer on stage for a few performances between 2010 and 2011.
The band headlined a four-day rock-themed Carnival Cruise from Miami to Cozumel that set sail on January 19, 2012.[134][135][136] In July, Weezer headlined the inaugural Bunbury Music Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio.[137] In early 2013 the band brought its Memories Tour to Australia—the band's first Australian tour since 1996. The band played its first two albums in full at several venues. The band also headlined the Punkspring 2013 tour in Japan and later in the year toured Canada and USA. They played multiple nights in cities around the U.S. The first night shows were dedicated to playing their hits, then the Blue album in full, front to back. The second night, they played Pinkerton in the same fashion. Koch did a "Memories" slide show at the Gibson amphitheater in Los Angeles (And most likely many other venues around the U.S.) The slide show consisted of photos of gigs over the years and highlighted the loss of their fanclub team members Mykel and Carli Allan in 1997.[138] Everything Will Be Alright in the End and the "White Album" (2013–2016) Main articles: Everything Will Be Alright in the End and Weezer (White Album)
Over 200 tracks were considered for their next album, but they were able to narrow it down to 13.[139] According to the album's official press release, the album is organized thematically around three groups of songs: "Belladonna", "The Panopticon Artist" and "Patriarchia". "Belladonna" includes the songs "Ain't Got Nobody", "Lonely Girl", "Da Vinci", "Go Away", "Cleopatra" and "Return to Ithaka", all of which deal with Cuomo's relationships with women. Tracks under "The Panopticon Artist" include "Back to the Shack", "I've Had It Up To Here" and "The Waste Land" all deal with Cuomo's relationships with fans. The final group of songs, "Patriarchia", are "Eulogy for a Rock Band", "The British Are Coming", "Foolish Father" and "Anonymous", which deal with relationships with father figures, "with a new spin".[139]
In January 2014, Weezer began recording with producer Ric Ocasek, who had produced the "Blue Album" and the "Green Album".[140] A clip of a new song was posted on the band's official YouTube account on March 19, 2014, which confirmed previous rumors of the band being in the studio.[141] On June 12, 2014, it was revealed that the album title would be Everything Will Be Alright in the End. It was released on October 7, 2014[142] to generally favorable reviews, becoming the band's best-reviewed release since Pinkerton.[143] The first single, "Back to the Shack", reached No. 5 on the Alternative Airplay chart.[13] Weezer performing at the City of Trees Musical Festival 2016
On October 26, 2015, the band released a new single, "Thank God for Girls", through Apple Music and to radio the same day. The following week, the band released a second single, "Do You Wanna Get High?". Cuomo claimed in an interview with Zane Lowe, that the band was not working on a new album.[144] Later, on January 14, 2016, Weezer released a third single, "King of the World", and announced the "White Album", which continued the critical success of the band's previous release.[145]
While writing the album, Cuomo joined Tinder to meet with people to get inspired for new songs.[146] He also started to explore other songwriting techniques including a cut-up technique, stream-of-consciousness, and writing melodies with a piano instead of guitar.[147]
Weezer was officially released on April 1, 2016 and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200.[148][149] The album is considered a concept album exploring the themes of gender dynamics, modern dating experiences and references to religious iconography.[150] Musically, the album serves as a throwback to the band's first two albums, Weezer (1994) and Pinkerton (1996), while also serving as a tribute to the Beach Boys.
The album received a grammy nomination for Best Rock Album for the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.[151]
In support of the album, the band performed on the Weezer & Panic! at the Disco Summer Tour 2016 with Panic! at the Disco in 2016.[152] The band later signed to Atlantic Records as part of a joint venture between Warner Music Group and Crush Management.[153] Pacific Daydream (2017–2018) Main article: Pacific Daydream
Soon after the release of the White Album, Cuomo discussed plans for Weezer's next album, provisionally titled the "Black Album'. Cuomo said the album would tackle "more mature topics" and be "less summer day and more winter night", and suggested the band could return to the recording studio as soon as October 2016.[154] Weezer delayed recording after Cuomo felt his new material was more "like reveries from a beach at the end of the world [… as if] the Beach Boys and the Clash fell in love by the ocean and had one hell of an amazing baby".[155]
To write the album, Cuomo utilized various musical and lyrical fragments he had collected over time. He kept an archive of song ideas and hired programmers to organize a spreadsheet of lyric snippets by beats per minute, syllable, and key to call from whenever stuck. "Instead of trying to force myself to feel inspired, I can just go into the spreadsheet and search […] I just try them out to see which ones work magically."[156]
On March 16, 2017, Weezer released a new song, "Feels Like Summer", the lead single of the upcoming album.[157] The song drew a mixed reaction from fans but became their biggest hit on Alternative radio in a decade (peaking at number 2 on the Alternative Airplay chart ).[158] On August 16, Weezer announced Pacific Daydream, released on October 27.[159] On August 17, the promotional single from the album, "Mexican Fender", was released.[160][161][162] The following month, "Beach Boys" was released, and the month after, they released "Weekend Woman" to positive reception.[163][164] "Happy Hour" was chosen as the second official single of the album, peaking at No. 9 on the Alternative Airplay chart.
