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Weezer in Austin

Photos by Jaime Butler

Weezer
Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
Austin, TX
June 7

“Which album do you like more?
“Lucky you don’t have to choose. You get both.”

Ah, the eternal question: Blue Album or Pinkerton ? Yes, Weezer isn’t JUST two of the greatest records of the 90s: they’ve released nine albums, sold millions, made music videos with Muppets and the Fonz . . . but seriously, Blue Album or Pinkerton ?

Is this fair? Probably not. This is neither the time nor the place for that debate. But June 7 at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater in Austin was both the time and the place to take in the second night of Weezer’s Memories tour, which consists of two nights, two shows, and one album played in its entirety each night.

The Knux provided an energetic opener to the sold-out, sweating masses. And when the four members of Weezer stepped on stage, in front of quite possibly the same giant winged W from the mid-90s, everyone erupted.

Before jumping into Pinkerton, fans were treated to a set of songs going back in time, starting with “Memories” off last year’s Hurley, to “Only in Dreams” finishing the set. In between were well-known tracks like “Perfect Situation” and “Hash Pipe,” and obscure gems like “Susanne” and “You Gave Your Love to Me Softly.”

After a brief intermission, the first screeches of “Tired of Sex” tore through the speakers, and we were off. With a spry Rivers Cuomo leading the way, the band got into every note. By the time “Why Bother?” started, not a pair of feet was standing idly, contrasted with “Across the Sea” almost providing a breather for the frenetic crowd, almost. The whole mass was vocal and none more so than “The Good Life” and “El Scorcho.”

Hearing songs like “Falling for You” and “No Other One” that don’t see the light of day often was a treat, but as Pinkerton is only ten tracks long, that treat was over far too soon. And once “Butterfly” faded from the speakers, Weezer was off the stage and the show was over. But what a great trip down “Memory” lane it was.