THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 16, 1997 TAG: 9701160031
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: MUSIC REVIEW
SOURCE: BY JEFF MAISEY, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY BREAK
LENGTH: 43 lines
ALL THINGS considered, Weezer was a pleaser. Technically, though, it was not a great performance Tuesday night at the Boathouse as the Los Angeles foursome seemed to be going through the motions.
Off-key vocals and slightly out of tune guitars could sometimes be detected in an overall sloppy show. But for the fans at the very crowded venue, none of that mattered much. They cheered every tune and sang along with the big hits.
Still touring in support of their second album, ``Pinkerton,'' Weezer hashed out some 18 songs, many from their self-titled, double-platinum-selling first recording. It was the strength of such songs as ``Say It Ain't So'' and ``My Name Is Jonas'' that carried them throughout the fun-filled evening.
Weezer's trademark of simultaneous pop vocals was executed well by guitarists/singers Brian Bell and Rivers Cuomo. Playing through Marshall amplifiers, they cranked out a much harder sound than the sugar-coated ``Buddy Holly'' jingle for which they are most known. Cuomo and Bell shared the lead-guitar duties, pressing hard on the wha-wha.
For anyone searching for light-hearted, happy-go-lucky entertainment, this was the place to be. The quartet tirelessly played song after song of similar up-tempo tunes. ``Getchoo'' and ``Undone - The Sweater Song'' were two prime examples of the infinite supply of power pop that the group revels in.
No one in the audience left early, as Weezer wisely saved their mega-hit ``Buddy Holly'' for their fourth encore number. It's a no-brainer that it drew the greatest applause of the show.
The Santa Barbara, Calif., punk-rock trio Nerf Herder was just another third-rate Green Day wannabe. With their predictable sound and chord progressions, they created a brand of music about as fresh as used tissue paper. Same for their image and stage performance.
Nerf Herder, which takes its name from an insult spewed by Princess Leia in the movie ``The Empire Strikes Back,'' was another case of reselling a stale product. ILLUSTRATION: MUSIC REVIEW
Weezer with Nerf Herder
Tuesday at the Boathouse in Norfolk.