Rivers Cuomo

Infobox musical artist
Name = Rivers Cuomo

Img_capt = Rivers Cuomo in Thailand. (1997)
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Rivers Cuomo
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1970|6|13
New York City, U.S.
Died =
Origin = Connecticut, Los Angeles
Instrument = Vocals, Guitar, drums, Bass, Piano, Harmonica, Clarinet
Genre = Alternative rock
Power pop
Geek rock
Occupation = Musician, Songwriter, Vocalist, Guitarist
Years_active = 1989–present
Label =
Associated_acts = Weezer, Avant Garde, Zoom, Homie, Goat Punishment, 60 Wrong Sausages
URL = [http://www.weezer.com/ Official website]
Notable_instruments = Gibson SG Warmoth Custom Fat Strat

Rivers Cuomo (born June 13, 1970) is a musician best known as the lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter of the rock band Weezer. He has also worked as a solo artist; he released his debut album, "", in December 2007, which featured home demos that Cuomo has recorded from 1992-2007. Cuomo mainly plays electric and acoustic guitar, but he can also play drums, bass guitar, clarinet, harmonica, and piano.

Early years

Cuomo was born in a Manhattan hospital to parents of Italian and German/English descent and raised on an ashram run by the late yoga master Sri Swami Satchidananda in Pomfret, Connecticut.Luerssen D., John. "Rivers' Edge: The Weezer Story". ECW Press, 2004, ISBN 1-55022-619-3 p. 4] It is a myth that the name Rivers originates from his birthplace: his mother, Beverly, was inspired to name her son "Rivers" because he was born between the East and Hudson rivers in Manhattan. Her appreciation of the sound of running water further reinforced her desire for this name. His father, Frank Cuomo, was a musician who played drums on the album "Odyssey of Iska" by jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter. Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 3] cite web | last =Yanow | first =Scott | url = http://wc03.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kxfwxqygldae~T2 | title = Odyssey of Iska > Overview | format = | work = | publisher =Allmusic | accessdate = 2008-01-06] For his early childhood he attended a private school on an ashram farm where his parents raised him and his brother Leaves. Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 5] Cuomo's parents moved to nearby Storrs, Connecticut when the ashram (known as Yogaville) was relocated to a plot of land along the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 8] Cuomo attended Edwin Oscar Smith High School, Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 15] Santa Monica College, Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 50] Berklee College of Music, Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 22] and Harvard University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa.cite web | last =| first =| url = http://www.spin.com/features/heythisisawesome/2006/06/060609_rivers/ | title = Rivers Cuomo's Harvard Graduation | format = | work = | publisher =Spin | accessdate = 2007-10-15] In high school, Rivers played the role of Johnny Casino in the stage production of "Grease".cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.riverspodcast.com/podcast.xml | title = Rivers 10.15 Interview with Rolling Stone | format = | work = | publisher =Rolling Stone | accessdate = 2008-01-07] Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 20]

Musical projects

One of Cuomo's earliest music projects was a progressive metal band known as Avant Garde. Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 17] Cuomo played under the name Peter Kitts, Kitts being the surname of his stepfather. The band played several shows in Connecticut. He moved with the band to Los Angeles in March 1989. Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 31] In late 1989 Avant Garde changed its name to Zoom though the band dissolved in the late spring of 1990. Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 37] Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 40] After a series of musical projects in Los Angeles, Cuomo formed Weezer on 14 February 1992 with members from '60 Wrong Sausages' including drummer Patrick Wilson. The original Weezer cast included Rivers Cuomo on vocals and guitar, Wilson on drums, Matt Sharp on bass, and Jason Cropper who at first played exclusively on acoustic guitar. Weezer signed with DGC, a subsidiary of Geffen Records, on 25 June 1993. They began recording "Weezer" (also known as "The Blue Album") in August 1993 at Electric Lady Studios in New York with producer Ric Ocasek.

Like many other musicians Cuomo has had a very close relationship with his fans online. Throughout 2002 Cuomo frequently posted on Weezer message boards as 'Ace' to discuss music with fans. He once had a website called the 'Catalog of Riffs' ('COR') in which he shared old demos of songs as well as scans of many personal items (letters, schedules, records).cite web | url=http://www.weezer.com/discography/RCINT2006/2006RCFI.html|title=Rivers Cuomo Fan Interview 2006|accessdate=2007-10-15 |publisher="Weezer.com"] cite web | url=http://www.weezed.com/rc/old/indexx.html|title=The RCDotCom Archive|accessdate=2007-10-15 |publisher="weezed.com"] Since 2003 he has kept a MySpace page in which he has posted many blog entries including his original admission essay and two subsequent readmission essays to Harvard. Additionally he uses his MySpace blog as a clearinghouse for clarifications, corrections, and addenda to interviews and press reports about him. (This has included responding to misinformation on his Wikipedia entry.) [cite web | last =| first =| url = http://www.riverscuomo.com | title = Clarifications, Corrections, and Supplemental Materials | format = | work = | publisher =RiversCuomo.com | accessdate = 2007-10-15]

