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[[Image:Boyd k packer.jpg|framed|Acting President Boyd K. Packer]]
{{Infobox musical artist
'''Boyd Kenneth Packer''' (born [[September 10]], [[1924]]) is the current [[Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve|Acting President]] of the [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church)|Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]] of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]. Packer has been an [[Apostle (Latter Day Saints)|Apostle]] and a member of the Quorom of the Twelve since [[1970]] and a [[General Authority]] of the Church since [[1961]].
| Name = Weezer
| Img = Photo_Weezer_We_300RGB.jpg
| Img_capt = Weezer lineup since 2001 (from left to right) – [[Rivers Cuomo]], [[Patrick Wilson (musician)|Patrick Wilson]], [[Scott Shriner]], and [[Brian Bell (musician)|Brian Bell]]
| Background = group_or_band
| Origin = [[Image:Flag of USA.svg|25px]] [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[California]], [[United States|USA]]
| Genre = [[Alternative rock]]<br>[[Geek rock]]
| Years_active = [[1992]]- [[1997]] <br>[[2000]] - [[2006]] (currently on hiatus)
| Label = [[Universal Music|MCA Music, Inc.]]/[[Geffen Records|Geffen]]
| URL = [http://www.weezer.com/ Official website]
| Current_members = [[Rivers Cuomo]]<br />[[Patrick Wilson (musician)|Patrick Wilson]]<br />[[Brian Bell (musician)|Brian Bell]]<br />[[Scott Shriner]]
| Past_members = [[Jason Cropper]]<br />[[Matt Sharp]]<br />[[Mikey Welsh]]
}}
'''Weezer''' is a [[Rock music|rock]] band from [[Los Angeles, California]]. They have released five full-length [[album]]s, two [[Extended play|EPs]], a [[DVD]], and a two-disc, deluxe, remastered edition of their debut album with the addition of [[b-sides]], compilation tracks, and unreleased songs. Their last album, ''[[Make Believe]]'', was released on [[May 10]], [[2005 in music|2005]]. They have sold over 7.5 million records to date in the US.<ref name="riaa">''Weezer RIAA Album Certifications'' at [http://www.riaa.com/gp/database/default.asp RIAA album certification searchable database];retrieved on [[September 18]] [[2006]]</ref>
==History Background ==
Packer was born in in [[Brigham City, Utah|Brigham City]], [[Utah]], the tenth of eleven children born to Ira W. Packer and Emma Jensen. In [[1947]] Packer married Donna Smith in the [[Logan Utah Temple|Logan Temple]] and they are the parents of 10 children and grandparents to over 50 grandchildren.
===Early days (1992-93)===
Weezer formed on [[February 14]], [[1992 in music|1992]], in Los Angeles, California, by [[Rivers Cuomo]], [[Patrick Wilson (musician)|Patrick Wilson]], [[Matt Sharp]], and [[Jason Cropper]].<ref name="weezerofficalsite">''Official Weezer Biography Page'' at [http://weezer.com/info/bios/bio.html Weezer.com];retrieved on [[September 5]] [[2006]]</ref>
== Church service ==
Five weeks after forming they had their first gig, opening for [[Dogstar (band)|Dogstar]] (featuring [[Keanu Reeves]]) at Raji's Bar and Ribshack on [[Hollywood Boulevard]]. Weezer began playing clubs and small audiences around L.A. and recording home-demos. Soon the band began to receive attention from various [[A&R]] reps, and were signed on [[June 26]], [[1993]], by Todd Sullivan, an A&R rep from [[Geffen Records]]. The band was signed onto the ''[[DGC]]'' label (which later became [[Interscope]]).
Packer has been a [[General Authority]] of the Church since becoming an [[Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]] in [[1961]]. While serving in this capacity, Packer was assigned to serve as the [[Mission President]] of the [[New England]] States Mission of the Church. In April [[1970]], Packer was the first person chosen as an [[Apostle (Latter Day Saints)|Apostle]] by [[President of the Church (Latter Day Saints)|Church President]] [[Joseph Fielding Smith]]. Packer was 45 years old when he became a member of the [[Quorum of the Twelve]], which is a relatively young age to be called to serve in the second-highest governing body of the LDS Church.
When [[Howard W. Hunter]], who had been [[President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]], succeeded to the [[President of the Church (Latter Day Saints)|presidency]] of the Church in [[1994]], he called as his counselors in the [[First Presidency]] [[Gordon B. Hinckley]] and [[Thomas S. Monson]], who were the only two Apostles senior to Packer. As a result, Packer was named [[Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve]]. When Hunter died in [[1995]] and was succeeded by Hinckley, Monson was again retained in the [[First Presidency]] and Packer was again asked to be [[Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles|Acting President of the Twelve]]. Conforming to the usual seniority-based succession pattern, the death of either Church President Hinckley or First Counselor Monson would make Packer the [[President of the Quorum of the Twelve]], while if Packer should survive both Hinckley and Monson he would become [[President of the Church (Latter Day Saints)|President of the Church]].