The album received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.[165] The "Teal Album" and the "Black Album" (2018–2019) Main articles: Africa (Toto song), Weezer (Teal Album), and Weezer (Black Album)
Following a persistent Twitter campaign by a fan, Weezer released a cover of Toto's song "Africa" on May 29, 2018.[166][167] Prior to this, the band released a cover of "Rosanna" to "troll" their fans.[168][169] "Africa" reached number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart in August 2018, becoming the band's first number-one single since "Pork and Beans" in 2008. Two days later, on August 10, Toto responded by releasing a cover of Weezer's single "Hash Pipe".[170] "Africa" eventually peaked at No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100.[13] The success of the "Africa" cover led Weezer to record an album of covers, the Teal Album, a surprise album released on January 24, 2019.[171][172] The album was a commercial success as it peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. In addition, all tracks charted on the Hot Rock and Alternative Songs chart.[149]
On September 20, 2018, Weezer released "California Snow" as a single for the 2018 film Spell.[173] It was chosen as the closing track for the "Black Album". On October 11, 2018, Weezer released "Can't Knock the Hustle", the lead single from their upcoming album.[174][175][176] On November 21, they released the second single, "Zombie Bastards",[177][178] and announced the "Black Album", produced by Dave Sitek and scheduled for March 1, 2019. An arena tour of the U.S. with the Pixies and supporting and international tour dates were also announced.[177][178][179] On February 21, they released "High as a Kite" and "Living in LA" as the next singles.[180] They would later play them on NPR Music to promote the album for their series of Tiny Desk Concerts.[181]
During a Beats 1 interview by Zane Lowe on Apple Music on January 24, 2019, Cuomo announced that Weezer had already recorded the "basic tracks" to the follow-up album to the "Black Album". The album is being produced by Jake Sinclair, who produced the "White Album". Cuomo said the songwriting for the album is piano-based, and that some songs have string parts already recorded at Abbey Road Studios. For the recording process, Weezer departed from the modern "grid music" style (music recorded via modern software using grids to organize and manipulate the individual elements of recorded music) and did not perform to a "click" (i.e., metronome) for a more natural style.[182] Cuomo said the album is tentatively titled "OK Human" and that the inspiration for the album is the 1970 album Nilsson Sings Newman. Furthermore, Cuomo said he is currently working on an album with the working title "Van Weezer" that harkens back to their heavier rock sound after noticing how crowds go nuts for big guitar solos at Weezer shows.[183][184] OK Human and Van Weezer (2019–2021) Weezer plays Musikfest in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, August 2019 Main articles: OK Human and Van Weezer
On September 10, 2019, the band announced the Hella Mega Tour with Green Day and Fall Out Boy as headliners alongside themselves, with the Interrupters as an opening act. They also released the opening single, "The End of the Game", off their upcoming fifteenth studio album, Van Weezer.[185] The song reached No. 2 on the Alternative Airplay chart.[13] Cuomo said that the band would return "back to big guitars". He remarked that when the band would perform "Beverly Hills" live in concert, he would perform a guitar solo that was not present on the recorded version of the song. "We noticed that, recently, the crowd just goes crazy when I do that. So it feels like maybe the audience is ready for some shredding again."[186]
The band recorded a version of "Lost in the Woods" for the 2019 film Frozen II, which was included on the soundtrack album.[187] A music video was shot for the song, featuring the band and Frozen voice actress Kristen Bell.[188]
On May 6, 2020, the band released the single and music video, "Hero", a tribute to essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Simultaneously, they announced the delay of Van Weezer for a time to be determined.[189] The song reached No. 1 on the Alternative Airplay chart.[13] On May 10, Weezer guest-starred on an episode of The Simpsons, "The Hateful Eight-Year Olds", where a snippet of their song "Blue Dream" from Van Weezer was played.[190] On August 14, 2020, the band announced that the album had been delayed to May 2021 in order to coincide with the rescheduled Hella Mega Tour. That same day, the third single, "Beginning of the End", was released as a part of the soundtrack for Bill & Ted Face the Music.[191]