Musical output and techniques

He has been known to use experimentation to inspire his writing, for example, fasting for a day and then writing a song, as he did on "Hold Me."cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Kate |url=http://www.laweekly.com/general/features/i-songwriter/570/ |title=I, Songwriter: Rivers Cuomo and the search for the perfect hook |publisher=L.A. Weekly|accessdate=2007-01-22] Cuomo has familiarity with a wide array of musical instruments: besides the guitar, he is also skilled at the piano, bass guitar (he frequently demoed songs on his own, a la the 1995 Fort Apache Studios "Pinkerton" demos, and can be seen playing the bass in the Weezer DVD "Video Capture Device"). Rivers also plays clarinet (as heard on "Alone" and "SFTBH" track "Longtime Sunshine" and the .com-released demo "Clarinet Waltz"), drums (as heard on "Alone", in concerts during "Photograph" and the new album), and harmonica.

Cuomo has cited a wide variety of musical influences throughout the years, from artists as diverse as Kiss, Nirvana, Lou Barlow, Pixies, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Brian Wilson, and Giacomo Puccini. He took it upon himself to become a student of rock and pop music when in the late 90s, Cuomo created "The Encyclopedia of Pop" for himself, a three-ring binder which broke down the mechanics of pop and rock songs featuring songs by Nirvana, Green Day and Oasis.cite news |last=Eliscu |first=Jenny |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5933454/rivers_cuomos_encyclopedia_of_pop |title=Rivers Cuomo's Encyclopedia of Pop |publisher=Rolling Stone|accessdate=2007-10-15] Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 270]

He is known to perform with customised Warmoth Stratocasters. Throughout his career he has frequently played Warmoth stratocasters that are covered in stickers. [cite web | last = | first =| url = http://www.weezer.com/info/equipment/r_01o.html | title = Rivers: Outlook Tour Equipment | format = | work = | publisher =Weezer.com | accessdate = 2007-10-15] Cuomo also notably played Gibson V's [cite web | last = | first =| url = http://www.weezer.com/info/equipment/r_01em.html | title = Rivers: Extended Midget Tour Equipment | format = | work = | publisher =Weezer.com | accessdate = 2007-10-15] and Explorers onstage in late 2001 and throughout parts of 2002 . Today, he almost exclusively plays a red Gibson SG with the Thai word Farang on it, meaning "a white foreigner." [cite web | last =Atlas | first =David | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/weezer/photos/collection/photo/1/large | title = Weezer: Photo Gallery: Rolling Stone | format = | work = | publisher =Rolling Stone | accessdate = 2007-10-15] The sticker is found on his SG with E flat tuning; a second SG, tuned to E, does not have this sticker.

Relationship with the fans

Posting on Fan Forums

Rivers Cuomo has, in recent years, had a unique relationship with his fan base. Beginning in the early "Maladroit" recording era, Rivers would post on several Weezer fan message boards under the name Ace, which was inspired by Ace Frehley of the band Kiss. Rivers would ask for the fans' advice, treating them often as a producer and often exchanging emails through Karl Koch, and eventually posting on boards himself. Some of the correspondence boardies were even invited backstage during tours to play foosball with him. Some of the relationships with the fans pushed Cuomo's temper causing him to once refer to them as "little bitches," Cuomo being upset with the fans' demands for an older sounding Weezer rather than letting the band explore new sounds.

Playing with Fans Live

Starting on the Foozer tour in late 2005, Rivers Cuomo would invite fans onto the stage to play Undone—The Sweater Song on acoustic guitar. After the performance, fans were allowed to keep the guitars they played.

In 2008, coinciding with the release of Weezer's new self titled album, The Red Album, Rivers and Weezer announced a Nissan Live Sets performance in which fans were allowed to bring any instrument of their choice and perform in a Hootenanny with the band.

Let's Write a Sawng

Other bands

Before Weezer, Cuomo played in various music projects, including Fury, Avant Garde, Zoom, Sixty Wrong Sausages, and Fuzz. During a Weezer hiatus, Rivers formed a musical project called Homie, consisting of what he called "goofball songs" or his "country band". An album was planned, but only one studio recording, a song entitled "American Girls", has been released. Cuomo has contributed to recordings by various other musicians (Crazy Town, Cold, Mark Ronson). He also briefly managed the band AM Radio in 2002 and 2003.

