Digital Booklet - Pinkerton

THIS AINT NO BUTTERFLY GIRL - MAKING PINKERTON AND MORE Pinkerton starts with “Tired Of Sex” and the origins of Pinkerton start there too, it being the earliest post Blue album demo that made it to Weezer’s second album. The demo was made in December 1993, after the Blue Album was completed, but before it was even released. By February 1995, midway thru the endless Blue Album touring, Rivers had an idea of what the second album would be. He recorded a series of new demos at his mom’s house and at an unplanned extended tour stay in Hamburg, Germany, combined them with several older demos he had recorded up to that point, put it all into a specific order and called it “Songs From The Black Hole”. This he pitched to the band for the blueprint for Weezer #2. “Black Hole” was a ‘space opera’, inspired by rock musicals of the past, especially “Jesus Christ Superstar”. The story was a clever one that infused Rivers’ own concerns about rock success vs. quiet home/school life into the tale of young space recruits and their galaxy wide mission, and the drama that unfolds between the characters during the long months together in a small craft (kind of like a band in a van/bus for 15 months). It was quite bold and ambitious for a new band’s second album, but Weezer had two things on their side: their sudden growing success, and a prior pledge from their label allowing them to produce their second record on their own. In any event, once the concept was laid out, more demos came, and by summer’s end, the band was ready to

get off the road and make a new album. But this would be no ordinary recording session. Recording started at Electric Lady Studios in August ’95. The band worked on “Tired of Sex”, “No Other One”, “Getchoo”, “Why Bother”, “Waiting On You”, “Devotion”, “You Gave Your Love To Me Softly”, “Blast Off!”, “You Won’t Get With Me Tonight”, and “Longtime Sunshine”. It’s interesting that of the songs started, none of the songs specifically written for The Black Hole (the last three just listed) made it past this stage of recording. Perhaps this was an early sign that The Black Hole wasn’t destined to be. Overdubs were worked on at Fort Apache in Boston in September, and then Rivers started school at Harvard – interrupting the recording process until January ’96, and (unbeknownst to all at the time) effectively blowing The Black Hole plan to bits. Rivers had extensive and painful surgery back in March ‘95 to lengthen his leg, correcting a congenital problem and allowing him to again do many things that had become painful due to bone deterioration. However the healing process was much slower than anticipated, and so he started college limping around with a cane and a painful metal contraption bolted to his leg. This condition persisted throughout his whole 1st year at school, and this combined with the events of his social life (or lack thereof due to his self consciousness about his

condition) provided a whole new tone for his songwriting – darker, more visceral and exposed, less playful. In January the band convened at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, and worked on the new songs “Pink Triangle” and “El Scorcho,” and they revamped most of the songs started in New York. Tellingly, while “Superfriend”, “She’s Had A Girl” and “Dude We’re Finally Landing” (Black Hole songs) were attempted, these recordings were then shelved (in the case of “Superfriend,” completely erased). This was a sign perhaps that The Black Hole energy was now fading as this new kind of energy was growing. No one knew where things were going, but everyone loved the power of the new songs. More work was done at Fort Apache during Rivers’ spring break, and by May ’96 the band was back at Sound City, this time with Dave Friedmann engineering, in for Joe Barresi. By now, Rivers, leg healed, had the rest of the album written and had solidified the new concept of the album, likening his own struggles and adventures with leg/emotions/ girls/rock stardom to the story of Lieutenant Pinkerton, the flawed protagonist of Puccini’s 1904 opera “Madama Butterfly.” Opera and classical music had taken center stage in Rivers’ writing inspirations over the school year. That influence was serendipitously stoked up with a February ‘96 fan letter from Japan that both inspired “Across The Sea” and helped tie together the ideas that would solidify the album. Besides “Across The Sea,” the band