===''The Blue Album'' (1993-94)===
[[Image:BuddyHollyVideo.jpg|left|250px||thumb|The "[[Buddy Holly (song)|Buddy Holly]]" music video that catapulted Weezer into the spotlight]]
The self-titled debut, ''[[Weezer (The Blue Album)|Weezer]]'', commonly referred to as the ''Blue Album'', was released May 10, 1994. The album was produced by former [[The Cars|Cars]] frontman [[Ric Ocasek]] and recorded at [[Electric Lady Studios]] in [[New York City]].<ref name="rollingstone">''Weezer: Out Of The Garage'' at [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ricocasek/articles/story/6765157/weezer_out_of_the_garage Rollingstone.com];retrieved on [[September 5]] [[2006]]</ref> During the recording of the Blue Album, [[Jason Cropper]] left the band and was replaced by [[Brian Bell (musician)|Brian Bell]], a then-bassist for the band Carnival Art.<ref name="urbandictionary">''Urban Dictionary Article: Jason Cropper'' at [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Jason+Cropper Urbandictionary.com];retrieved on [[September 5]] [[2006]]</ref>
As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Packer is accepted by the church as a [[prophet, seer, and revelator]].
"Undone - The Sweater Song" was released as the first single. The [[music video]] was directed by [[Spike Jonze]].<ref name="yahoo">''Spike Jonze Boigraphy - Yahoo! Movies'' at [http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800019717/bio movies.yahoo.com];retrieved on [[September 5]] [[2006]]</ref> Filmed in an unbroken take, it featured Weezer performing on a sound stage with various amusing studio antics, including a pack of dogs swarming the set.
== Artist ==
Jonze also directed the band's second video, "[[Buddy Holly (song)|Buddy Holly]]."<ref name="yahoo">''Spike Jonze Biography - Yahoo! Movies'' at [http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800019717/bio movies.yahoo.com];retrieved on [[September 5]] [[2006]]</ref> The video featured footage from the television sitcom [[Happy Days]] spliced with the band performing in a remade "Arnold's Diner," a familiar setting from the series.<ref name="wanadoo.typepad">''Pixelbox: Television "Buddy Holly" Music Video Description'' at [http://wanadoo.typepad.com/pixelbox/television/index.html wanadoo.typepad.com];retrieved on [[September 5]] [[2006]]</ref> The video achieved heavy rotation on [[MTV]] and went on to win Jonze and the band four [[MTV Video Music Award]]s, including Breakthrough Video and Best [[Alternative Music]] Video, and two [[Billboard]] Music Video Awards.<ref name="latimes">''LA Times Past Winners Database-VMA's 1995 '' at [http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/1995/1995mtvv.htm Theenvelope.latimes.com];retrieved on [[September 5]] [[2006]]</ref> The success of the video arguably pushed the band into the mainstream spotlight. Highlighting this was [[Microsoft]] choosing to include the video on the [[CD-ROM]] for the initial release of [[Windows 95]] to demonstrate the multimedia capabilities of the [[operating system]].
Packer is also known for his artwork. He has created sculptures and paintings which were briefly on show in the [http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/museum Museum of Church History and Art] and now are in the family holdings. Packer's wildlife paintings and sculptures created over seven decades reveal his love of nature and also portray his life experiences and religious convictions.
== Controversy ==
The video for Weezer's third single, "Say It Ain't So," was directed by [[Sophie Muller]].<ref name="creativehybrid">''Weezer Say It Ain't So information'' at [http://www.creativehybrid.com/mirrorball/best_en.html creativehybrid.com];retrieved on [[September 5]] [[2006]]</ref> It featured the bandmates playing [[hacky sack]] and performing in the band's original rehearsal space and home in California. A photo of what the band calls the "Garage" is featured on the inside cover of the album. The house featured in the video has since been demolished.
{{Original research|part=article|date=April 2007}}
{{See Also|Homosexuality and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}
Packer's [[General conference (Mormonism)|LDS General Conference]] address from October [[1976]] has caused controversy among some commentators. In the speech, Packer encourages teenage boys to avoid immoral activities, which Packer says includes [[Pornography addiction|viewing pornography]], [[Religious views on masturbation|masturbating]], participating in [[Sodomy|homosexual behavior]], and participating in [[Fornication|heterosexual behavior]] outside of marriage.<ref>Boyd K. Packer, [http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/daily/sexuality/packer_young.htm ''To Young Men Only'']</ref> Packer encourages young [[Latter-day Saint]]s to "vigorously resist" any males "who entice young men to join them in these immoral acts." Packer cites the example of a male [[Mormon missionary|missionary]] he had known who "floored" his missionary companion when the companion made a homosexual advance toward him. After telling the story, Packer comments, "I am not recommending that course to you, but I am not omitting it. You must protect yourself." Manuals printed by the church also allow members to fight in self-defense.<ref>[http://lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b3bc55cbf541229058520974e44916a0/?vgnextoid=32c41b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&sourceId=6ad0cb7a29c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____ Lesson 31: “Firm in the Faith of Christ”, Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, 138]</ref> An article in the [[New Era (magazine)|New Era]] taught "You have a right to use physical force to protect virtue, family, freedom." However, it emphasized violence should only be used as a last resort.<ref>Larry A. Hiller, [http://lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=fe690e2cbc3fb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____ "Somebody’s Going to Get Hurt!"], ''New Era'', Sep. 1997, 40.</ref>