On October 6, 2020, after Eddie Van Halen died, the album was dedicated to him.[192] In addition to Van Halen, the album is also dedicated to Ric Ocasek, who produced the band's debut, The Blue Album, The Green Album, and Everything Will Be Alright in the End, as Ocasek had died in September 2019.[193]
On January 18, 2021, the band announced their fourteenth studio album, OK Human (a play on Radiohead's OK Computer).[194], following cryptic promotional floppy discs and links sent to some members of the Weezer Fan Club a few days prior. The announcement came with a release date of January 29.[195][196] The single "All My Favorite Songs" was released on January 21.[195] The song reached No.1 on the Alternative Airplay chart and was later nominated for Best Rock Song in the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.[13][197]
The album was planned to be released following Van Weezer, but when the album suffered a year-long delay following the COVID-19 pandemic,[198] the band decided to shift their focus to completing OK Human first.[199] Work on OK Human began as early as 2017, when the band decided to make an album that combined rock instrumentation with an orchestra.[200] The band hired a 38-piece-orchestra and recorded the album entirely with analog equipment to achieve their desired baroque sound. The album was additionally inspired by The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds and Harry Nilsson's Nilsson Sings Newman (1970).[200]
The fourth single, "I Need Some of That" was released on April 21, 2021.[201] Van Weezer was released on May 7, 2021 along with an animated music video for "All the Good Ones".[196] The album has been compared to their fourth studio album Maladroit (2002), and is inspired by 1970s and 1980s hard rock and heavy metal bands such as Kiss, Black Sabbath, Metallica and Van Halen (the last of whom inspired the album's title).[202] SZNZ (2021–present)
After delays due to the pandemic, the American leg of the Hella Mega Tour finally kicked off on July 24, 2021, in Arlington, Texas.[203] The European leg saw Weezer, Green Day and Fall Out Boy performing in Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, England, Ireland, Scotland and, finally, France.
While doing an interview with NPR about the OK Human and Van Weezer albums, Cuomo hinted that the band were working on a four-album box-set called SZNZ (pronounced as "seasons"). Cuomo also described the potential musical styles of Spring and Fall, saying: "Spring can be a very breezy, carefree acoustic-type album, whereas Fall is going to be dance rock." He later stated that the albums, titled Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter respectively, are planned for release in 2022 on the first astronomical day of each relevant season.[204] Each season is linked to their own emotion. "Spring is optimism, Summer is anger, Autumn is anxiety, and Winter is sadness."[205]
On March 11, 2022, Weezer officially announced the project, now titled SZNZ, would consist of four extended plays, with Fall renamed to Autumn. The first, SZNZ: Spring, was released on March 20, and the lead single "A Little Bit of Love" was released on March 16.[206] The song reached No. 1 on the Alternative Airplay chart.[13]
On June 20, 2022, Weezer appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, debuting "Records", the lead single from SZNZ: Summer. The song reached No. 1 on the Alternative Airplay chart.[207] The EP released at midnight on June 21, along with news of a Broadway Theater residency planned for September 2022.[208] In August 2022, the residency was cancelled due to high expenses and poor ticket sales.[209]
On September 19, 2022, the band performed once again under the name Goat Punishment at Troubadour (West Hollywood), where they played SZNZ: Winter for the first time. They also debuted the single "What Happens After You?" from SZNZ: Autumn, which was released on September 22, 2022. "What Happens After You?" was later performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[210] A music video for the single was released on November 29, 2022.
