Rivers' Edge: The Weezer Story

by John D. Luerssen

Infighting, power struggles, membership firings and resignations, lawsuits, settlements, non-disclosure agreements, oddball behavior, and, most importantly, fabulous rock music. Welcome to Weezer’s weird world, steered by brainchild Rivers Cuomo ― perhaps the world’s most unlikely rock star. Exhaustively researched, Rivers’’Edge documents the rise of the band from Cuomo’s beginnings as a failure on Hollywood’s hair metal scene to his reinvention of himself as the undeniable ruler of Weezer. Luerssen uncovers what really happened during Weezer’s strange hiatus and subsequent re-emergence in 2000, which was one of the most successful comebacks in music history. Through key interviews with friends, associates, members of Weezer, and bandmates in their solo projects, Rivers’ Edge is a must-own for any Weezer fan.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Music, History

300 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

i used to be a big 'ol weezer fan. HUGE. we're talking going on fan sites just to gossip about the latest demo with other weezer fans kind of fan. so when i saw this book in a clearance section, it was too tempting.

and i wouldn't recommend it, unless you currently are, or used to be an obsessive kind of fan. it gets really in depth in places that it shouldn't, and then doesn't dish the dirt you *really* want to know.

[Lloyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers bios and very beginnings of the band up until after the recording of their album Maladroit.

A lot of great and interesting info here but like many fans and critics say, it leaves you feelings like THE book on Weezer has yet to be written.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ultimate guide to information about not only Rivers Cuomo, but Weezer in general. A complete history of behind the scenes up until 2004. Highly Recommended for ALL Weezer fans!!

[Leon Vastatosaurikis]

Rivving Cummo make as a baork! fit yogurt effect!

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the only Weezer bio available, River's Edge: The Weezer Story will suffice for the obsessive. You get a basic history of the band and some interesting facts of about River's childhood and pre-Weezer days. It's not especially well-written, and without the direct cooperation of Cuomo, Bell, and Wilson, the author was left to piece together material from other interview sources. Perhaps one day an authorized bio will be released. As a side note: The author mistakenly believes the post-Pinkerton Weezer releases to be as good, if not better, than the first two albums. Wrong. Also, I probably should have stopped reading this once he started covering the Green Album because Rivers really starts to look like a complete jerk and/or clueless idiot. Sadly, Matt Sharp doesn't seem too cool either.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

This mightily detailed Weezer chronicle includes everything from session track listings to specific tour dates. This is a Weezer fanatic's dream. The book is a detailed exegesis of the band's trek through time and space. Interestingly, this also works as a tale of the indie rock everyman charting a course through the unmapped regions of popularity, the corporate music industry and the group dynamics of a band. Although this is an unauthorized biography, it is enhanced by interviews with pre-Weezer musical associates of Rivers Cuomo, original Weezer guitarist Jason Cropper, producer Ric Ocasek, current guitarist Brian Bell and more. Music journalist and admitted "enormous Weezer fan" John D. Luerssen succeeds in that he does more uncovering and investigation than hagiography in this enlightening examination of Weezer unveiled.

[Brandi Barnard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big old weezer fan so it was fun to learn more about the band and all of rivers' weirdnesses. I really did enjoy this book, it was just my wariness on accuracy that held me back a little. Hard to tell what is true and not true, it was written without input or approval from Cuomo.

[David Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the Weezer story is interesting in and of itself, Luerssen spends too much time on The Rentals and the side projects, and without any story past 2002, seems unfinished. Some interesting anecdotes though. Obviously did his research. Can't wait for Rivers' memoir.

[Tom Fuchs]

It felt like twenty percent of the thing consisted of the author listing demo track titles, which is as exciting as watching demo track titles dry. However, it's my favorite band, and it's probably the most exhaustive look at them around for now.

[Joe Matson · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Luerssen gathers an impressive amount of information, he spends too much energy pushing his anti-Cuomo agenda. He conducted a few important interviews, but much of the book is quotes from other, published interviews and a chronology borrowed from Cuomo's website.

[Conrad]

Although I was disappointed with their last album, I am serious enough of a Weezer student to read 500 pages of history on the band. This is for real fans only.

[Jorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://joriesreads.wordpress.com/2012...

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty fun, especially to a Weezer geek like me.