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Sharp seeks communication with latest sound
Author: Tim Brouk (Journal and Courier)
Published: October 3, 2004
Matt Sharp has appeared on three album covers in his life. All three represent critical stages in his music career and his life.
First, there was the now epic Weezer. Sharp stands innocently with his hands folded against the background that gives the disc's nickname "the Blue Album." The record yielded singles "Buddy Holly" and "Undone (The Sweater Song)" and paved the way for Weezer to become one of the most popular rock bands in the last 10 years.
During a Weezer hiatus, Sharp formed The Rentals and produced the quirky Return of the Rentals that had the alternative radio hit "Friends of P."
On this cover, Sharp has a shaved head and thick, black-rimmed glasses. He wears an awkward suit and a meek look on his face.
Now, Sharp has forged a solo career. On his latest self-titled album, Sharp's hair is longer and the signs of experience from a career in rock music can be seen in this candid photograph. While the black and white shot may not show it, Sharp is thrilled with the new direction.
"The situation I have now is so rare, so open and so liberating," said Sharp, 35, via cell phone. "There's a part of it that feels similar to when Weezer was at its best."
Sharp will appear with opener/backup band Goldenboy at 8 p.m. Monday at Purdue Memorial Union's South Ballroom.
Secluded sounds
Sharp's melancholy, mellow acoustic sound is a far cry from Weezer's geek-chic arena rock. Sharp recorded his CD mostly by himself, secluded in a small studio in rural Tennessee.
"With the sonic approach to it, I really didn't have any interest in recording any electric instruments including drums and bass on any of the record except one song,' Sharp said. "It was the kind of music that was inspiring to me."
The goal for Sharp's hottest music is to better communicate with the listener and audience. To him, an undercurrent of piano says more than a slew of Marshall stacks.
"You have to be able to have more of a circular communication with the audience that you don't have to have in rock at all," Sharp said. "[At a rock show] you just have to go out there and electrify everybody and make everybody jump up and down."
Starting his second round of touring for the record, Sharp has found Weezer and Rentals fans are grasping on to his new style.
"The good thing about the Weezer fans and The Rentals fans is that they all seem to be very bright and open-minded to me," Sharp said. "I was pretty flattered by the number of people that have come out and supported what I've done and their willingness to listen to all of these new songs."
Brett Howard, director of concerts at Purdue Student Union Board and a Weezer fan, was impressed by Sharp's new music.
"It's completely different from Weezer, definitely," said Howard, a junior at Purdue studying communication. "It's a unique sound to him. Any Weezer fan can appreciate his music as well as people who like mellow music. Knowing he used to play for such a big band makes you appreciate the music more."
Sharp's Monday concert counts for PSUB's annual big-name show.
Born in Arlington, Va., Sharp relocated to Los Angeles to pursue music. Due to the lack of funds, Sharp needed a few roommates to keep a roof over his head. That's when he met Rivers Cuomo and Pat Wilson.
The trio formed an early lineup of Weezer in 1992. Just a couple years later, Weezer would release its "Blue Album."
Sharp and thousands of Weezer fans agree that the band was at its best when it was recording 1996's Pinkerton.
However, the masses didn't embrace the sophomore release until years later.
With the slow initial sales, frontman Cuomo put the band on hiatus. Sharp found new inspiration with The Rentals. After The Rentals' initial success, Sharp quietly left the Weezer camp. However, The Rentals soon fizzled after its second and last album, Seven More Minutes.
An exhausting ride
"I really ended up bringing everyone along through the ride and each creative stage. It was a very long process, and by the time it was completed, I had worn out my welcome and sort of exhausted the people around me. Seven More Minutes was an epic experience to make."
Sharp spent the last few years traveling and writing music. He also took Cuomo to court over songwriting credits on Pinkerton. "It ended quite some time ago, and we've been able to move past it," Sharp said.
Today, Sharp is back in touch with Cuomo and Wilson. Recently, he and Cuomo met Saturday afternoons to work on some of Sharp's songs. Sharp also revisited his old drummer, and Wilson was eager to start a collaboration.
Sharp wouldn't say whether a reunion with any of his old Weezer mates is in the works as his own music is giving him plenty of satisfaction.
"This is more exciting and more interesting," Sharp said. "It gives me such joy to look at what the possibilities can be in the future. There's so many different levels to what we're doing."
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