Some critics have argued that Packer's failure to "omit" the possibility of using violence to "protect yourself" against homosexual advances constitutes an endorsement of [[gay bashing]] by Packer, and that the church itself endorses such behavior by continuing to publish Packer's speech in pamphlet form.<ref>D. Michael Quinn, [http://www.affirmation.org/learning/prelude.shtml "Prelude to the National 'Defense of Marriage' Campaign: Civil Discrimination Against Feared or Despised Minorities"], ''[[Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought]]'', '''33''':3, p. 1-52 (2001).</ref><ref>{{cite news| author=David E. Hardy| title=BYU's Dismissal of Gay Students Continues Confusion for Gays, Parents (opinion)| date=[[2001-04-15]] |publisher=[[Salt Lake Tribune]] |page=AA3}}, Hardy previously criticized the pamphlet at the 26th Sunstone Symposium, see {{cite news| author=Hilary Groutage Smith| title=Mormon Pamphlets on Gays Criticized| date=[[2000-08-06]] |publisher=Salt Lake Tribune |page=B2}}</ref> Previously, when Packer had discussed avoiding other forms of sexual advances, he only said "Do not let anyone at all touch or handle your body, not anyone!" without clarifying whether physical force could be used.<ref>Packer, Boyd K. [http://lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&sourceId=338f18e7c379b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____ "The Message: Why Stay Morally Clean"], ''New Era'', July 1972, 4.</ref> Neither Packer nor the LDS Church have officially responded directly to these charges; however, other leaders of the church have since stated that the church strongly opposes any form of violence against homosexuals. For example, [[Apostle (Latter Day Saints)|Apostle]] [[Dallin H. Oaks]] has said, "Our doctrines obviously condemn those who engage in so-called 'gay bashing'—physical or verbal attacks on persons thought to be involved in homosexual or lesbian behavior."<ref>Dallin H. Oaks, [http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=bf10226fecfdb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1 "Same-Gender Attraction"], ''Liahona'', Mar. 1996, 14.</ref>
The ''Blue Album'' is currently certified triple [[RIAA certification|platinum]] in the United States,<ref name="riaa">''Weezer RIAA Album Certification's'' at [http://www.riaa.com/gp/database/search_results.asp RIAA.com];retrieved on [[September 6]] [[2006]]</ref> making it Weezer's all-time best seller. It is ranked 297 on [[Rolling Stone]]'s 500 Greatest Albums.<ref name="rollingstonemagazine">''Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums'' at [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939357/the_rs_500_greatest_albums_of_all_time Rollingstone.com];retrieved on [[September 6]] [[2006]]</ref> It was re-released and repackaged in 2004 as a Deluxe Edition, which included a second disc of b-sides along with other previously unreleased rarities.<ref name="allmusic">''"The Blue Album" Deluxe Edition Overview'' at [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:elazqj2wojka Allmusic.com];retrieved on [[September 6]] [[2006]]</ref>
== Popular culture references ==
===''Pinkerton'' (1995-97)===
On the [[April 12]], [[2007]] episode of the [[Comedy Central]] television program ''[[The Colbert Report]]'', [[Stephen Colbert]] misidentifed Packer as the "President of the Mormon Church". Colbert likened this position to the [[papacy]], and called Packer "the Mormon Pope, or 'the Mope.'" On the [[April 16]] episode, Colbert issued the following satirical correction:
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Weezer-circa_pinkerton.jpg|thumb|right|Photo of the band circa [[Pinkerton (album)|Pinkerton]], 1995-1997]] -->
In late December 1994, Weezer took a break from touring for the Christmas holidays. Cuomo traveled back east to his home state of Connecticut, and using an eight-track recorder, he began piecing together demo material for Weezer's next album. Cuomo's original concept for Weezer's sophomore effort was to be a space-themed rock opera, ''[[Songs from the Black Hole]]''.<ref name="weezerofficalpage">''Weezer Record History page 7'' at [http://www.weezer.com/info/recording/WeezRecHist7.htm Weezer.com];retrieved on [[September 6]] [[2006]]</ref>
<blockquote>
The album was intended to feature songs that flowed together seamlessly and end with a special coda that briefly revisited the major musical elements of the piece. The band began demoing and working on Cuomo's concept through intermittent recording sessions in the spring and summer of 1995. Ultimately, the ''Songs from the Black Hole'' album concept was dropped. The album would instead feature songs composed before their first album (which had briefly been incorporated into the space-opera) as well as some new ones written while Cuomo was at Harvard.<ref name="weezerofficalpage">''Weezer Record History page 7'' at [http://www.weezer.com/info/recording/WeezRecHist7.htm Weezer.com];retrieved on [[September 6]] [[2006]]</ref>
"Before we start tonight, a rare correction is in order. On Thursday I identified Boyd K. Packer as the President of the Mormon Church, or as I call him, the Mormon Pope, or 'Mope'. He is not. He is the current Acting President of the Council of Twelve Apostles of the Mormon Church. That would make him something like a Mormon Cardinal, or a 'Mardinal'. Apparently the real Mope is 'Gordon B. Hinckley'. Got the job in 1995, but he can't be doing all that great of a job if I don't know who he is. So time for Hinckley to go! See, rather than retract my statement misidentifying Boyd K. Packer, I'm calling on the Mormon Church to issue a correction by making Boyd K. Packer the Mope. [cheering in audience] And make Packer's Mopeship effective as of last Thursday. That shouldn't be a problem for you Mormons. If you can retroactively baptise George Washington, you can retroactively make me look right!"<ref>[http://brostron1.blogspot.com/ West Berkeley Flats blog]</ref>
</blockquote>
Weezer's sophomore album, [[Pinkerton (album)|''Pinkerton'']], was released on [[September 24]], [[1996]].<ref name="allmusic2">''Pinkerton Album Overview'' at [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:beq8b5t4nsqh Allmusic.com];retrieved on [[September 6]] [[2006]]</ref> Due to initial weak sales (it peaked at #19 in the U.S.),<ref name="billboard">''Weezer Album Chart Positions'' at [http://billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.chartFormatGroupName=Albums&model.vnuArtistId=36614&model.vnuAlbumId=678014 Billboard.com];retrieved on [[September 6]] [[2006]]</ref> the album was, at first, viewed as a commercial failure,<ref name="themichigandaily">''Anticipated return has Weezer in the ''Green'' at [http://www.michigandaily.com/media/storage/paper851/news/2001/05/14/Arts/Anticipated.Return.Has.Weezer.In.The.green-1408671.shtml Michigandaily.com];retrieved on [[September 18]] [[2006]]</ref> especially when viewed in light of the multi-platinum success of their debut album. The album failed to gain traction in the mainstream music world, perhaps due to a darker, more abrasive sound on the album.<ref name="allmusic2">''Pinkerton Album Overview'' at [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:beq8b5t4nsqh Allmusic.com];retrieved on [[September 6]] [[2006]]</ref> ''Pinkerton'' was labeled "one of the worst albums of 1996" by a [[Rolling Stone Magazine]] reader poll. However, word-of-mouth kept the trickle of sales going, and the album eventually achieved a cult status. As if to validate this, in 2004, Rolling Stone changed their rating to 5 stars<ref name="rollingstone2">''Rolling Stone:Weezer:Pinkerton:Music Reviews'' at [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/weezer/albums/album/301487/review/6635729/pinkerton Rollingstone.com];retrieved on [[September 19]] [[2006]]</ref> and inducted Pinkerton into the Rolling Stone Hall Of Fame. A large contingent of critics and fans currently view Pinkerton as Cuomo's artistic peak, despite the album being outsold by three of the five albums.