In early 2004 he made a surprise appearance onstage with ex-Weezer bassist Matt Sharp at his California State University, Fullerton show to play two old Weezer favorites ("Say It Ain't So" and "Undone"), a rare Weezer demo that they worked on together ("Mrs. Young"), and a new song they wrote together, "Time Song." Also, Sharp announced that they might work on a collaborative record together. But later that year, Sharp announced on his website that although they had come up with "15 or 16 new song ideas, some good, some not so good" for their new album, their "special brand of dysfunctionality" may keep them from finishing the project. [cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.inmusicwetrust.com/mattsharpletter.html | title = Note To Fans From Matt Sharp | format = | work = | publisher =In Music We Trust | accessdate = 2007-10-10]

Additionally, Cuomo has had cameos in a number of music videos. These include Crystal Method's "Murder" and the video for The Warlocks' "Cocaine Blues."

Personal life

Cuomo married Kyoko Ito on June 18, 2006, a woman he had known since March, 1997. He proposed to her in Tokyo shortly before Christmas of 2005.cite web |last=Chen |first=Lena |url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=511290 |title=Hey, Rivers Cuomo! What did you do for Valentine’s Day? |publisher=The Harvard Crimson |date=2006-12-21 |accessdate=2007-10-17] The wedding was held at a secluded beach on Paradise Cove in Malibu and was attended by over a hundred people, including six of the seven members who played in Weezer (Mikey Welsh being the only no show) as well as notables Justin Fisher, Kevin Ridel and Rick Rubin.cite web| url = http://www.weezer.com/community/news_comment.asp?ParentAssetID=1455490&ArtistID=479&Start=&FullStory=Y&type=| title = 06/18/06 kongurachure-shonzu| publisher = Weezer.com| accessdate = 2007-10-17] The couple have a daughter, Mia, who was born in May of 2007.

Before Weezer, Cuomo worked as a roadie for King Size on their Guatemala tour before recording "The Blue Album."cite web | url=http://www.weezer.com/discography/RCINT2006/2006RCFI.html|title=Rivers Cuomo Fan Interview 2006|accessdate=2007-10-15 |publisher="Weezer.com"]

Some of Cuomo's fashion trademarks include his horn-rimmed glasses and his lightning bolt guitar strap. He has sported a bowl cut, most notably in the music video for "Undone - The Sweater Song." Other notable fashion trends include sporting a [http://muziknews.canalblog.com/sq_weezer_rivers_cuomo_live_eagle_int_1_.jpglife preserver-styled vest] in early 2001, growing a thick beard in mid-2002 [cite web | last =Canova | first =Tara | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/weezer/photos/collection/photo/7/large | title = Weezer: Photo Gallery: Rolling Stone | format = | work = | publisher =Rolling Stone | accessdate = 2007-10-15] and a brief suit-and-tie phase in summer 2002. [cite web | last =Vassallo | first =Edward| url = http://www.musichead.org/concertreviews/weezer/7.26.02/7.26.02.htm | title = Weezer/ Dashboard Confessional: Concert Review | format = | work = | publisher =Music Head | accessdate = 2007-10-15] Rivers has also recently been seen with a short mustache, like in the new video for Pork and Beans and on the Red Album cover. Rivers has said that he grew the mustache in honor of his daughter and that his father wore one just like his when Rivers was born.

Cuomo was born with his left leg 44 mm (1 3/4 in) shorter than his right leg. After the success of "The Blue Album", Cuomo underwent a procedure to correct the condition. This involved the surgical breaking of the bone in his leg, followed by several months of wearing a steel brace which required self-administered "stretching" of the leg 4 times daily; Cuomo likened the ordeal to "crucifying [his] leg." [ Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 148–149] An x-ray of the leg is part of the album art for "The Good Life" single, and the experience inspired him to write the song. Cuomo can be seen wearing the brace on an episode of "The Late Show with David Letterman", which can be found on their DVD "Video Capture Device".

Cuomo is a big fan of soccer. He can be seen as he is shown playing in the "Photograph" video and even planned his band's 2002 "World Cup Tour" around World Cup games. In 2006 he reportedly wrote a song titled "Our Time Will Come" in tribute to the U.S. men's soccer team. [cite web | last =Montgomery | first =James | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1536119/20060711/weezer.jhtml | title = Rivers Cuomo Says Weezer Are 'Done' For Now — Again | format = | work = | publisher =MTV | accessdate = 2007-10-15] He claims his favorite player is Landon Donovan, enjoys watching the Premier League and is both a Los Angeles Galaxy and New England Revolution fan.cite web | url=http://www.weezer.com/discography/RCINT2006/2006RCFI.html|title=Rivers Cuomo Fan Interview 2006|accessdate=2007-10-15 |publisher="Weezer.com"] In early 2008 he played in the Mia & Nomar Celebrity Soccer Challenge and scored a goal in the game. His video for "Lover in the Snow" off of his "Alone" album dealt with this game and his love of soccer.

