Posted on 07/21/2018 7:29:54 PM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
It started on Twitter, as these things often do.
A then-14-year-old Weezer fan named Mary (@weezerafrica) began a public campaign to persuade the alt-rock band to cover the 1982 Toto hit “Africa.” For months, she kept at it, tweeting at the band’s members: When would they bless the rains down in Africa?
Weezer eventually complied, and were shocked when their cover hit No. 1 on iTunes. One of the internet’s few universally beloved comfort food songs, “Africa” is the gift that keeps giving: Weezer hasn’t had a hit this big in almost a decade.
The band is currently in the middle of a tour with the Pixies that hits the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre on Saturday (they are co-headliners, though Weezer plays last). Bassist/sometime vocalist Scott Shriner, who joined the band in 2001 as a replacement for Mikey Welsh, got on the phone to talk about Weezer’s unlikely resurgence, and his former life in the Marine Corps.
The following is an edited transcript of that conversation:
Q: Would you have believed it, if someone told you a few years ago that you’re going to have your biggest hit of the decade, but the bad news is, it’s going to be Toto’s “Africa”?
A: It’s a great story how it started, with a fan reaching out, and us tweeting back. Then we released (a cover of Toto’s) “Rosanna,” that really confused everyone. I guess we were just kind of doing it for us, because it was fun, having no idea it was such a good story...
Video:
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Perpetuum Jazzile - Africa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjbpwlqp5Qw
I think their cover sounds too much like the original. What’s the point?
Next thing you know, Foo Fighters will cover Safety Dance
Wasn’t Weezer one of The Our Gang Kids?
Cover “Africa?” That song still, IMO is one of the greatest of all time. It can’t be covered. Just like Foo Fighters tried covering Baker Street. (Disclosure, I’m listening to it now ironically. Diana I had too may Spotted Cows again).
It’s good.
Weezer - Man, there is a name that I have not heard in a while.
Listening to a talented band like Weezer cover "Africa" makes me realize what an incredible group of musicians Toto was. RIP Jeff Porcaro.
I’m watching the “Wasted Years” video even as we speak.
“We make really great 7 minute songs.”
—Steve Harris
Freegards, ha I swear I heard him say something like that in a doc, so great
Seven minutes? Hell, Bruce composed Empire of the Clouds, and that’s 18 minutes and 2 seconds long. The Book of Souls is 10 minutes and 30 seconds long, and is my favorite off the album.
His point in the doc was about exposure on a mass media platform like terrestrial radio. Today most folks can’t listen to a even a 2.5 min song unless they are doing something else, driving , walking, whatever. With Maiden you have to be into it to appreciate fully, it isn’t 8 minutes of background or whatever. At least that’s what I took from it.
Freegards
I love that a 2018 FR Weezer thread is going Maiden. Pretty funny.
Freegards
later
You do Eric Whitacre Virtual Choir pieces?
Thats a very nice cover, very safe. I like it.. but for something with more of a twist, check this one out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH9FyLsfDzw
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