Three singles were taken from the album: "[[El Scorcho]]", "[[The Good Life (song)|The Good Life]]" and "Pink Triangle". Music videos were released for "El Scorcho", directed by [[Mark Romanek]],<ref name="markromanekofficalpage">''Mark Romanek Music Video's'' at [http://www.markromanek.com/videos.html Markromanek.com];retrieved on [[September 20]] [[2006]]</ref> who later removed his directing credit from the final version due to creative disagreements with the band, and "The Good Life", directed by the husband-wife team of [[Jonathan Dayton]] and [[Valerie Faris]].
The title of the album comes from the character Lieutenant Pinkerton in [[Giacomo Puccini]]'s [[opera]] [[Madame Butterfly]]<ref name="weezerofficalpage">''Weezer Record History page 7'' at [http://www.weezer.com/info/recording/WeezRecHist7.htm Weezer.com];retrieved on [[September 6]] [[2006]]</ref>. The entire album is heavily influenced by the opera's story line. Madame Butterfly is mentioned under her real name, Cio-Cio San, in "El Scorcho." The song "Butterfly" is written from Pinkerton's point of view at the end of the opera.
The album's title sparked a legal challenge. [[Pinkerton National Detective Agency|Pinkerton Securities]] of Encino, Calif., filed a temporary injunction against the band and its Geffen record label for copyright infringement two days before the album was to be released on September 24, 1996. A judge ruled against the security company and the album was finally released. This injunction caused Geffen to hold back some of the initial advertising and promotion for the album, possibly contributing to Pinkerton's initial slow sales.
===On Hiatus (1997-2000)===
Weezer completed their touring for ''Pinkerton'' in the summer of 1997. The members of the band took a break, with drummer Patrick Wilson returning to his home in [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Oregon]] to work on his side project, [[The Special Goodness]], Matt Sharp left to complete the follow-up album for his group [[The Rentals]], and [[Brian Bell (musician)|Brian Bell]] went to work on his group, [[Space Twins]].
Rivers Cuomo returned to [[Boston, Massachusetts]], but took a break from Harvard to focus on songwriting. Cuomo gathered together Boston-area musicians and rehearsed unreleased material, including possible new songs for the next Weezer album. The group, referred to by fans as the Rivers Cuomo Band, had several different lineups and played several shows at local clubs, including their first show at T.T. the Bear's on [[October 8]], 1997. Future Weezer bassist [[Mikey Welsh]] was a constant of the group's evolving lineups. Pat Wilson eventually flew to Boston to sit in on drums. The Boston songs were later abandoned and not used on the next Weezer album, but live recordings of the Boston shows are openly traded on the internet. In February of 1998, Rivers left Boston and returned to Los Angeles.
Pat Wilson and Brian Bell joined Cuomo in L.A. to start work on the next album. Matt Sharp did not rejoin the band and officially left the group in April of 1998. The group decided on Mikey Welsh as Sharp's replacement. Weezer continued rehearsal and cut demos until the fall of 1998. Frustration and creative disagreements led to a decline in rehearsals, and in late fall of 1998, drummer Pat Wilson left for his home in Portland pending renewed productivity from Cuomo. Rivers Cuomo went into a period of admitted depression, painting the walls of his home black and putting "fiberglass insulation all over the windows and then black sheets of fiberglass so that no light could get through."
The band would not reunite until April of 2000, when the Fuji Festival in [[Japan]] offered Weezer a high-paying gig to play in August 2000. The festival served as a catalyst for Weezer's productivity, and from April to May, 2000, the band rehearsed and demoed new songs in Los Angeles. The band returned to live shows in June 2000, but without the Weezer name. Instead the shows featured the group's first use of the pseudonym Goat Punishment.
On June 23, 2000, the band, now back under the Weezer name, joined the [[Warped Tour]] for eight planned dates. Weezer was well received at the festival leading the band to book more tour dates for the summer.
