Rivers Cuomo
203079
225545247
2008-07-14T06:38:38Z
Jahosafex
6356124
/* Musical output and techniques */ changed epiphone gibson sg to gibson sg, have seen the guitars up close, they are definately gibson and not epiphones
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| Name = Rivers Cuomo
| Img = Rivers Cuomo in Thailand.jpg
| Img_capt = Rivers Cuomo in Thailand. (1997)
| Background = solo_singer
| Birth_name = Rivers Cuomo
| Alias =
| Born = {{birth date and age|1970|6|13}}</br>[[New York City]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| Died =
| Origin = [[Connecticut]], [[Los Angeles]]
| Instrument = [[Singing|Vocals]], [[Guitar]], [[Drums]], [[Bass guitar|Bass]], [[Piano]], [[Harmonica]], [[Clarinet]]
| Genre = [[Alternative rock]]<br>[[Power pop]]<br>[[Geek rock]]<br>
| Occupation = [[Musician]], [[Songwriter]], [[Vocalist]], [[Guitarist]]
| Years_active = [[1989]]–present
| Label =
| Associated_acts = [[Weezer]], [[Avant Garde (band)|Avant Garde]], [[Avant Garde (band)|Zoom]], [[Homie (band)|Homie]], [[Goat Punishment]], 60 Wrong Sausages
| URL = [http://www.weezer.com/ Official website]
| Notable_instruments = [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]] and [[Warmoth]] [[Stratocaster]]s</br>[[Gibson Flying V]]</br>[[Gibson SG]]s</br>[[Gibson Explorer]]
}}
'''Rivers Cuomo''' (born [[June 13]], [[1970]]) is a [[Grammy]]-nominated [[musician]], best known as the lead [[singer]], [[guitarist]], and principal [[songwriter]] of the [[Rock music|rock]] [[Musical ensemble|band]] [[Weezer]]. He has also worked as a solo artist; he released his debut album, ''[[Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo]]'', in [[December 2007]], which featured home [[Demo (music)|demos]] that Cuomo has recorded from 1992-2007. Cuomo mainly plays [[electric guitar]] and [[Steel-string guitar|acoustic guitar]], but he can [[multi-instrumentalist|also]] play drums, bass guitar, clarinet, harmonica, and piano.
== Early years ==
Cuomo was born in a [[Manhattan]] hospital to parents of [[Italian American|Italian]] and [[German American|German]]/[[English American|English]] descent and raised on an [[ashram]] run by the late yoga master Sri [[Swami Satchidananda]] in [[Pomfret, Connecticut|Pomfret]], [[Connecticut]].<ref name="page 4">Luerssen D., John. ''Rivers' Edge: The Weezer Story''. ECW Press, 2004, ISBN 1-55022-619-3 p. 4</ref> 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]].<ref name="page 3"> Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 3</ref><ref name ="Odysseya">{{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}}</ref> For his early childhood he attended a private school on an ashram farm where his parents raised him and his brother Leaves.<ref name="page 5"> Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 5</ref> 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]].<ref name="page 8"> Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 8</ref> Cuomo attended [[E. O. Smith High School|Edwin Oscar Smith High School]],<ref name="page 15"> Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 15</ref> [[Santa Monica College]],<ref name="page 50"> Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 50</ref> [[Berklee College of Music]],<ref name="page 22"> Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 22</ref> and [[Harvard University|Harvard University]], where he graduated [[Phi Beta Kappa]].<ref name ="spin">{{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 (magazine)|Spin]] | accessdate = 2007-10-15}}</ref> In high school, Rivers played the role of Johnny Casino in the stage production of ''[[Grease (musical)|Grease]]''.<ref name ="aloneroll">{{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}}</ref><ref name="page 20"> Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 20</ref>
==Musical projects==
One of Cuomo's earliest music projects was a [[progressive metal]] band known as [[Avant Garde (band)|Avant Garde]].<ref name="page 17"> Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 17</ref> 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 California|Los Angeles]] in March 1989.<ref name="page 31"> Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 31</ref> In late 1989 Avant Garde changed its name to Zoom though the band dissolved in the late spring of 1990.<ref name="page 37"> Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 37</ref><ref name="page 40"> Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 40</ref> 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 (musician)|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 (The Blue Album)|Weezer]]'' (also known as ''[[Weezer (The Blue Album)|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 'Catalogue of Riffs' ('COR') in which he shared old demos of songs as well as scans of many personal items (letters, schedules, records).<ref name ="RCFI">{{cite web | url=http://www.weezer.com/discography/RCINT2006/2006RCFI.html|title=Rivers Cuomo Fan Interview 2006|accessdate=2007-10-15 |publisher=''Weezer.com''}}</ref><ref name ="COR">{{cite web | url=http://www.weezed.com/rc/old/indexx.html|title=The RCDotCom Archive|accessdate=2007-10-15 |publisher=''weezed.com''}}</ref> 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.)<ref>{{cite web | last =| first =| url = http://www.riverscuomo.com | title = Clarifications, Corrections, and Supplemental Materials | format = | work = | publisher =[[Myspace|RiversCuomo.com]] | accessdate = 2007-10-15}}</ref>