On December 9, 2022 Weezer released "I Want a Dog", the lead single from the last EP in the SZNZ series, SZNZ: Winter.[211] SZNZ: Winter was released on December 21, 2022, alongside a music video for "Dark Enough To See The Stars". Musical style and influences
Weezer has been described as alternative rock,[212][213][214][215] power pop,[214][216][217][218] pop rock,[212][219][220][221] pop-punk,[222][223][224] geek rock,[212][225][226][227] emo,[218][228][229] indie rock,[212][230] emo pop,[231] melodic metal,[232] and pop.[233] The members of Weezer have listed influences such Kiss (with direct references in the song "In the Garage"), Nirvana, the Pixies, the Cars (whose member Ric Ocasek produced several Weezer records), Cheap Trick, Pavement, Oasis, the Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day and Wax.[234][235] Cuomo credited the Beach Boys as a major influence, specifically Pet Sounds; Bell described Weezer's sound as "Beach Boys with Marshall stacks".[236] Operas and musicals such as Madama Butterfly (1904) and Jesus Christ Superstar (1970) influenced Pinkerton and Songs from the Black Hole.[237] The band members' worship for hard rock and heavy metal music was the source of inspiration behind Van Weezer, including 1970s and 1980s bands like Kiss, Black Sabbath, Metallica, Slayer, Rush, and Van Halen (the last of whom inspired the album's title).[238][239][240]
Artists such as Paramore, [241] Fun.,[242] Pete Wentz,[243] Fall Out Boy,[244] Panic! at the Disco,[245] Blink-182,[246] Steve Lacy,[247] Taylor Swift,[248] Charli XCX,[249] Real Estate,[250] Dinosaur Pile-Up,[251] Cymbals Eat Guitars,[252] DNCE,[253] Ozma,[254] Wavves,[255] Joyce Manor,[256] Origami Angel,[257] and the Fall of Troy[258] cite Weezer as an influence. Solo work and side projects
Patrick Wilson started his side-project the Special Goodness in 1996, for which he sings and plays guitar and bass.[259] In May 2012, he released his fourth record with the Special Goodness, entitled Natural.[260]
Brian Bell started the Space Twins in 1994 releasing an album, The End of Imagining, in 2003.[261][262] In 2006, Bell started a new band called the Relationship, and did not contribute any songs for Weezer's Raditude in order to save material for the Relationship.[263] The Relationship's self-titled debut was released in 2010, with a follow-up, Clara Obscura, released in 2017.[264]
Former bassist Matt Sharp started the Rentals in 1994.[265] After releasing Return of the Rentals in 1995, Sharp went on to quit Weezer in 1998 to focus more on the Rentals.[265][23] Sharp has also released work under his own name.[266] Mikey Welsh toured with Juliana Hatfield[267] and played bass for the Kickovers.[268] Scott Shriner played bass for Anthony Green's debut studio album Avalon.[269]
On December 18, 2007, Cuomo released Alone - The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo, a compilation of his demos recorded from 1992 to 2007, including some demos from the unfinished Songs from the Black Hole album.[270] A second compilation, Alone II: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo, was released on November 25, 2008, and a third, Alone III: The Pinkerton Years, on December 12, 2011.[271] The album was sold exclusively with a book, The Pinkerton Diaries, which collects Cuomo's writings from the Pinkerton era.[272]
On March 20, 2013, Cuomo and Scott Murphy of the band Allister released Scott & Rivers, a Japanese-language album.[273] They released their second album in April 2017.[274] In November 2020, Cuomo released thousands of unreleased songs and demos from throughout Weezer's career on his personal website for purchase and download.[275][276] Musical contributions
In 1994, Weezer contributed the song "Jamie" to DGC Rarities Vol. 1, which is a compilation of demos, B-sides, and covers recorded by bands on the label.[277][278] It was the first appearance of the song until it was released as a B-side for the single of "Buddy Holly" and again on the Blue Album Deluxe Edition.[279][280]
In 1999, Weezer contributed a cover of the song "Velouria" by The Pixies to the tribute album Where Is My Mind? A Tribute To The Pixies.[281]
On July 22, 2003, Weezer contributed an acoustic cover of Green Day's "Worry Rock" to the compilation album A Different Shade of Green: A Tribute to Green Day.[282]
On December 4, 2008, iOS developer Tapulous released the game Christmas with Weezer, featuring gameplay similar to Tap Tap Revenge and six Christmas carols performed by the band. A digital EP featuring the songs, titled Christmas with Weezer, was also released on December 16, 2008.[283]
On March 9, 2010, Weezer appeared on an episode of the children's daytime television show Yo Gabba Gabba! and performed the song "All My Friends Are Insects". The song appeared on a compilation soundtrack album for the show, Yo Gabba Gabba! Music Is…Awesome! Volume 2, as well as a bonus track for the Weezer album Hurley.[284]