===SS2K - The Summer Sessions (2000)===
In the summer of 2000, Weezer (now consisting of Rivers Cuomo, Mikey Welsh, Pat Wilson, and Brian Bell) went on tour. Weezer's setlist consisted of 14 new songs that fans have labeled the ''Summer Songs of 2000'' (commonly abbreviated, ''SS2K''). When 13 of these songs did not appear on Weezer's next album, fans of the songs started a petition demanding the release of studio versions. Eventually, mp3s of live recordings of the songs were made available on the band's official website for download. Three SS2K songs, "Hash Pipe", "Dope Nose," and "[[Slob (song)|Slob]]," have appeared on studio albums ("Hash Pipe" on the ''Green Album'' and "Dope Nose" and "Slob" appearing on ''Maladroit'').
===Rebirth For Weezer, ''The Green Album''===
Eventually, the band went back into the studio to produce a third album. ''[[Weezer (The Green Album)|Weezer]]'' (2001) chose to repeat the self-titled name of their first release. This album quickly became known as ''The Green Album'' due to its distinctive bright green coloring. Shortly after the release of ''The Green Album,'' Weezer went on another American tour. They attracted a new generation of fans thanks to heavy MTV rotation for the videos of their hit singles "Hash Pipe" and "Island in the Sun."
[[Image:Hashpipegrab.png|thumb|right|Screenshot from the hit video for "Hash Pipe" featuring Brian Bell's "impossible bend"]]
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Riverscuomobeard.jpg|thumb|left|Rivers Cuomo donning a beard during the Maladroit tour]] -->
The video for "Hash Pipe," directed by [[Marcos Siega]] featured sumo wrestlers and was nominated for Best Rock Video at the 2001 [[MTV Video Music Awards]]. The drug-centric title and chorus of the song lead to a "censored" version, retitled "Half Pipe", to be released to some US radio/television outlets. Two videos were recorded for "Island in the Sun." [[Marcos Siega]] directed the first, which focused on a Mexican wedding, and [[Spike Jonze]] directed the second, which involved Weezer with animals in a wildlife reserve. Their video for "Photograph" was shot and put together by Weezer friend and unofficial "5th member" [[Karl Koch (Weezer)|Karl Koch]].
As reported on August 16th, 2001, by MTV, bassist Mikey Welsh was checked into a psychiatric hospital. His whereabouts were previously unknown, as he mysteriously went missing before the filming of the second video for "Island in the Sun". Weezer was prompted to find a temporary replacement for Welsh. Through a mutual friend, Cuomo received [[Scott Shriner]]'s number and asked if he was interested to fill in for Welsh. Shriner accepted the invitation (although initially believing it to be a prank phone call).
Much to the ire of their recording label, Weezer decided to forgo the industry-preferred waiting period of 2 to 3 years between albums and began recording demos for their fourth album with the hope of releasing it within a year. The band took an experimental approach for the recording process by allowing fans to download the demos from their official website in return for feedback. After the release of the album, the band subsequently stated that the process was somewhat of a failure, as the fans did not supply them with cohesive, constructive advice. Cuomo eventually delegated song selection for the album to their original A&R rep, Todd Sullivan, stating the Weezer fans chose the "wackest songs." Only the song "Slob" was included on the album due to general fan advice.
===Back on Top, ''Maladroit''===
In early 2002, before the release of the fourth album, Cuomo sent out a mixed version of the song "Dope Nose" to select radio stations, without the knowledge or consent of their record label Interscope. The song began to receive airplay. The record label, citing marketing concerns for the upcoming album, had Cuomo send out a letter to radio stations requesting the song be pulled until an official, sanctioned single was released. Interscope also briefly shutdown Weezer's audio/video download webpage, removing all the mp3 demos. Online Weezer fans staged a brief protest with several websites proclaiming "Free Maladroit."
In April 2002, former bassist Matt Sharp sued the band, alleging, among several accusations, he was owed money for cowriting several Weezer songs. The suit was later settled out of court.
The fourth album, ''[[Maladroit]]'', was released on May 14, [[2002 in music|2002]]. The album served as a harder-edged version of their trademark catchy pop-influenced music. Although met with generally positive critical reviews, its sales were not as strong as ''The Green Album'', and it remains their worst-selling album to date.
Two singles were released from the album. The "[[Dope Nose]]" music video featured a [[Bōsōzoku|Japanese motorcycle gang]], and was put into regular rotation. The music video for "[[Keep Fishin']]" combined Weezer with [[The Muppets]], and had heavy rotation on MTV. Both videos were directed by Marcos Siega.
As soon as ''Maladroit'' had wrapped up, the band immediately began work on their fifth album, recording numerous demos between tours for Maladroit (often recording as many as 24 songs in a day). These songs were eventually scrapped, and Weezer took a break after the release of two albums in quick succession.
Weezer released their much-delayed first DVD on March 23, 2004. The DVD chronicles the band from pre-Blue album through [[Maladroit]]'s [[Enlightenment Tour]]. Titled [[Video Capture Device]] and compiled by [[Karl Koch]], the DVD features home video footage, music videos, commericals, rehearsals, concert performances, television performances, and band commentary. The DVD was certified "gold" on November 8, 2004.
===''Make Believe'' (2003-05)===
From December [[2003]] to the fall of [[2004]], the members of Weezer recorded a large amount of material intended for a new album to be released in the spring of [[2005]] with producer [[Rick Rubin]]. The band's early recording efforts became available to the public through the band's website. The demos, entitled the Album Five Demos (or album 4.5), were a big hit with fans but only one song, "Hold Me," was included on the finished album. That album, entitled ''[[Make Believe]],'' was released on [[May 10]], [[2005]].
