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Weezer / Ringside

live in Toronto
2005
live show


Review by: Jaime
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Weezer (Logo)

Published on May 13th 2005

Oxymoron: n. pl. ox·y·mo·ra (-môr, -mr) or ox·y·mo·rons
A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist.

Add to that 'Weezer Concert.'

Never in a million years could I imagine the crowd that was at a show featuring a band with songs that name drop such things as Dungeons and Dragons, the lesser known (if that's possible) members of Kiss, as well as a 5-minute masterpiece based on a sweater. Now, I'm not saying that because you dress a certain way then you're an asshole or whatever, but, entering the venue was like stepping into an American Eagle or Old Navy modelling session. Jocks, preps, prepjocks, as far as the eye could see. I lost count of how many golf shirts my eyes were taking in, not to mention how many pairs of disgusting feet were revealed through the flip-flops that graced the floor. I suppose it's just the same as the black-haired, tight-shirted, tight-denimed and pierced kids that I usually have to spend the evening with, but nevertheless it was odd.

Anyways, we arrived a bit late so we wouldn't have to wait in line, and therefore missed half of the opening act. Some band called Ringside or something I think? I really don't know/care. We saw about 4 songs by them and it was just atrocious. Why do bands just assume they don't need a bassist? It pisses me off very much so that shitty 'bands' such as this get to tour and open for such well established bands like Weezer, but that's a whole other rant.

Weezer took the stage with the ritulistic lighting up of the metal =W=. They kicked things off right away by jumping into "Tired Of Sex." It was kinda weird at first for a number of reasons. Number one: This is my favorite song, so it was somewhat of a let down for them to just play it first; I would have prefered if they played it near the end so that I could have something to look forward to. Number two: This is one of the more energetic Weezer songs, and it just seemed like they were doing their best to look bored. Rivers looked like a statue as his feet were planted for the entire song, though I believe he slightly shifted his upper body to the right a little bit during his solo; nevertheless, it was still absolutely amazing. These guys are tighter than any screamo kid's new jeans.

The set was a great mix of old classics as well as a couple samples from the recently released album. There was much more of a Pinkerton theme than I had expected, so that was much appreciated.

The crowd kept chanting for "El Scorcho" to be played in between every single song. It was rather annoying, and I was very glad that they didn't end up playing it at all.

The band didn't seem to have very much energy at all, at least not like in the Matt Sharp days, but there was still something amazingly captivating about them. Of course, that could be just because you see them on TV every day so it's kinda odd to have them right in front of you. Either way, they played an excellent set in every aspect, from the song selection to the dead-on vocal harmonies; it was everything anyone could have wanted. Minus the akward crowd and the stench of Axe body spray of course.

Set list (I'm pretty sure, and yes, this is just copied from the Weezer site and edited):

  • Tired Of Sex
  • In The Garage
  • No One Else
  • This Is Such A Pity
  • Buddy Holly
  • Photograph
  • Hold Me
  • Getchoo
  • Say It Ain't So
  • We Are All On Drugs
  • Island In The Sun
  • My Name Is Jonas
  • Peace
  • Beverly Hills
  • Hash Pipe
  • Haunt You Every Day
  • Undone (The Sweater Song)
  • The Good Life







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    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 5:17 PM (EDT)

    I hate western society.

    -Not-To-Regret

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 2:47 PM (EDT)

    ok, to start, i dont care what you wear to a show or anywhere, it was just an observation.

    -----------

    "i want to know how this got such a high score if "weezer concert" is like you said, an oxymoron....

    i mean, is that like the score it gets because thats the score you would give a mix tape with that same setlist or what?

    - answer me damnit"


    the score is for the band, not the atmosphere. i thought they were great.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 11:11 PM (EDT)

    God, it never ceases to amaze me how people -- people I usually respect who are cool in general -- fawn over this has-been hunk of shit band. Face it, all Weezer is is commercial jingles. WEEZER IS SHIT.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 10:40 PM (EDT)

    hmmm. no "keep fishin"?

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 10:40 PM (EDT)

    hmmm. no "keep fishin"?

    Posted by Jet on 2005-05-14 21:49:45

    if people are wearing sandals at a weezer show, there most be no energy in the crowd whatsoever.

    do people just stand around and sing along or something?


