W is for Weezer

Originally posted Nov. 1, 2005

Oakland Arena was bulging at the seams Friday night with bespectacled and bemohawked fans eager to hum along with Weezer and the Foo Fighters. Many a thing was to be learned at this concert...many a realization to be made...many a Drew Carey look-a-like to behold. Here's the knowledge me and my trusty black Vans gained straight from Section 107, Row 12, Seat 11:

1. W is for Weezer. The kid two rows ahead of us with the 'fro, whom I named Broccoli Head, reminded me of that about 17 times throughout Weezer's set. For those unskooled, the W hand symbol is NOT like the W for "Whatever." Like the "Whatever" symbol, you must make the W with your thumbs and index fingers. But the differentiation here are the middle fingers. You have to use those, or your W will not be the Weezer W. Next, wave your Weezer W high above your head as you bounce up and down, taking special care to make sure your 'fro bops along with you. 'Fro-bopping is all about volume. Invest in gel. And a Hawaiian shirt. Also, you must never sit down during Weezer's set. Doing so would somehow relate you aren't paying respect. No, stand throughout the whole set. It will force the people behind you to also have to stand in order to see, which will cause the people behind them to stand as well. Pretty soon, you've got everyone standing! How's that for respect? Good job, Broccoli Head. The work of one geek can affect hundreds.

2. Both bands boast some awesome musicians. And by musicians, I don't mean Ashlee Simpson lip syncing on SNL. I'm talking able to switch instruments. At one point, Weezer's Rivers Cuomo ran up to the drums, and drummer Patrick Wilson came down to play guitar. Pretty soon, Rivers, Brian Bell and Scott Shriner were all playing the drums, leaving Patrick to strum the guitar by himself for a while. It was the last night of the Weezer/FF tour, so Dave Grohl joined Weezer on a song and played acoustic guitar. Both Dave and Rivers each did a song from a mini-stage right below our section, which goes to show they keep their fans in mind, because it was an awesome way for us to enjoy some music close-up. Brian Bell also pulled double-duty on keyboard and guitar on a few songs. Impressive. And when Foo Fighters took the stage, Dave hit the skins on a song while drummer Taylor Hawkins picked the guitar. All these guys definitely have musical talent. That made the concert just that much better.

3. You can smoke in the Oakland Arena and not get busted. That's more a curse than a blessing. No love to the three guys a couple rows ahead of us who chain-smoked throughout the entire event. Enclosed space + lots of people + smoke = yuck. I felt like I was back in Mexico watching Sammy Hagar at Cabo Wabo with some dude puffing his cigar in my face. Bleagh...it's just nasty! I understand the "need" to party and have fun at a concert. But c'mon...who wants to suck down your second-hand smoke for four hours? Be considerate and let people enjoy the music.

4. Dave Grohl can scream like a stuck pig. Really, why wasn't this guy ever recruited for a metal band? If you close your eyes, sometimes you swear you're listening to Steven Tyler from Aerosmith. How does that not ruin Dave's voice? Who knows. Props to him, though. He really injects some energy into his show.

5. What makes a band a band? Ask anyone, and they'll probably say the driving force behind Weezer is Rivers. But when you see Weezer, you feel like you're there to see all of them. Not so for Foo Fighters. Because of Dave Grohl's Nirvana fame, you feel like you're there to see Dave Grohl and three guys. In fact, they should name it that: Dave Grohl and Three Other Dudes. Foo Fighters is a cohesive, talented band. But really, Dave Grohl is the band. You could change any of the three other guys and it wouldn't make much difference, it seems. But, I guess that's what happens when famous musicians start their own groups. Like Wings. No one goes to see Wings...they go to see Paul McCartney. Catch my drift?

6. Dave Grohl is frickin' funny. Since it was the last night of the tour, he punked Weezer by sending male dancers out onto the stage during Weezer's last song. First the dudes were wearing what looked like jeans and gas-station shirts. Then, everything came off except for g-strings and strategically placed socks filled with...something bouncy. Too funny! Patrick Wilson was cracking up playing the drums, while Rivers just looked....bewildered. Nice job, Dave. And definite kudos to the light/laser show throughout Foo Fighters' set.

Lastly, even 40- and 50-year-olds like Foo Fighters and Weezer. They were there. They looked somber. They bopped a little, but it was obvious they were trying to hold back. And they weren't accompanied by kids...no, they were there on their own or with friends. Rock on, I'll still be going to Weezer and Foo Fighters-type concerts when I'm 50. But...I won't hold back on bopping.

Rawk on!

Wilit commented: What can I say about that concert other than "Hot Cock."