[[Image:BeverlyHillsSingle.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Front cover of the major hit single, "Beverly Hills"]]
The album's first single, "[[Beverly Hills (song)|Beverly Hills]]," became a hit in the U.S. and worldwide, staying on the charts for several months after its release. The video for "Beverly Hills", directed by [[Marcos Siega]], featured the band and a select choice of fans interacting with [[Playboy]] Bunnies and [[Hugh Hefner]] at the [[Playboy Mansion]]. It became the first Weezer song to hit #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart. The song was nominated for Best Rock Song at the 48th Annual [[Grammy Awards]], the first ever Grammy nomination for the band. The video for the song was also nominated for Best Rock Video at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards.
The second single off ''Make Believe'' was "We Are All on Drugs". It was released in late 2005, and the music video was directed by Justin Francis.
In early 2006, it was announced that ''Make Believe'' was [[RIAA certification|certified platinum]], and "Beverly Hills" was the second most popular song download on iTunes for 2005, finishing just behind "[[Hollaback Girl]]" by [[Gwen Stefani]].<ref>{{cite web
| last = Koch
| first = Karl
| title = breadfan, take it all away, never give an inch
| date = 2006-01-18
| url = http://www.weezer.com/community/news_comment.asp?ParentAssetID=1378551&ArtistID=479&Start=&FullStory=Y&type=
| accessdate = 2006-11-03 }}</ref>
Also in early 2006, ''Make Believe'''s third single, "Perfect Situation", spent four weeks in a row at the #1 spot on the Billboard Modern Rock chart, a personal record for Weezer. The Perfect Situation video starred [[Elisha Cuthbert]] and was directed by [[Marc Webb]]. The only other Weezer track to hit #1 was "Beverly Hills," for one week. "This is Such a Pity" was the band's fourth single from the album, but no music video was made for its release.
===Post ''Make Believe'' (2006-present)===
The band is currently on break from touring and promotion. In the summer of 2006, MTV news speculated on the breakup of the band, based on statements made by Rivers Cuomo in an MTV interview.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Montgomery
| first = James
| title = Rivers Cuomo Says Weezer Are 'Done' For Now — Again
| publisher = MTV News
| date = 2006-07-12
| url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1536119/20060711/index.jhtml?headlines=true&rsspartner=rssYahooNewscrawler
| accessdate = 2006-11-03 }}</ref> Many national media outlets picked up on the headline and began announcing the breakup as fact. But subsequent statements by Cuomo in his blog pointed out that he was misquoted and the band is still together and that he had written a lot of songs and planned on continuing to do so. Other members of the band have also announced the band is still together [http://thespecialgoodness.com/2006/07/to-w-fans.html].
A live DVD comprising footage from the current Japan tour is scheduled for release in 2006. It will consist of a 2-day, 7-camera shoot of the shows in Japan, plus material that will be drawn from various behind-the-scenes footage.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Weezer DVD
| publisher = antiMUSIC News
| date = 2005-12-30
| url = http://www.antimusic.com/dayinrock/05/dec/30/05.shtml
| accessdate = 2006-11-03 }}</ref> This was announced in late 2005 and in a recent update on the band's website it's status was "apparently edited, but has been put on hold for now."<ref name="karlkoch20060924">{{cite web
| last = Koch
| first = Karl
| title = i want people to be afraid of how much they love me
| date = 2006-09-24
| url = http://www.weezer.com/community/news_comment.asp?ParentAssetID=1498175&ArtistID=479&Start=&FullStory=Y&type=
| accessdate = 2006-11-03 }}</ref>
A Yahoo! news press release announced a greatest hits collection for Weezer to be available this fall that "will feature several new tracks". The band's website noted that this announcement is premature, as plans for a greatest hits CD have not been finalized. A recent update was posted on the site stating "If it happens, it will definitely have some new tracks. No new studio work done at this time though."<ref name="karlkoch20060924"/>
==Members==
The band currently consists of the following members:
*[[Brian Bell (musician)|Brian Bell]] — guitar, backing vocals (1993-present)
*[[Rivers Cuomo]] — vocals, guitar
*[[Scott Shriner]] — bass, backing vocals (2001-present) (plays on ''[[Maladroit]]'' and ''[[Make Believe]]'')
*[[Patrick Wilson (musician)|Patrick Wilson]] — drums
Former members:
*[[Jason Cropper]] — guitar, backing vocals (1992-93) (speculated to have been fired by Cuomo; Cropper is legally forbidden from discussing the issue){{citation needed}}
*[[Matt Sharp]] — bass, backing vocals (1992-97) (plays on ''[[The Blue Album (Weezer)|The Blue Album]]'' and ''[[Pinkerton (album)|Pinkerton]]'')
*[[Mikey Welsh]] — bass, backing vocals (1998-2001) (plays on ''[[Weezer (The Green Album)|The Green Album]]'')
==Discography==
===Studio albums===
<gallery>
Image:Weezer weezer(blue).png|<center>'''[[Weezer (The Blue Album)|Weezer]]'''<br><center>('''1994''')<br><center>'''#16''' U.S., '''#23''' UK<br>known as<center>''The Blue Album''<br><center>'''3x Platinum''' (US)</center><br><center>US Sales: 3,100,000 +</center>
Image:WeezerPinkerton.jpg|<center>'''[[Pinkerton (album)|Pinkerton]]'''<br><center>('''1996''')<br><center>'''#19''' U.S., '''#43''' UK<br><center>'''Gold''' (US)</center><br><center>US Sales: 788,000 +</center>
Image:Weezer weezer(green).png|<center>'''[[Weezer (The Green Album)|Weezer]]'''<br><center>('''2001''')<br><center>'''#4''' U.S., '''#31''' UK<br>known as<center>''The Green Album''<br><center>'''Platinum''' (US)</center><br><center>US Sales: 1,600,000 +</center>