For most of Weezer's existence, Cuomo has not been known for his on stage banter, offering only occasional comment or letting then bassist Matt Sharp do all the talking. Yet in late 2001 and throughout 2002 Cuomo became quite talkative onstage resulting in many strange and humorous statements.<ref name ="strange">{{cite web | url=http://www.weezed.com/page.php?id=cuomoisms |title=Weezer Riff-Raff|accessdate=2007-10-15 |publisher=''weezed.com''}}</ref> The first leg of the band's 2005 ''Make Believe'' tour saw a return to more reserved stage behaviour but that fall's joint tour with [[Foo Fighters]] featured an appreciably more ambulant and emotive Cuomo.{{Fact|date=January 2007}}
In May [[2007]] Cuomo was named as a 'potential inductee' for the proposed Connecticut Music Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web | last =Danton | first =Eric | url = http://blogs.courant.com/eric_danton_sound_check/2007/04/connecticut_mus.html | title = Connecticut Music Hall of Fame | format = | work = | publisher =courant.com | accessdate = 2007-10-15}}</ref>
==Musical output and techniques==
Cuomo has written and recorded nearly 800 songs in his life,<ref name ="COR">{{cite web | url=http://www.weezed.com/rc/old/indexx.html|title=The RCDotCom Archive|accessdate=2008-01-29 |publisher=''weezed.com''}}</ref> either with [[Weezer]], with earlier bands, or as self-recorded demos.<ref name ="RHP1">{{cite web | last =Koch | first =Karl | url = http://weezer.com/info/recording/WeezRecHist1.htm | title = The Weezer Recording History: Page 1 | format = | work = | publisher =Weezer.com | accessdate = 2008-01-29}}</ref> Of these songs, despite the large amount of unreleased material that has been made available by Cuomo on the internet, large chunks of his work remain unheard by fans. These include certain demos for ''[[Weezer (The Blue Album)|The Blue Album]]'',<ref name ="RHP3">{{cite web | last =Koch | first =Karl | url = http://weezer.com/info/recording/WeezRecHist3.htm | title = The Weezer Recording History: Page 3 | format = | work = | publisher =Weezer.com | accessdate = 2008-01-29}}</ref><ref name ="RHP4">{{cite web | last =Koch | first =Karl | url = http://weezer.com/info/recording/WeezRecHist4.htm | title = The Weezer Recording History: Page 4 | format = | work = | publisher =Weezer.com | accessdate = 2008-01-29}}</ref><ref name ="RHP5">{{cite web | last =Koch | first =Karl | url = http://weezer.com/info/recording/WeezRecHist5.htm | title = The Weezer Recording History: Page 5 | format = | work = | publisher =Weezer.com | accessdate = 2008-01-29}}</ref> various songs from the scrapped ''[[Songs from the Black Hole]]'' project,<ref name ="RHP7">{{cite web | last =Koch | first =Karl | url = http://weezer.com/info/recording/WeezRecHist7.htm | title = The Weezer Recording History: Page 7 | format = | work = | publisher =Weezer.com | accessdate = 2008-01-29}}</ref> over a hundred songs he composed and demoed throughout 1999<ref name ="RHP10">{{cite web | last =Koch | first =Karl | url = http://weezer.com/info/recording/WeezRecHist10.htm | title = The Weezer Recording History: Page 10 | format = | work = | publisher =Weezer.com | accessdate = 2008-01-29}}</ref><ref name ="RHP11">{{cite web | last =Koch | first =Karl | url = http://weezer.com/info/recording/WeezRecHist11.htm | title = The Weezer Recording History: Page 11 | format = | work = | publisher =Weezer.com | accessdate = 2008-01-29}}</ref><ref name ="RHP12">{{cite web | last =Koch | first =Karl | url = http://weezer.com/info/recording/WeezRecHist12.htm | title = The Weezer Recording History: Page 12 | format = | work = | publisher =Weezer.com | accessdate = 2008-01-29}}</ref> (songs which he has described as ranging from "drone-y Romantic," "abrasive dissonance" and "riffy pop-rock"<ref name ="RCFI">{{cite web | url=http://www.weezer.com/discography/RCINT2006/2006RCFI.html|title=Rivers Cuomo Fan Interview 2006|accessdate=2008-01-29 |publisher=Weezer.com}}</ref>) and well over a hundred songs that didn't make the cut for ''[[Make Believe]]''.<ref name ="RHP14">{{cite web | last =Koch | first =Karl | url = http://weezer.com/info/recording/WeezRecHist14.htm | title = The Weezer Recording History: Page 14 | format = | work = | publisher =Weezer.com | accessdate = 2008-01-29}}</ref><ref name ="RHP15">{{cite web | last =Koch | first =Karl | url = http://weezer.com/info/recording/WeezRecHist15.htm | title = The Weezer Recording History: Page 15 | format = | work = | publisher =Weezer.com | accessdate = 2008-01-29}}</ref> Recently on Cuomo's MySpace he began satisfying fans need to hear these unreleased demos "in the most legal way" he could by posting sheet music and lyrics for the ''Songs From the Black Hole'' tracks "She's Had A Girl", "Oh Jonas" and "Who You Callin' Bitch?" as well as the Blue Album-era demo "Getting Up and Leaving."