On June 11, 2010, the band released a new single, "Represent", as an "unofficial" anthem for the US Men's soccer team to coincide with the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Although technically unofficial, the song was embraced by the team, and on June 23, 2010, US Soccer released a music video on their official YouTube channel featuring dramatic footage of the US team spliced with footage of Weezer performing.[285]
In 2010, the band recorded a cover of "I'm a Believer" for the movie Shrek Forever After.[286] Previously, Weezer had planned to include an early version of "My Best Friend" from Make Believe in Shrek 2, but it was rejected due to the song sounding "too much like it was written for Shrek".[287]
In 2011, the band covered "You Might Think" by The Cars for the Pixar movie Cars 2. The song appears on the movie's official soundtrack.[288]
In 2011, Weezer recorded a cover of "Rainbow Connection" with Hayley Williams for Muppets: The Green Album, a cover album of Muppets songs which also included OK Go, The Fray, Alkaline Trio, and others.[289]
On September 20, 2018, Weezer released "California Snow" for the film Spell, which Cuomo also provided voicework for.[290] The song later appeared on the Black Album.[291]
In 2019, Weezer recorded a cover of "Lost In the Woods" for the Frozen II soundtrack.[292]
In 2020–2021, Weezer released "It's Always Summer in Bikini Bottom" for The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run's film soundtrack.[293]
In June 2021, Weezer contributed the song "Tell Me What You Want" to the video game Wave Break. The song is featured in a special level of the game called "Weezy Mode".[294]
In August 2021, Weezer contributed a cover of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" to The Metallica Blacklist, a compilation of Metallica song covers by various artists, with each song getting several covers by different artists.[295] Band members
Current membersRivers Cuomo – lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, keyboards (1992–present) Patrick Wilson – drums, percussion (1992–present), backing vocals (2007–present); lead guitar, keyboards (2007–2012) Brian Bell – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals (1993–present), keyboards (2000–present) Scott Shriner – bass, backing vocals (2001–present), keyboards (2007–present)
Former membersJason Cropper – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals (1992–1993) Matt Sharp – bass, backing vocals (1992–1998)[23][24] Mikey Welsh – bass, backing vocals (1998–2001; died 2011)
Former touring musiciansBobby Schneck – keyboards, rhythm guitar, bass (2000–2005) Josh Freese – drums, percussion (2009–2012) Daniel Brummel – keyboards, rhythm guitar (2012–2014) Dave Elitch – drums, percussion (2022; substitute for Patrick Wilson)
Timeline Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards
The Grammy Award is an award presented by the Recording Academy to recognize achievement in the mainly English-language music industry.[296] Weezer has received one award from five nominations. Year Nominee / work Award Result 2006 "Beverly Hills" Best Rock Song[93] Nominated 2009 "Pork and Beans" Best Music Video[93] (Director: Mathew Cullen) Won 2017 Weezer Best Rock Album[297] Nominated 2019 Pacific Daydream Best Rock Album[298] Nominated 2022 "All My Favorite Songs" Best Rock Song[299] Nominated
iHeartRadio Music Awards
The iHeartRadio Music Award was founded by iHeartRadio in 2014. From 2014 to 2018 the event was broadcast live on NBC,[300] and in 2019 the event was broadcast on FOX.[301] Year Nominee / work Award Result 2019 "Africa" Alternative Rock Song of the Year[302] Nominated Best Cover Song[302] Nominated
Kerrang! Awards Year Nominee / work Award Result 2008 "Pork and Beans" Best Video[303] Nominated
MTV Europe Music Awards
The MTV Europe Music Award is an award presented by Viacom International Media Networks Europe to honour artists and music in popular culture. Year Nominee / work Award Result 1995 Weezer Best New Act[304] Nominated "Buddy Holly" Best Video[304][305] (Director: Spike Jonze) Nominated 2008 "Pork and Beans" Best Video[306] (Director: Mathew Cullen) Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards
The MTV Video Music Award is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in the music video medium. Weezer has received five awards from eight nominations. Year Nominee / work Award Result 1995 "Buddy Holly" Video of the Year[307] Nominated Best Alternative Video[307] Won Breakthrough Video[307] Won Best Direction (Director: Spike Jonze)[307] Won Best Editing (Editor: Eric Zumbrunnen)[307] Won 2001 "Hash Pipe" Best Rock Video[308] Nominated 2005 "Beverly Hills" Best Rock Video[94] Nominated 2008 "Pork and Beans" Best Editing (Editor: Jeff Consiglio and Colin Woods)[309] Won
Teen Choice Awards
