Omaha World Herald interview with Matt Sharp - November 19, 1995

Print interview with Matt Sharp
Publication	Omaha World Herald (Link)
Interviewee	Matt Sharp
Interviewer	Jim Minge
Date	November 19, 1995
Title	Weezer Bassist Doesn't Sell His Rentals Act Short
Format	Print
External link	Archive via the Wayback Machine.
Associated concert	The Rentals concert: 11/24/1995
References	See where this interview is referenced on Weezerpedia

Weezer Bassist Doesn't Sell His Rentals Act Short Author: Jim Minge (Omaha World Herald) Published: November 19, 1995 Matt Sharp, probably most widely known as the bassist for ha-ha rockers Weezer, has an interesting outlook on life. "Keep moving before you get depressed," he said this week from Los Angeles. "You might as well work while you still want to." And work Sharp does. Apparently not busy enough with Weezer—which has been touring in support of its self-titled double platinum debut album—Sharp went out and started another band while Weezer was on a break. On Friday, Sharp and his new band, The Rentals, will open for Alanis Morissette at the City Auditorium's Mancuso Convention Hall. The Moog-synthesizer-infused rock band will offer cuts from its debut album, Return of the Rentals, on Madonna's Maverick record label. So how can Sharp—who makes it very clear that The Rentals is not "my little side project"—devote himself to two bands? "I don't know why so many people think that is unthinkable," he said. "Most people tend to think of a band to the point of a marriage - to the point where people don't think you can do anything else." "I know that most people were like, 'Oh, great, a bass player wants to do a record.' I understand that. But it's not like, 'This is what Weezer has been holding me back from - I've always wanted to do this tribal record.'" Return of the Rentals—featuring the hit single "Friends of P."—is no "tribal record." In fact, the songs, written by Sharp, often have a Weezer sound to them. Maybe that's because in addition to Sharp on bass and vocals, the Los Angeles-based Rentals also includes Weezer drummer Pat Wilson. What do the remaining members of Weezer think of The Rentals? "Rivers (Cuomo, Weezer vocalist-guitarist) knows where I'm coming from, and I don't really have to explain much to him anymore," said Sharp. "We have a very good understanding between the two of us. He's one of my best friends in the world, so I just say, 'Whenever you need me, just let me know and I'll stop and I'll do what you want me to do.' Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $16.50 in advance, $18.50 day of show and are available at the City Auditorium box office (444-4750) and Ticketmaster outlets (422-1212).