LIST: Favorite Weezer Demos

I was hoping today that I would be able to review Songs From the Black Hole today but I still haven't gotten my hands on Alone III: The Pinkerton Years so relax, bud. I'm what you would call an obsessive Weezer fan, as I've heard virtually every demo, b-side, and rarity the band has ever released. Some of these songs I consider to be every bit as good as their album making counterparts. Because of this knowledge, I thought it was only fair if I share every once in-awhile. You all deserve to hear these songs, treat yourself to the offerings below.

Blast-Off!

Imagined as the starting point of SFTBH, the song is a conversation between Captain Jonas and his crew of Wuan and Dondo. Rivers sings all of the parts in this version except for the role of M1 the Robot which is played by longtime Weezer roadie and webmaster Karl Koch. Had the song ever been recorded with the full band Matt Sharp and Brian Bell would have sung the roles of Wuan and Dondo. Rivers has said publicly that he believes "Blast-Off!" is the best melody he has ever written. The end of this song is notable for containing the intro riff of "El Scorcho". This song was performed live for the first time in 2011.

Longtime Sunshine

Envisioned as the closing song of SFTBH, "Longtime Sunshine" is one of the most soulful and amazing things Rivers' has ever recorded. This version is the original home demo with Rivers' playing all instruments. It's always been one of my favorites, I absolutely love the part where Rivers pines to go to an "east coast college with some history". He did eventually wind up going to Harvard (where most of Pinkerton was written). The songs on SFTBH may have taken place in outer space, but I feel like Captain Jonas was always Rivers Cuomo. I don't think in 95-96 Rivers recorded anything that wasn't auto-biographical in some way. This song was performed live for the first time in 2011.

Paperface

A demo recorded even before the release of The Blue Album, "Paperface" is obviously a rip-off of the Pixies from a very young band. It's got so much raw energy that Weezer really hasn't displayed since. It's likely their fastest and heaviest song which is amazing considering it was recorded sometime in 93.

Souvenirs, Novelties, Party Tricks

Quite possibly the strangest song Rivers has ever recorded. I believe this to be another solo demo because all of the backup vocals are also performed by Rivers. As far as I know it's the only Weezer song that references dog poo in some way.

Let's Sew Our Pants Together

From the same demo tape sent to Geffen as "Paperface", "Let's Sew Our Pants Together" is another energetic song from a very young band. I think had this song had ever been properly recorded some of the lyrics would have been changed because the song is silly even for weezer. "You want poetry and I want to go to the bathroom" Really Rivers? Even so, it's a great song with a better melody. There's also some great guitar work here and the solo might be one of the top 10 in the entire Weezer catalog.