The Teen Choice Awards were established in 1999 to honor the year's biggest achievements in music, movies, sports and television, being voted by young people aged between 13 and 19.[310] Year Nominee / work Award Result 2005 "Beverly Hills" Choice Music: Rock Song[311] Nominated Discography Main articles: Weezer discography and List of songs recorded by WeezerWeezer (Blue Album) (1994) Pinkerton (1996) Weezer (Green Album) (2001) Maladroit (2002) Make Believe (2005) Weezer (Red Album) (2008) Raditude (2009) Hurley (2010) Everything Will Be Alright in the End (2014) Weezer (White Album) (2016) Pacific Daydream (2017) Weezer (Teal Album) (2019) Weezer (Black Album) (2019) OK Human (2021) Van Weezer (2021)
{That's blueengland, alright}
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rhysdarbinizedarby · 11 months
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Rosie shared instastory with Rhys and Theo, along with Finn's friend (guitarist/bassist of Great Big Cow band)
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nimrats · 2 years
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STAR OF THE NIGHT ━━ 00. people watching
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calum doesn’t know why he’s at a fashion show, of all places.
sometimes, although he’s considered a famous guitarist due to the band, he forgets the first part. famous, i.e. being invited to fancy parties, award shows, places he would never have found himself if it weren’t for his status. yet here he is, glass of fancy champagne in his hand as he stands with ashton who he’s letting do most of the talking to another musician at the after party. calum knows who he is, heard a few of his songs throughout the years, but he’s not focused enough on anything to care about what he’s saying. luckily, ashton is used to him letting him carry the conversation when meeting new people.
his focus is on practically everyone else in the room, mind on autopilot as he people watches. he saw a girl, one of the models from the show not even an hour before, making out with some celebrity he knows he’s seen on a billboard before. another girl is clearly not interested in the conversation she’s having with someone he doesn’t recognise, but the smile on her face stays put until she can eventually break away from the conversation. he doesn’t know what he’s looking for, just letting his eyes flitter around the room as he casually sips at his drink.
then his eyes land on her.
he recognises her immediately, she’s changed out of the last outfit she wore on the runway, most of the models had. but if you had asked him, he wouldn’t be able to recount what exactly she was wearing. for him, the appeal was her alone. her dark hair had been straightened as it fell past her shoulders, white dress swaying against her thighs as she walked impressively well in the high heel stilettos she wore. she smiles at people as she greets them with her red coated lips and incredibly straight teeth, one of the waiters immediately passing her a drink. he doesn’t know her name, but he knows she’s the star of the night. whether it was just to him, or the rest of the audience too.
to her, the after parties are the worst parts of her job. she can stand on a runway with ease, has learnt to feel comfortable under prying eyes staring at every superficial part of her body. one thing elsie finn had not mastered, was interaction. she knew she had to uphold appearances, pretend to be interested in whatever some fashion designer had to say so that they’d consider her in the future for a job. her livelihood was something she was proudly good at, even though some would say it wasn’t hard to do in the first place. but she would always feel out of place in a conversation with someone that doesn’t really know her, which is why she had gone to find her getaway place she often resorted to.
last thing she expected was to find someone else on the, what she thought, was an undiscovered balcony getaway on the third floor of the mansion they were in. she had found solace leaning against the railing at previous parties she had wanted to get away from, having been there many times before for similar events. but she had never been accompanied by anyone before. and she definitely wouldn’t have expected the stranger on the balcony to become such an important figure in her life as time went on, but life was funny at pairing people together in that way.
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◂◂ㅤㅤBACK TO MLIST ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ CHAPTER ONEㅤ ㅤ ▸▸
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nimrats © 2022 pls don’t steal thnx
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A Herrmann/Halstead Production: Original Characters Cast
Hi! I thought it would be fun to put together a post with all of the people I would cast to play the original characters in my series, A Herrmann/Halstead Production.
Check it out and let me know what you think!
