Rivers Hated It. A Generation of Bands Loved It: Reflections on Weezer's Pinkerton
by Lauren BeckPage 4 of 6
Patrick Stickles of Titus Andronicus
1. Which song from Pinkerton is your favorite?
My favorite song must be "El Scorcho" for that was always the highlight of singalongs [with friends], that refrain being perfectly designed for an awkward teenage chorus to pour all of their angst and frustration into. Puberty was the gasoline, and Pinkerton was the match, know what I'm saying?
2. Do you have a specific memory tied to listening to the album?
I don't have specific memories tied to listening to Pinkerton, but rather large, vague ones; composite memories from innumerable repetitions of similar experiences. The first of these would be listening to the record alone as a teenage misanthrope, hiding away from a scary and confusing world and cursing all the high school girls who wouldn't give me the time of day. In a way, Weezer was to me what KISS was to Rivers in the narrative of "In the Garage." It was either that or being surrounded by all of my buddies, in advanced stages of giddiness and youthful abandon, singing the songs, all the songs, together at the very height of our still-unsure voices.
3. Has Pinkerton, or Weezer in general, influenced your band at all?
If Weezer influenced our band, surely it was in showing us that spirit, that spirit which takes whatever pain you have in your life (in the case of this record, sexual frustration) and uses it to build solidarity and celebration.
4. What are your thoughts on Weezer, circa 2010?
Discussing Weezer in modern times seems to be almost besides the point, in a way, since Rivers and the gang clearly don't have a ton invested in the external validation of the Pinkerton cult, and perhaps that's a good thing, even if you think that Weezer is just pandering to another demographic. Pinkerton will always be there for those that want it, and those people are free to take or leave Weezer's modern music as it comes.
David Crane of BOAT
1. Which song from Pinkerton is your favorite?
My favorite song would have to be "Tired of Sex." Or wait; it's a tie with "The Good Life."
2. Do you have a specific memory tied to listening to the album?
I remember getting the album the day it came out, at Tower Records in the mighty Tacoma, Washington. I spent most of my year driving around in my mom's Toyota Previa listening to Pinkerton. I remember being obsessed with the girly backup vocals on "Tired of Sex."
3. Has Pinkerton, or Weezer in general, influenced your band at all?
That whole era of Weezer is so undeniable and fun. The distortion on the guitars and catchiness made me want to start a band, but, alas, my high school friends were more into rap music and marijuanaâ�‚�¦ so I spent a lot of time listening to this album by myself.
4. What are your thoughts on Weezer, circa 2010?
I haven't really listened too much beyond Maladroit. It never connected with me the same way as I did with the first two albums. I listen to the first two records all the time. As tough as it is to get into Pat playing guitar and Rivers Cuomo as a two-armed singer, I kind of like that they are not trying to appease the cool indie people. They appear to be "just being themselves." I like that they seem a little deranged/misguided.
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