Image:Weezer Maladroit.jpg|<center>'''[[Maladroit]]'''<br><center>('''2002''')<br><center>'''#3''' U.S., '''#16''' UK<br><center>'''Gold''' (US)</center><br><center>US Sales: 600,000 +</center>
Image:MakeBelieve.jpg|<center>'''[[Make Believe]]'''<br><center>('''2005''')<br><center>'''#2''' U.S., '''#11''' UK<br><center>'''Platinum''' (US)</center><br><center>US Sales: 1,400,000 +</center>
</gallery>
===EPs===
<gallery>
Image:The Good Life Oz Ep.jpg|<center>'''[[The Good Life - OZ EP]]'''<br><center>('''1997''')
Image:LionWitchCover.jpg|<center>'''[[The Lion and the Witch]]'''<br><center>('''2002''')<br><center>Live<br><center>Lmtd. Edition
Image:Winter Weezerland cover.jpg|<center>'''[[Winter Weezerland|Winter Weezerland EP]]'''<br><center>('''2005''')<br><center>[[iTunes]] exclusive release
</gallery>
===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
!align="center" valign="top" width="50"|Year
!align="left" valign="top"|Song
!align="center" valign="top" width="50"|<small>[[Billboard Hot 100|US Hot 100]]</small>
!align="center" valign="top" width="75"|<small>[[Modern Rock Tracks chart|US Modern Rock]]</small>
!align="center" valign="top" width="50"|<small>[[Mainstream Rock Tracks chart|US Main- stream Rock]]</small>
!align="center" valign="top" width="50"|<small>[[UK Singles Chart]]</small>
!align="left" valign="top"|Album
|-
|align="center" valign="top"|1994
|align="left" valign="top"|"[[Undone - The Sweater Song]]"
|align="center" valign="top"|#57
|align="center" valign="top"|#6
|align="center" valign="top"|#30
|align="center" valign="top"|#35
|align="left" valign="top"|''Weezer (Blue Album)''
|-
|align="center" valign="top"|1994
|align="left" valign="top"|"[[Buddy Holly (song)|Buddy Holly]]" '''Gold'''
|align="center" valign="top"|#17
|align="center" valign="top"|#2
|align="center" valign="top"|#34
|align="center" valign="top"|#12
|align="left" valign="top"|''Weezer (Blue Album)''
|-
|align="center" valign="top"|1995
|align="left" valign="top"|"[[Say It Ain't So]]"
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="center" valign="top"|#7
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="center" valign="top"|#37
|align="left" valign="top"|''Weezer (Blue Album)''
|-
|align="center" valign="top"|1996
|align="left" valign="top"|"[[El Scorcho]]"
|align="center" valign="top"|
|align="center" valign="top"|#19
|align="center" valign="top"|
|align="center" valign="top"|#50
|align="left" valign="top"|''Pinkerton''
|-
|align="center" valign="top"|1996
|align="left" valign="top"|"[[The Good Life (song)|The Good Life]]"
|align="center" valign="top"|
|align="center" valign="top"|#29
|align="center" valign="top"|
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="left" valign="top"|''Pinkerton''
|-
|align="center" valign="top"|1997
|align="left" valign="top"|"[[Pink Triangle (song)|Pink Triangle]]"
|align="center" valign="top"|
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="center" valign="top"|
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="left" valign="top"|''Pinkerton''
|-
|align="center" valign="top"|2001
|align="left" valign="top"|"[[Hash Pipe]]"
|align="center" valign="top"|#31
|align="center" valign="top"|#2
|align="center" valign="top"|#24
|align="center" valign="top"|#21
|align="left" valign="top"|''Weezer (Green Album)''
|-
|align="center" valign="top"|2001
|align="left" valign="top"|"[[Island in the Sun (song)|Island in the Sun]]"
|align="center" valign="top"|#41
|align="center" valign="top"|#11
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="center" valign="top"|#31
|align="left" valign="top"|''Weezer (Green Album)''
|-
|align="center" valign="top"|2001
|align="left" valign="top"|"[[Photograph (Weezer song)|Photograph]]"
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="center" valign="top"|#17
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="left" valign="top"|''Weezer (Green Album)''
|-
|align="center" valign="top"|2002
|align="left" valign="top"|"[[Dope Nose]]"
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="center" valign="top"|#8
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="left" valign="top"|''Maladroit''
|-
|align="center" valign="top"|2002
|align="left" valign="top"|"[[Keep Fishin']]"
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="center" valign="top"|#15
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="center" valign="top"|#29
|align="left" valign="top"|''Maladroit''
|-
|align="center" valign="top"|2005
|align="left" valign="top"|"[[Beverly Hills (song)|Beverly Hills]]" '''Gold'''
|align="center" valign="top"|#8
|align="center" valign="top"|'''#1''' (1 week)
|align="center" valign="top"|#26
|align="center" valign="top"|#9
|align="left" valign="top"|''Make Believe''
|-
|align="center" valign="top"|2005
|align="left" valign="top"|"[[We Are All on Drugs]]"
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="center" valign="top"|#10
|align="center" valign="top"|#35
|align="center" valign="top"|#47
|align="left" valign="top"|''Make Believe''
|-
|align="center" valign="top"|2005
|align="left" valign="top"|"[[Perfect Situation]]"
|align="center" valign="top"|#35
|align="center" valign="top"|'''#1'''(4 weeks)
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="left" valign="top"|''Make Believe''
|-
|align="center" valign="top"|2006
|align="left" valign="top"|"[[This Is Such a Pity]]"
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="center" valign="top"|#31
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="center" valign="top"|-
|align="left" valign="top"|''Make Believe''
|}
===Promo and International Singles===
*"My Name is Jonas" was released to radio as a promo single in Canada before the release of "Say It Ain't So".