During Weezer's hiatus between the albums "Pinkerton" and "Weezer (Green Album)", Cuomo had gotten braces on his teeth. They were evidently removed before the release of the "Green Album." Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 280]

It's a popular misconception that Weezer is named after Rivers' supposed asthma. Rivers himself has openly admitted that although "Weezer" was his childhood nickname, it wasn't because he had asthma. [cite web | last =Karafin | first =Amy | url = http://www.tricycle.com/issues/editors_pick/3546-1.html | title = Rivers in the Stream | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = 2007-10-15]

Cuomo has announced that he is working on "an amazingly cool creative project that is just as much musical in nature as it is literary. It may or may not be released by a book publisher. It is not a 'memoir'." [cite web | last =| first =| url = http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2007/08/0845.cfm | title = Weezer's Rivers Cuomo Publishing Diaries? | format = | work = | publisher =Chart Attack | accessdate = 2007-10-15] Rivers has since revealed that the multimedia project will be an extremely detailed account of Cuomo's life from 1992 to May 10, 1994 including photos, journal entries and poems. This period of Cuomo's life will document the formation of Weezer through the release of their debut album. As of October 2007, the tome is already more than 400 pages in length.cite web | last =Heisel | first =Scott | url = http://altpress.com/features/111.htm | title = Web Exclusive: A conversation with Rivers Cuomo | format = | work = | publisher =Alternative Press| accessdate = 2007-11-01]

Cuomo is a vegetarian.cite web | url=http://www.happycow.net/famous/rivers_cuomo/|title=Rivers Cuomo Vegetarian |accessdate=2008-07-03 |publisher="Happycow.net"]

Discography

Solo albums

* 2007 - ""
* Unknown - "Alone 2"

Guest contributions

References

External links

* [http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=513079 Interview with The Harvard Crimson about his Harvard years]
*
*
* [http://community.livejournal.com/rivers_words/ Rivers Cuomo Archived MySpace Postings]
* [http://goinginanewdirection.tripod.com/id10.html Rivers Cuomo on his creative career]
* [http://www.shambhalasun.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2850&Itemid=0 Biographical article in Shambhala Sun Magazine]

Persondata
NAME = Cuomo, Rivers
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = American musician
DATE OF BIRTH = June 13, 1970
PLACE OF BIRTH = Manhattan, New York
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

Rivers Cuomo — Naissance 13 juin 1970 (1970 06 13) (41 ans) New York … Wikipédia en Français
Rivers Cuomo — Chartplatzierungen (vorläufig) Vorlage:Infobox Chartplatzierungen/Wartung/vorläufige Chartplatzierung Erklärung der Daten Singles … Deutsch Wikipedia
Rivers Cuomo — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Rivers Cuomo Información personal Nombre real Rivers Cuomo … Wikipedia Español
Rivers Cuomo — Músico norteamericano, nacido el 13 de junio de 1970 en la comuna hippy de Yogaville, Connecticut. Fue guitarrista de los grupos de heavy metal Avant Garde y Zoom, y líder de Weezer, Homie y la Rivers Cuomo Band … Enciclopedia Universal
Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo — Alone The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo Alone The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo Album par Rivers Cuomo Sortie 18 décembre 2007 Enregistrement 1992 2007. Durée 45:49 Genre(s) … Wikipédia en Français
Alone - The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo — Album par Rivers Cuomo Sortie 18 décembre 2007 Enregistrement 1992 2007. Durée 45:49 Genre(s) … Wikipédia en Français
Alone II: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo — Album par Rivers Cuomo Sortie 25 novembre 2008 Enregistrement 1992 2008 Genre Rock, power pop … Wikipédia en Français
Cuomo — is a surname, and may refer to: Cuomo family, the United States political family Mario Cuomo, a former Governor of New York State Andrew Cuomo, the current governor of New York State, and son of Mario Cuomo. Chris Cuomo, a journalist, and son of… … Wikipedia
Cuomo — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Andrew Cuomo (* 1957), US amerikanischer Politiker, Sohn von Mario Cuomo Douglas J. Cuomo (* 1958), US amerikanischer Komponist Mario Cuomo (* 1932), US amerikanischer Politiker (New York) Rivers Cuomo (*… … Deutsch Wikipedia
Cuomo — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Cuomo est un patronyme pouvant désigner: Patronyme Andrew Cuomo (né en 1957), homme politique américain Christopher Cuomo (né en 1970), journaliste… … Wikipédia en Français

Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

Rivers Cuomo

Look at other dictionaries:

Share the article and excerpts

Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

Wikipedia

Rivers Cuomo

Look at other dictionaries:

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link