First of all, of course, is Bex! Rebecca "Bex" Herrmann is the main original character. She's the younger half sister of both Christopher Herrmann and Will and Jay Halstead.
Adelaide Kane is who I'd pick to play Bex. I think she looks like she could be related to both Herrmann and the Halsteads. (Bex and Will both got their brown eyes from their individual moms, but it ends up making them look more alike. Bex and Jay both got their freckles from Pat. Bex and Chris got their darker hair, nose shape, and smile from their mom.)
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Chris and Bex.
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Jay, Will, and Bex.
Please also enjoy how cute Mouse and Bex look together:
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It's going to be so good once they get their act together. :D
Next up: Bex's friends from college (and band mates!)
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Kiki Layne as Kira Cole and Stephanie Hsu as Malia Lin. (Kira plays lead guitar in their band and Malia plays keyboard.)
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Anthony Hill as Devon Robertson, Tyler Hoechlin as Sam Kent, and Rafael Silva as Isaac Almeida. (Devon plays drums in the band, Sam is Julie Tay's current patrol partner, and Isaac is running the Mouse/Bex betting board with Shay. I have a fun storyline planned for these three guys and Shay and Tay. :D)
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Sinqua Walls as Ben Vernon and Florence Pugh as Faith Callahan. (Ben acts as manager for the band and Faith plays bass.)
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Madison Iseman as Emery Hughes and Bryce Durfee as Ty Anderson. (Yes, Ty is somewhat older than Emery and the group. She met him once they moved back to Chicago, not while they were at school.)
Next is Bex and her band's new rock band friends: Taggert!
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Matthew Daddario as Beau Taggert. (He is the middle Taggert sibling. He's also the lead guitarist of the band and one of the lead singers.)
[I wanted someone who could pull off being broody, sexy rock star guy, but also be fun and charming and kind of goofy. I think Matthew Daddario fits that bill pretty nicely.]
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Beau and Bex. (Might need to do an AU of this AU where they end up together, lol!)
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Katie McGrath as Patti Taggert. (She is the oldest Taggert sibling and the other lead singer of the band. She also plays guitar. Patti is engaged to Pete.)
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Shelley Hennig as Elle Taggert. (She is the youngest Taggert sibling and she plays drums in the band.)
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Oliver Stark as Pete Nash. (He is Patti's fiancé and he plays bass in the band.)
Next up is the bad guys (thus far):
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Michael Shannon as Vincent Marsconi, aka Vinnie, Finn Whitrock as Cal Anderson and Bill Skarsgård as Robert Forrest aka Ramsay. (But he has lighter hair as Ramsay.)
Last, but not least is Mouse's support group:
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Richard Schiff as Chuck Weiss, Christian Kane as Ed Spencer, and Jason George as Frank Bailey.
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Brianna Baker as Ada Jackson and AJ Cook as Lucy Graham.
Those are all of the major original characters. Might have one or two more crop up and I'll add them here when they appear.
Update #1!
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Meet Richard Madden as AJ Michaels aka the Asshole. Click here for the rundown post of the series if you want to check it out! (Or you can read it on ao3 if you prefer: click here!)
I hope you enjoyed this little tour through the OC cast! My ask box and inbox are always open if you want to say hi/scream about the shows/talk about fic!
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eternalsweetener · 2 days
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━ introduction + muses & fandoms.
hey y'all! i'm dylan, a 23 year old from miami (EST) who's been itching to get back into roleplaying. i'll be roleplaying on discord (both fandom and fandomless) and there's only a few things i wanna put out there before we start plotting!
one: i will only write with other writers who are at least twenty years old. two: the length of replies doesn't really matter to me, and i'm happy to match whatever you're comfortable with/used to as long as the writing is good and proper grammar is used. three: i'm perfectly fine with writing smut, i just don't want the entire roleplay to revolve around it. generally, i'm looking for fleshed out, long term plots with plenty of drama, romance, angst, etc. four: i typically write males more, but i can and will write females as well! five: i don't have any triggers, so please let me know yours as we plot!
like i said, i'm looking to roleplay with both fandom and fandomless/original characters, so i'm gonna list the muses that i have so far, as well as the fandoms/pairings that i'm looking to roleplay, under the cut! i'll also add a few plot ideas that i like, but i'm pretty much open to anything, so please throw your ideas at me in messages!
━ meet my muses.