worked on “The Good Life” and “Falling For You.” The intended b-sides “Getting Up And Leaving” and “I Swear It’s True” were also worked on, but not finished. Finally, near the end, Rivers finished writing the final song “Butterfly,” putting it to tape at 6 A.M. the last night in Sound City. He did it both alone and then once through with myself playing percussion. I guess I didn’t mess up too badly, as that version made the album. Recording was supposed to be wrapping up by late June, but there was more work to do so several more studios were employed to continue the overdubs and final parts, as well as the bsides. Rachel Haden came in one night at Sunset Sound Recorders and nailed “I Just Threw Out The Love Of My Dreams” on her first take. (She did an extra few, perfectly, just in case). Meanwhile, the album artwork was furiously worked on in every waking hour not spent at the studio. Then in the 11th hour, while I was back East for some reason, everything moved to Rumbo Recorders in Canoga Park CA for a mysterious last minute session. By this time, Matt had gone overseas to work on his own album, under the impression that Pinkerton was in the can. But Rivers had written another song and needed to try it to see if it belonged on the record. Adam Orth was called in for the session, and “Tragic Girl” was worked on. And then it was promptly packed up, unlabeled and undocumented. Not even a rough mix was made that day, so no one could listen back or in many cases even remember they had worked on it. While it was

a bit rough around the edges it was still 6 stunning minutes of Weezer glory, inexplicably unheard (by anyone) till now. I returned to Los Angeles shortly thereafter, totally unaware there had even been another session. While mixing began with Jack Joseph Puig at Ocean Way, Rivers grabbed studio time in bits and pieces all over Hollywood, frantically adding finishing touches right up to the last second. In the end, Rivers and I barely made our flight to Europe on August 13th – having been in the studio wrapping up the “Across the Sea” intro that morning! Once the album was released, there were several more sessions still to come. Neither “Getting Up And Leaving” nor “I Swear Its True” had been completed for b-side use, and so when it came time for a 3rd single in spring ’97 (“Pink

Triangle”), a session was scheduled at Fort Apache (during Rivers’ Spring break). In fact, the label was not confident in “Pink Triangle” for radio release as it stood, so that was given a tune-up as well. The bass was one of several aspects that needed changes for radio, but Matt was unavailable to come back from his own sessions in the UK on such short notice. So Scott Riebling (ex-Letters To Cleo) was brought in, and Pink Triangle was tightened up. With that in a FedEx pouch en route to mixer Tom Lord-Alge, the guys still had a few more days scheduled in the studio before Rivers had to go back to Harvard (he had deferred his Fall ‘96 semester to tour, but not the Spring ’97 one). So the b-sides were worked on, but never quite finished. As it turned out, no commercial release for Pink Triangle was ever released, and so there was no need for the b-sides. They have remained unissued till now. - Karl Jan/2010

DISC ONE Original Album: 1. Tired Of Sex 2. Getchoo 3. No Other One 4. Why Bother? 5. Across The Sea 6. The Good Life 7. El Scorcho 8. Pink Triangle 9. Falling For You 10. Butterfly B-Sides and More: 11. You Gave Your Love To Me Softly. Originally released as UK & Australia B-side to “El Scorcho” 12. Devotion. Originally released as UK B-side to “El Scorcho” 13. The Good Life (Radio Remix). Originally released as Radio Only Promo Single 14. Waiting On You. Originally released as UK, Europe & Japan B-side to “The Good Life” & on Australian “OZ EP” 15. I Just Threw Out The Love Of My Dreams. Lead vocals by Rachel Haden. Originally released as UK, Europe & Japan B-side to “The Good Life” & on Australian “OZ EP” 16. The Good Life (Live and Acoustic). Engineer: Paul Nieto. Recorded November 6, 1996 at Shorecrest High School. Originally released on Australian “OZ EP” 17. Pink Triangle (Radio Remix). Bass by Scott Riebling. Originally released as Radio Only Promo Single 18. I Swear It’s True. Bass by Scott Riebling. Previously unreleased, rough mix, intended for “Pink Triangle” retail single 19. Pink Triangle (Live and Acoustic). Engineer: Paul Nieto. Recorded November 6, 1996 at Shorecrest High School. Originally released on Australian “OZ EP”

