Archived: Oct 23, 2006

> Arts & Entertainment

Weezer defies 'Man Law'

Is the rock group actually better than Bon Jovi?

By Christy Brownfield

  • E-mail
  • Print
  • Share on Facebook
  • Seed Newsvine
  • Text size: Normal Larger Largest

The alternative rock band Weezer made waves Friday Sept. 29 by filing a lawsuit against Miller Brewing Co. The band, which reached Billboard success recently with “Beverley Hills” and “Perfect Situation,” has been on a musical rollercoaster since releasing their first album, “Weezer,” known also as the “Blue Album.” “Blue,” Weezer’s all-time best selling album, was well received by critics and has a slew of awards to its name.

The band’s sophomore album, “Pinkerton,” was initially viewed as a commercial failure, but developed a cult following and is seen as lead vocalist Rivers Cuomo’s artistic climax. The album was eventually validated by Rolling Stone Magazine who first labeled it “one of the worst albums of 1996.”

“Weezer,” the group’s self-titled third album, more widely known as the “Green Album” included hit singles “Hash Pipe” and “Island in the Sun.” Both singles were heavily rotated on MTV, with “Hash Pipe” censored to “Half Pipe” due to its drug-related title.

The year after the release of the “Green Album” in 2001, “Maladroit” hit stores to become Weezer’s worst-selling album. Weezer notably created a music video for “Keep Fishin,’” off of “Maladroit,” which starred the Muppets and was also frequently played on MTV.

Perhaps it was in effort to gain back some of their original fans that Weezer announced in the Miller lawsuit that they “do not wish to be associated [with Bon Jovi, Audioslave, Elvis Presley, Devo or Incubus] in any advertisement.” The lawsuit seeks damages equal to three times the revenue from the advertisements.

Weezer says they have been “damaged in an amount … believed to be in the millions of dollars.” The lawsuit specifically lists complaints for violation of right of publicity, false designation or representation, trademark infringement and accounting. Another part of the lawsuit states that the band did not wish to be in an advertisement in support of alcoholic beverages.

Hopefully those who care will not have to wait too long to find out which law wins: “Man Law” or California law.

> Comments

> Related

> Also By Christy Brownfield