The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Weezer channels its inner Toto
Band, touring with Pixies, gives into fans’ wishes for ‘Africa’ cover
Weezer recently not only confirmed the power of the social-media age, but the band also opened a Pandora’s box for zealous fans to incessantly petition their favorite bands to record covers.
The Rivers Cuomo-led rock act capitulated to one teenage fan’s persistent request for the group to record and release Toto’s 1982 hit song “Africa.” Weezer released it this spring to great fanfare. Naturally, the yacht-rock song sounds great coming from the band known for radio hits “Buddy Holly,” “Say It Ain’t So,” “Beverly Hills,” “Hash Pipe” and “Island in the Sun.”
The decision to record the Toto tune put Weezer bassist Scott Shriner in an interesting spot, considering when the song was released the Toledo native wasn’t necessarily a big fan.
“‘Africa’ wasn’t really my thing at the time, although I’ve come to appreciate it,” laughed Shriner, calling from Dallas. “When I heard it, it was not the kind of song I was moved by.
“But the ‘Africa’ thing with Weezer really makes sense because it’s kind of funny, kind of smooth and it fits us. I was more of a new-wave guy, so I think I would have gone for a Duran Duran song, personally.”
Fans attending the Weezer and Pixies show July 11 at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls will get a chance to hear the Toto cover along with all the group’s hits, including last year’s song of the year, “Feels Like Summer.”
The fun tune, which is from the group’s latest album, “Pacific Daydream,” reached No. 2 on the alternative chart with nearly 20 million plays across streaming services and YouTube.
It marked Weezer’s biggest radio hit in more than a decade.
As for touring with the Pixies, Shriner said they did a few shows together in Canada previously.
“It’s funny — before I met Rivers, we were both at Pixies shows in Hollywood in the early ’90s,” Shriner said. “I think we’ve always thought it would be a good bill. Now they have Paz Lenchantin, the bass player who replaced (Kim) Deal. She’s fantastic and sings great.
“I think the band sounds better now than they did with Kim. I know — I’m not going to be popular with a lot of people. I don’t know if it’s just her playing, but I just think the spirit of the band seems more alive now.”
The upcoming Blossom gig marks Shriner’s second time in Northeast Ohio in recent months. He appeared with The Cars at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in the spring, filling in for deceased Northeast Ohio native Benjamin Orr.
It was fitting it was an Ohio guy filling in for an Ohio guy.
“That’s true, but nobody can fill the shoes of Ben Orr, obviously,” Shriner said. “I was just trying to do my best and come in and help the guys out. When Ric (Ocasek) called me, I was jumping up and down with excitement. The Cars are in my top 10 bands of all time, for sure.
“The Rock Hall was amazing. Playing was just an unbelievable honor. I was just trying not to smile and stare at the other guys. Like Elliot (Easton) when he was playing some killer solo, and then Greg (Hawkes) comes in with his keyboard parts that have haunted me my whole life. I’m standing next to him just like trying to keep my mouth shut. It blew me away.”
When it’s mentioned Weezer will be induction eligible beginning with the Class of 2019, Shriner said he likes the band’s chances. Not only does Weezer have a relationship with the Rock Hall, but he noted its flying W Weezer stage sign hung in the venue for a while.
Perhaps that’s been the band’s plan all along, using the sign as some sort of silent campaign?
“That’s right, exactly,” Shriner laughed. “Just to put it in everybody’s head.”