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Revenge of the Nerds

The ''Buddy Holly'' band plays to sold out crowds and plans a new release

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RETURN TO SONG Weezer have reunited

Weezer: Peter Gowland

Whither Weezer? Five years ago, the L.A. spawned rockers were the alt nation's token nerds, thanks in part to the power pop single ''Buddy Holly'' and its Spike Jonze helmed clip. But after their 1996 album, ''Pinkerton,'' tanked, they were written off as a one album wonder -- and lead singer Rivers Cuomo went into a lengthy recuperation from leg surgery. But in an unlikely comeback story, the re-formed band -- minus bassist Matt Sharp -- has just added dates to the their sold out 15 city tour tour (with online scalpers commanding up to $100 a ticket).

''There was always this Internet contingent that was rabid about Weezer,'' says drummer Pat Wilson, ''but I didn't know how that would translate in the real world. It seems we're more popular than when we stopped playing.'' The hiatus, Wilson says, was due to the search for a new bassist (ex Juliana Hatfield band member Mikey Welsh) and interband tensions after the ''Pinkerton'' tour: ''We just hated each other.'' Things have cooled down enough that Weezer hope to record a new CD this fall for a spring 2001 release, and want to make another video with Jonze. And as for the more out there musings about how Cuomo spent his downtime? ''He definitely was showering,'' assures Wilson. Weez would hope so.

Posted Aug 22, 2000 | Order Article Reprints