DISC TWO 1. You Won’t Get With Me Tonight. Recorded February 1995 by Rivers Cuomo in Hamburg, Germany. Previously unreleased studio outtake 2. The Good Life (Live at Y100 Sonic Session) 3. El Scorcho (Live at Y100 Sonic Session) 4. Pink Triangle (Live at Y100 Sonic Session) Tracks 2-4 recorded June 20, 1997 at Sonic Studios, Philadelphia, PA for Y100/WDRE. Courtesy of YRockOnXPN.org 5. Why Bother? (Live at Reading Festival 1996) 6. El Scorcho (Live at Reading Festival 1996) 7. Pink Triangle (Live at Reading Festival 1996) Tracks 5-7 recorded August 23, 1996 at the Reading Festival, Reading, UK. Courtesy of BBC Worldwide Ltd. 8. The Good Life (Live at X96). Recorded June 5, 1997 live on X96, Salt Lake City, UT. Originally released on X96 More Cheap Live. Courtesy of X96 9. El Scorcho (Live and Acoustic). Engineer: Paul Nieto. Recorded November 6, 1996 at Shorecrest High School. Previously unreleased 10. Across The Sea Piano Noodles 11. Butterfly (Alternate Take) 12. Long Time Sunshine 13. Getting Up And Leaving. Bass by Scott Riebling 14. Tired Of Sex (Tracking Rough) 15. Getchoo (Tracking Rough) 16. Tragic Girl. Bass by Adam Orth Tracks 10-16 previously unreleased studio outtakes

Original Album Credits:

Deluxe Edition Credits: Produced by Weezer All songs written by Rivers Cuomo, published by E.O. Music (BMI). Disc 2, Tracks 12,13 & 16 Additional Recording and Mixing by Shawn Everett at Zeitgeist Studio, Los Angeles, CA. Disc 2, Track 10 Additional Mixing by Todd Parker at Interscope Studios, Los Angeles Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, NYC Archival Audio & Visual Research: Karl Koch A&R: Evan Peters and Jeff Fura Management: Daniel Field at Boom Art Direction and Design: Kevin Reagan Photography: Spike Jonze, Karl Koch, Mykel and Carli Allen, Kara Bush Production Manager: Monique McGuffin Product Manager: Rob Jacobs Licensing: Andrew Labarrere Legal: Joy Teitel Thanks: Matt Sharp, Spike Jonze, Elena Jensen, Michelle Gonzales, Xepa Digital Interview – 107.7 The End – Blue vs. Pinkerton. Recorded May 21, 1997 live on 107.7 The End, Seattle, WA. Courtesy of 107.7 The End Seattle In Loving Memory of Mykel and Carli

© 2010 Geffen Records. B0012913-02

DISC ONE Original Album: 1. Tired Of Sex 2. Getchoo 3. No Other One 4. Why Bother? 5. Across The Sea 6. The Good Life 7. El Scorcho 8. Pink Triangle 9. Falling For You 10. Butterfly B - Sides and More: 11. You Gave Your Love To Me Softly 12. Devotion 13. The Good Life (Radio Remix) 14. Waiting On You 15. I Just Threw Out The Love Of My Dreams 16. The Good Life (Live and Acoustic) 17. Pink Triangle (Radio Remix) 18. I Swear It’s True* 19. Pink Triangle (Live and Acoustic) DISC TWO 1. You Won’t Get With Me Tonight* 2. The Good Life (Live at Y100 Sonic Session)* 3. El Scorcho (Live at Y100 Sonic Session)* 4. Pink Triangle (Live at Y100 Sonic Session)* 5. Why Bother? (Live at Reading Festival 1996)* 6. El Scorcho (Live at Reading Festival 1996)* 7. Pink Triangle (Live at Reading Festival 1996)* 8. The Good Life (Live at X96) 9. El Scorcho (Live and Acoustic)* 10. Across The Sea Piano Noodles* 11. Butterfly (Alternate Take)* 12. Long Time Sunshine* 13. Getting Up And Leaving* 14. Tired Of Sex (Tracking Rough)* 15. Getchoo (Tracking Rough)* 16. Tragic Girl* *Previously Unreleased

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 2010 Geffen Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc., 2220 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404 – USA. Distributed by Universal Music Distribution. All rights reserved.