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Weezer keeps rocking
Author: Jon Parks (Rockford Register Star)
Published: December 2, 1994
- Like, their next CD is nearly done
With their latest single/video "Buddy Holly," Weezer continues to enjoy the same sort of success they've had with their debut album and their hit single, "The Sweater Song." I recently talked to guitarist/singer/songwriter Brian Bell while the band was on tour.
Jon Parks:
"The Sweater Song" has done well but I was really hit with how good the whole album was.
Brian:
Yeah, the whole thing of picking that song was very difficult for us because it's not the band's favorite song by any means. But the hardest thing about what we do at this level is making those big decisions. We were torn between "Only in Dreams," "No One Else" and all these songs. It's done pretty well though.
Jon Parks:
So, you guys don't consider yourselves big, successful stars yet?
Brian:
NO, no way. I consider like Prince or Sting big stars but us no way. We might be considered successful in the Midwest but I'm from Hollywood and to be considered big you had better be huge.
Jon Parks:
You have to admit that you sell real well and get good reviews though right?
Brian:
They've been good, yeah, but not overwhelming. Of course there's a fine line. There's bands that get good reviews in cool magazines like OPTION, Alternative Press, and Raygun. Those are the ones I like to read and they just tear us apart. They'll say like "Major label band, produced by Rik Okasic[sic] of the Cars, who the hell are these Weezeer guys and what the hell are they trying to do?" But the other side of the coin is that we get radio play and MTV.
Jon Parks:
Listening to the record brings to mind a lot of different influences.
Brian:
When everyone else was going through their KISS stage I was listening to the Beatles and more adult music. Through junior high and high school, I was hanging out with kids older that were into, like the skating scene and punk rock... I went to school in Tennessee so to bring Black Flag was considered really weird. High school graduation came around and I thought, well, I can either stay in Tennessee ... or move to L.A. and try to start a band.
Jon Parks:
So how'd you end up hooking up with the rest of the guys in the band?
Brian:
When I first moved out to L.A., I went through the whole music biz thing and failed. Touring, recording, interviews, the whole bit, just failing. I was like, the hell with it... I started my own band with my girlfriend called the Space Twins and we're still doing it. I kept hearing this band though, called Weezer. So I decided to go check them out and I was impressed. They didn't blow me away but after the show we ended up exchanging numbers. The next week they saw me play at this party. Then I heard they got signed to DGC.... I wasn't thinking, I've got to join that band, you know 'cause I was doing my own thing but I get this phone call from New York and it's Weezer. They kicked their guitar player out and asked did I want to join.
Jon Parks:
What are you hoping for in the future for the band?
Brian:
Just to keep our heads straight, keep making good music. I really hope this band stays together for a few more albums. The next one is pretty much all ready. It's going to be great... we've got some totally rocking songs. Now that we're opening for Live we can't really do any new songs 'cause we have a shorter set. I really prefer opening up.
Jon Parks:
So if it never got any bigger than this you'd be happy?
Brian:
Totally, are you kidding me? I'm loving this. I think this is pretty damn good. I want it to rise and rise steadily and maybe open up on these huge festivals like Lollapalooza. I don't want us to get too big, too soon.
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