    We're not all 16 anymore. We don't jump up and down and hit people.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 5:40 PM (EDT)

    Fuck all of you who are too damn brainwashed by Ben Weasel's idea of what "punk" is, and what's appropriate to wear to a show. Once you realize the limitations of wearing "punk" clothing in certian warmer climates, and realize the comfort of flip flops, say goodbye to chuck taylors, black t-shirts, and tight as hell jeans. Hello flip flops, loose shorts, and no shirt.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 9:06 AM (EDT)

    who the fuck wears sandals to a show
    Jesus does. Jesus wears sandals to a show.

    thats gonna be tough to beat as comment of the week... congratulations, that guy!

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 7:22 AM (EDT)

    To the guy who can count 4 Pinkerton songs: Tired Of Sex, Getchoo, The Good Life. Three. T-H-R-E-E.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 2:24 AM (EDT)

    some people want to look attractive and some dont

    some dress in tight pants and some in golf shirts

    no big deal, they are both just appealing to the opposite sex

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 11:24 PM (EDT)

    "I count 4. And that's 4 more than what they used to play off that album so yea, I'd say a Pinkerton theme is appropriate."

    3. 3 Pinkerton songs.

    Posted by ubershep on 2005-05-13 20:25:30

    I like Dungeons and Dragons. Its a fun game.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 2:35 PM (EDT)

    that is almost the exact same setlist as the one in Chicago last week. good show.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 2:06 PM (EDT)

    that is weird they (the band) is not closing with surfwax USA. that is one of my favorite tunes by them.

    they should play Mykel and Carli at every show.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 12:33 PM (EDT)

    No Surfwax USA?

    They haven't been playing it on the tour at all.

    - Kirby

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 12:16 PM (EDT)

    i want to know how this got such a high score if "weezer concert" is like you said, an oxymoron....

    i mean, is that like the score it gets because thats the score you would give a mix tape with that same setlist or what?

    - answer me damnit

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 11:57 AM (EDT)

    As was mentioned, the crowd sounded like what would be expected...Weezer has been a mainstream band since the beginning, and especially since the Green album.

    Weezer has never been that interesting of a live band. Sound-wise they are tight and sound like the record, which on the one hand is good, but on the other hand they present nothing new or different with their live show.
    I saw them a few years ago, post Green Album, and was terribly disappointed by the show. First of all, they played only one song off Pinkerton. Second of all, I can honestly say that there was more energy in their CD recordings than in their live show. For the last few songs you could feel the vibe pick up a little, but for the majority of the show, I could have felt more energy by going home and listening to any one of their albums.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 11:51 AM (EDT)

    it most definitely wasn't a maladroit theme

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 11:44 AM (EDT)

    "According to your setlist they only played three songs off Pinkerton. Not much of a theme"

    I count 4. And that's 4 more than what they used to play off that album so yea, I'd say a Pinkerton theme is appropriate.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 11:34 AM (EDT)

    if people are wearing sandals at a weezer show, there most be no energy in the crowd whatsoever.

    do people just stand around and sing along or something?

    Posted by Eddie on 2005-05-13 11:01:56

    You didn't want to hear El Scorcho??

    At the Minneapolis stop, there was no chanting, but some guy behind me shouted out "GODDAMN YOU HALF-JAPANESE GIRLS!" during Beverly Hills.

    Posted by peilocal on 2005-05-13 08:53:44
    My Score:

    I really don't care what the crowd is wearing at a show. And this is Weezer, not some underground punk band. These guys are as mainstream as they come, so what do you expect to see the crowd wearing? Fucking the Virus shirts and mohawks? Stick to reviewing the music Calvin Klein.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 8:28 AM (EDT)

    who the fuck wears sandals to a show
    Jesus does. Jesus wears sandals to a show.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 5:51 AM (EDT)

    "There was much more of a Pinkerton theme than I had expected"

    According to your setlist they only played three songs off Pinkerton. Not much of a theme.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 4:47 AM (EDT)

    who the fuck wears sandals to a show

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 3:55 AM (EDT)

    Ringside - worst opener ever

    Posted by Allular on 2005-05-13 03:23:04

    Best Weezer set list I've seen so far.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 2:02 AM (EDT)

    No Surfwax USA?

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 12:42 AM (EDT)

    mandals scare me though.

    Posted by Archangel on 2005-05-13 00:24:15
    My Score:

    Score is for fashion reviews on PN.org.