*"Pink Triangle" was released as a radio promo in the US.
*"Photograph" was released to Japan instead of "Hash Pipe" and then to radio in the US.
===Guest Contributions===
*"Jamie" appears on the compilation album ''[[DGC Rarities, Vol. 1]]''.
*"Susanne" is a song by Weezer for the [[Mallrats]] movie soundtrack.
*"You Gave Your Love to Me Softly" is a song by Weezer for the ''[[Angus (1995 film)|Angus]]'' soundtrack.
*"Velouria" is a [[Pixies (band)|Pixies]] song covered by Weezer for the Pixies tribute album ''Where Is My Mind?''
*"Worry Rock" is a [[Green Day]] song covered by Weezer for the Green Day tribute album ''A Different Shade of Green''
*"Mykel and Carli", appearing on the benefit compilation CD ''Hear You Me!''
*"O Lisa", a Green Album B-side appears on the ''WWF'' ''Tough Enough 2'' soundtrack
*"Why Bother? (Live)" can be found on the ''Petra Haden Benefit Record''
*"You Won't Get With Me Tonight" the [[Rivers Cuomo]] home demo can be found on the Buddyhead Records compilation "Gimme Skelter"
==Music sample==
{{multi-listen start}}
{{multi-listen item|filename=Weezer - Peace.ogg |title="Peace"|description=From ''Make Believe'' (2005)|format=[[Ogg]]}}
{{multi-listen end}}
==Weezer Fans==
Weezer has a large devoted fanbase that is online savvy. Fans have created numerous websites about the band that range beyond typical website fare for popular rock bands. Sites have been formed about the folklore of unreleased band material [http://www.jmush.com/weezerss2k/], [http://www.sftbh.com/], sites featuring massive amounts of bootlegs from concerts [http://live.weezernation.com/], websites about the band's alter-ego Goat Punishment [http://www.goatpunishment.com/], bizarre Weezer fan fiction [http://members.cox.net/defgav/mrt/] and even a graveyard for fallen fan sites [http://www.weezerip.com/]. Many fan sites are devoted to compiling the hundreds of unreleased recordings, which span from pre-Weezer projects up to the early demos and live tour recordings for ''Make Believe''. Numerous Weezer message boards exist with large user bases. In late [[2001]] and early [[2002]], Rivers Cuomo himself frequently conversed with fans through email, messageboards and AIM [http://members.shaw.ca/ridd2/rca.html].
One notable Weezer fan tradition is the "flying W" hand symbol, which is frequently seen at live shows [http://www.mishmashmagazine.com/images/weezerhoriz1.jpg]. The hand symbol has been used for background decoration during live show, and the band now sells an official t-shirt with the symbol on it [http://www.nook-market.com/bizzazz_t/weezer_max-hands.jpg]. The [[Van Halen]]-inspired "=w=" symbol (Van Halen's logo is a flying =VH=), which the band frequently plays in front of [http://static.flickr.com/23/27844462_0e5bebf035.jpg], is also worn [http://www.cinderblock.com/Designs/WZ-SN2-x.jpg] and recreated in interesting ways [http://www.weezernerds.com/av/Covers/Weezer_cookies.gif] by their fans.
== Notes ==
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;" >
<div class="references-small">
<references/>
</div>
== References ==
* John D. Luerseen: ''Rivers' Edge: The Weezer Story'' (2004), ISBN 1-55022-619-3 An unofficial history of all things Weezer up to the year 2004.
* [http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=014f790fbf69f010VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRD&vgnextchannel=67509c643826e010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD Official Biography]
* A.P.: ''Rivers Cuomo Says Weezer Is 'Done''' (2006), New York.
* {{cite book |
author=Searle, Don L. |
year=June 1986 |
title=[http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1986.htm/ensign%20june%201986.htm/elder%20boyd%20k.%20packer%20disciple%20of%20the%20master%20teacher.htm?fn=document-frame.htm$f=templates$3.0 Elder Boyd K. Packer: Disciple of the Master Teacher] |
publisher=Ensign |
pages=8-9
}}
* {{cite book |
author=Packer, Boyd K. |
year=October 1976 |
title=[http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/daily/sexuality/packer_young.htm To Young Men Only] |
publisher=LDS Church |
}}
* [http://gapages.com/packebk1.htm Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages]
== External linksresources ==
* [http://www.zionsbest.com/unwritten.html The Unwritten Order of Things] (delieved at Marriott Center, 15 October 1996)
{{start box}}
* [http://www.weezer.com/ Official web site]
{{succession box
* [http://www.geffen.com/weezer Weezer] at [[Geffen Records]]
| title= [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]]
* {{MySpace|weezer}}
| years= [[April 9]], [[1970]]—
* {{musicbrainz artist|name=Weezer|id=6fe07aa5-fec0-4eca-a456-f29bff451b04}}
| before=[[Thomas S. Monson]]
| after= [[Marvin J. Ashton]]
=== Fan sites ===
}}
{{end box}}
* [http://www.weezernation.com/bboard Weezernation]
* [http://www.weerez.com WEEREZ]
* [http://www.acrosstheweez.com Acrosstheweez]
* [http://weezerjonas.org WeezerJonas: The Official Weezer Street Team]
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