Weezer's first demo
| Weezer's first demo | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 An example of a publicly-distributed copy of the demo; every copy is duplicated over a miscellaneous unused tape and personalized for its recipient | ||||
| Demo album by Weezer | ||||
| Released | 1992 | |||
| Recorded | May 1992 | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Label | Self-released | |||
| Weezer chronology | ||||
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Weezer's first demo, nicknamed the English Acid tape, was the first "real" demo tape recorded by Weezer, intended to promote the band to local venues. It was recorded in the May of 1992 in the garage of 2226 Amherst Ave. on an 8-track multitrack recorder belonging to Rivers Cuomo.
Overview
Amidst rehearsal tapes, collaborative multitrack recordings, and one-off solo demos being created in early 1992, there arose a need for a manicured, full-band demo which could be distributed for promotion. Although the band had been playing local shows since March, there were many clubs and show promoters in Los Angeles who would book a band only if they liked their demo tape. The band attempted to record this first "real" demo sometime in May.[1][2]
Each band member recorded their part in separate layers onto a cassette tape using Cuomo's 8-track multitrack recorder.[3] It was recorded in the garage of 2226 Amherst Ave. — the namesake of "In the Garage", written later in 1993. Four songs were attempted, however "Undone - The Sweater Song" was left unfinished with only drum and bass recorded.
Karl Koch estimates that roughly 10 copies of the demo were made, each duplicated onto any unused tape the band had access to.[1] There was no artwork or packaging made for the demo; each tape was individually personalized for its recipient. The demo has been nicknamed the English Acid tape after the venue of the same name, whose owner received the demo and afterwords booked the band for two shows in June.[4] One copy, sent from Cuomo to a potential manager and friend of the band Wax, has the handwritten labels "3 Songs from Weezer" and "Weezer Demo". It was included alongside a typed letter which mentions plans to record a second, more professional demo in August.
Although the demo helped to book shows, consensus within the band was that something better was needed. Per Koch:
This tape did help the band somewhat, but it was considered problematic from the get go and a better demo or even an independent album was slated to be recorded as soon as possible.[1]
The recording of "Let's Sew Our Pants Together" from this demo was included in the digital compilation Patrick & Rivers, available on Cuomo's demo storefront. It is in the folder "1992-05-xx- demo". It was long thought the recordings from the demo were copied directly over for Weezer's second demo, but Koch confirmed in 2024 that they are different recordings entirely.[5] The remaining two songs, as well as the incomplete recording of "Undone - The Sweater Song", remain unheard by fans.
Track Listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Thief, You've Taken All That Was Me" | Rivers Cuomo, Patrick Wilson | |
| 2. | "Let's Sew Our Pants Together" | Cuomo, Wilson | 3:52 |
| 3. | "The World Has Turned and Left Me Here" | Cuomo, Wilson |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4. | "Undone - The Sweater Song" | Cuomo |
Gallery
Copy belonging to Karl Koch
Karl Koch's copy of the demo also features his recordings of the June 10 and June 11 shows at the English Acid, which the demo helped book.[4] It is recorded over a copy of Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814.
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Front of J-card
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Spine of J-card
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Tape and reverse of J-card
"3 Songs from Weezer for Syd" copy
A regular patron of Raji's (where Weezer played their first concert) and acquaintance of the band through mutual friends from the band Wax was sent a copy of the demo alongside a typed letter from Rivers Cuomo sometime in mid-1992. At the time, the recipient was considering managing the band. It is taped over a copy of Legal by Special Ed. It is the only publicly-distributed copy of the tape which has been seen by fans.
The letter included with the tape reads as follows:
***,
remembers us? We met you,s at the wax's party. Here's the tape we long since promised; hope you enjoy. Tis gargage nonsene only so don't hope too high. The melodies contained herein are titled as follows:
- 1) thief, you've taken all that was me
- 2) let's sew our pants together
- 3) the world has turned and left me here
we's be plannin' to record a "real" demo at the beginning of August and release it later that month at our ASCAP's best-kept-goodies show. we'll keep you posted.
- Loves,
to offer constructive criticism or to otherwise harass, please call Rivers at ***********
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Tape inside of cassette shell; no J-card, "RIVERS" written in black marker
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Spine of cassette shell showing a sticker that reads "WEEZER demo"
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Tape
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Letter sent alongside tape
.jpg)
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Karl Koch. "Historic event: 05/25/1992". Super-Chrono.
- ↑ Karl Koch. (1995). "Karl Answers More Than You Ever Thought To Ask...". Weezine Issue #3 - Summer 1995 (p. 10).
- ↑ Karl Koch. "5/?/92 Weezer Demo #1 (of 3)". Recording History (p. 3).
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Karl Koch [Karlophone]. (February 2023). Messages sent to the Weezerpedia Discord Server channel #karlification. Transcribed at Weezerpedia Discord Q&A with Karl Koch - February 2023.
- ↑ Karl Koch [Karlophone]. (August 9, 2024). Message sent to the Weezerpedia Discord Server channel #project-forums. Transcribed at Weezerpedia Discord Q&A with Karl Koch - August 2024.