The year is 1992. Time for a throwback!
I was probably throwing a temper tantrum about eating ice cream instead of a nasty broccoli casserole for dinner when Weezer became an entity on the music scene. My parents probably collapsed into a tiny ball on the couch after putting me to bed while Weezer simultaneously toasted to fortune and a future in the industry, or perhaps were nervously preparing for their first gig (which was opening for Keanu Reeves’ band, Dogstar – pretty #lolz, I know).
If you’ve never heard of Weezer, there is definitely something missing from your life. After nine full-length albums, six EP’s, and almost ten million records sold, there is really no reason for you not to. Like, for instance – that video that the Muppets were featured in? That’s Weezer! (See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MrXdaxbvwo).
Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with the sassy and stylish “Sass Master” of Weezer, Brian Bell, whose tongue-in-cheek responses certainly lived up to his reputation. Prepare to get sassified, folks!
As potentially the biggest fan of LOST ever, I wholly appreciated your album Hurley. I assume you all are also fans, so give it to me straight: Season 6 – yay or nay?
Brian Bell: You’re right in assuming that I may be a fan of LOST, but wrong in your assumption. I’ve never seen one episode. I’m sure it’s just a wonderful show though, and I don’t think you’re a loser at all for your obsession. I would like to see a new season of “Flight Of The Conchords”, but people would definitely be confused if they saw Jermaine on our cover.
Recently, Rivers tweeted that there is new material in the works. Can you give us any spoilers, or what to expect?
BB: As far as a new album in the works, you seem to know more than I do. I guess I need to start following Rivers on Twitter too.
It seems that no member of Weezer is shy to collaborate. Having worked with Space Twins and The Relationship, how important is working outside of the band to you and why?
BB: Self-exploration is what is important to me and collaboration sometimes can enhance that journey. The Relationship record is the record I’ve wanted to make my whole life. As my writing partner Nate Shaw puts it, I had a hairball that I had to cough up.
You guys are a household name – people can listen to you on the radio, play ‘Say It Ain’t So’ on Rock Band, see your music videos on TV. After nearly 20 years, is it still surreal for you?
BB: Media has changed so much since we’ve started. These days almost everyone is famous or can be with the right PR or scandalous YouTube clip. I’ve got news for all that seek fame. Fame sucks. It can have its advantages but mainly it’s a drag. I believe in the future we’ll be paying for anonymity.
You’re called the ‘Sass Master’ because of your strong sense of fashion. What sort of clothing venues do you frequent?
BB: I actually have no idea how that nickname started. Maybe Matt Sharp called me sassy once in an interview? Anyway, I’d like to think a have a strong sense of style, as fashion is forever changing. To quote a lyric from our song “Modern Man” on the soon to be released Relationship EP, “You can’t steal style, it takes a while to learn to tie a Windsor knot”.
What’s playing currently in your iTunes?
BB: Hopefully nothing is currently playing on my iTunes since I’m in Seattle doing this interview on the hotel’s computer, and I’m pretty sure I turned off all my lights and turned on my alarm before I left, so if something is playing on my iTunes then Goldilocks might be in my bed right now, and if she is in my bed then I have no idea what I’m doing here? But The Strokes new record, Angles is currently in the CD player of my car stereo.
What’s your biggest fear in life?
BB: This question seems out of place with the rest (but magazines tend to ask these sort of irrelevant questions). I have a fear of snakes and a fear of plane crashes, but a bigger fear of having to watch the film “Snakes On A Plane”.
Picture this scenario: Right now, you are sweating to death from a 50-degree day – what is the most insane thing you would do for a Klondike Bar?
BB: Since I read the temperature in Farenheit, 50 degrees is borderline cold, especially in sunny Southern California, so I would do nothing for a Klondike bar because I wouldn’t want one.
If you haven’t already given it a listen, make sure to check out Weezer’s most recent album Hurley on Epitaph Records, as well as Death to False Metal, a compilation album composed of rerecorded versions of unused recordings from the beginning of their expansive careers. Coolio, right?