VINNIE CATTANEO. fc: lorenzo zurzolo. 20-23. your typical jaded, brooding, angsty boy. proud stoner, not so proud dealer. guitarist. journals often. "i hate everyone but you" vibes.
WESLEY NEWMAN. fc: tom welling. 23-27. firefighter. textbook himbo. pathological people pleaser. dedicated cat dad. heart over head. shameless simp. always laughing.
CADE BAUER. fc: drew starkey. 21-24. hockey player. unapologetic fuckboy. asshole tendencies. ego the size of texas. redeemable qualities if you squint hard enough.
CHANDLER NORWOOD. fc: greta onieogou. 24-28. law school student. old money. obessive overachiever. occasional snarky streak. slightly uptight. great listener.
DAMIAN PARK. fc: charles melton. 25-29. veterinarian. soft-spoken. legal guardian of two younger siblings. dad joke maker. loves to bake. chronic overthinker. quiet, stoic type.
NATALIA BURNS. fc: dianna agron. 20-23. fashion model. party girl. self aware slut. chronic commitment issues. never without lip gloss. dramatic. hot mess. loves to dance.
SETH AMBROSE. fc: josh hutcherson. 20-22. bus boy. skateboarder. spends too much time on the computer. introvert. nervous rambler. never misses a day of wordle.
LEVI WESTBROOK. fc: callum turner. 27-32. history teacher. freelance writer. always at the beach. loves a good turtleneck. hopeless romantic. lowkey clean freak.
VERONICA "RONNIE" HARGROVE. fc: chandler kinney. 22-26. personal trainer. tomboy. always thrifting. halloween lover. earbuds always in. former track & field runner.
MANNY CONTRERAS. fc: benjamin wadsworth. 21-24. boxer. party animal. chaotic. bruised knuckles. runs on impulse. joking most of the time. biker.
LOUIS GRANT. fc: chris briney. 20-22. lost in life. witty. middle child. sensitive heart. probably on a yacht somewhere. old soul. coffee drinker.
JESSE AIKMAN fc: chris wood. 22-27. resturant owner. raised on a ranch. paints occasionally. total sweetheart. wears cowboy boots unironically.
SEBASTIAN BARCLAY. fc: alex fitzalan. 20-24. trust fund baby. former valedictorian. overdresser. cocky little shit. gift giver. always at fancy events.
KAT KENNEDY. fc: sophia bush. 20-24. baker, lover girl. optimistic. very social. sweet over salty. shopaholic. runs a secret food blog. pop music fan.
━ fandoms.
disclaimer: the bold indicates which character i would rather use, though i won't refuse to play the other, and if there isn't any bold, i don't have a preference. the fandoms listed with "oc x oc" are universes that i think would be interesting to plot in/around using original characters! also, characters that are underage will, of course, be aged up!
glee: quinn/puck, rachel/puck, santana/quinn, finn/rachel, finn/quinn, quinn/rachel, sam/quinn, oc x canon
one tree hill: brooke/lucas, brooke/nathan, oc x canon
outer banks: jj/kiara, jj/sarah, rafe/kiara, oc x oc
euphoria: lexi/fez, oc x canon, oc x oc
stranger things: max/lucas, max/mike
harry potter: ron/hermione, oc x oc
gossip girl, vampire diaries, shameless, the summer i turned pretty, pretty little liars: oc x oc
━ plots.
disclaimer: these are just a few tropes/plots i enjoy. like i said, i'm not at all picky about plotting, so don't be scared to throw whatever ideas you have at me, because chances are that i'll agree and add on!
friends with benefits, enemies to lovers, exes with benefits, rivals to lovers, exes to lovers, (toxic) situationships, bestfriends brother, brothers bestfriend, opposites attract, bad boy/girl x good boy/girl, slowburn, secret/forbidden romance, fake dating, cheating trope, enemies/frenemies with benefits, one night stand, forced proximity
a plot inspired by the summer i turned pretty, in which both muses have been vacationing to the same place every summer for years
our muses know eachother because one of them is bestfriends with the other's boyfriend/girlfriend, and they end up hooking up one night
any plot inspired by a song (open to suggestions!)
two exes who are absolutely crazy over each other and probably shouldn't be together, who always find their way back after all the fights, breakups, etc
one muse starts hooking up/hanging out with the other, but they have to sneak around because their dad coaches the rival team that the other muse is the star player of
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