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."<ref name ="Sullivan">{{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}}</ref> 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 (band)|Kiss]],[[Nirvana (band)| Nirvana]], [[Lou Barlow]], [[Pixies (band)|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 (band)|Nirvana]], [[Green Day]] and [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]].<ref name ="ELISCU">{{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}}</ref><ref name="page 270"> Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 270</ref>
He is known to perform with customised [[Warmoth]] [[Stratocaster]]s. Throughout his career he has frequently played Warmoth stratocasters that are covered in stickers.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Cuomo also notably played Gibson V's<ref>{{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}}</ref>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."<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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==
{{Refimprovesect|date=June 2008}}
===Posting on Fan Forums===
Rivers Cuomo has, in recent years, had a very 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 an MTV 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===
In March 2008 Cuomo started a video series on [[YouTube]] called "Let's Write a Sawng."<ref name="sawng">{{cite web | last =Solarski | first =Matthew | url = http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/49506-help-rivers-cuomo-write-a-new-sawng | title = Help Rivers Cuomo Write a New "Sawng"! | format = | work = | publisher =[[Pitchfork Media]] | accessdate = 2007-04-07}}</ref> Cuomo plans to write a song in collaboration with YouTube users suggestions.<ref name="wired">{{cite web | last =Wortham | first =Jenna | url = http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2008/03/weezer-frontman.html | title = Weezer Frontman Taps YouTubers to Write New Tune | format = | work = | publisher =[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | accessdate = 2008-04-07}}</ref> Cuomo has made it a multi-step process. Installments of the series (thus far):
{| class="wikitable"
!align="center"|Date
!align="center"|Step #
!align="center"|Description
|-
|rowspan="1"|March 19, 2008
|align="left"|Step 1 (Attitude) and Step 2 (Song Title)
|rowspan="1"| Cuomo stated the attitude would be "fun." "Poppy, but gotta be tough at the same time."<ref name="part12">{{cite web | last =Cuomo | first =Rivers | url = http://youtube.com/watch?v=thYRy9MBY_c | title = Let's Write a Sawng (Step 1 and Step 2) | format = | work = | publisher =[[YouTube]] | accessdate = 2008-04-07}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="1"|March 21, 2008
|align="left"|Step 3 (Chords)
|align="left"| The song ended up being titled "80s Radio" by user songsforsongs. Cuomo asked for chords to put the song to. Cuomo stated that it will be about an "outcast character" with a certain "relationship to this music" and doesn't care what anyone else thinks about it.<ref name="part3a">{{cite web | last =Cuomo | first =Rivers | url = http://youtube.com/watch?v=K2vDntHjAEw | title = Let's Write a Sawng (Step 3: Chords) | format = | work = | publisher =[[YouTube]] | accessdate = 2007-04-07}}</ref><ref name="part3b">{{cite web | last =Cuomo | first =Rivers | url = http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZgS5m3v27DI | title = Let's Write a Sawng (Step 3b) | format = | work = | publisher =[[YouTube]] | accessdate = 2008-04-07}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="1"|March 31, 2008
|align="left"|Step 4 (Arrangement)
|align="left"|Rivers asked for users to "lay down the drums, the synths, the strings, guitars, flute, oboe, harmonica...whatever you want. make it bumpin'"<ref name="part4">{{cite web | last =Cuomo | first =Rivers | url = http://youtube.com/watch?v=r75Xum-cn7E | title = Let's Write a Sawng (Step 4) | format = | work = | publisher =[[YouTube]] | accessdate = 2008-04-07}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="1"|April 07, 2008
|align="left"|Step 5 and 6(?)
|align="left"|Cuomo asks fans to write melody and possibly lyrics as well.<ref name="part56">{{cite web | last =Cuomo | first =Rivers | url = http://youtube.com/watch?v=P73JHiV47Kc | title = Let's Write a Sawng (Step 5 & 6?) | format = | work = | publisher =[[YouTube]] | accessdate = 2008-04-28}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="1"|April 14, 2008
|align="left"|Step 7
|align="left"|Cuomo asks fans to write lyrics for user danthewelch's melody.<ref name="part7">{{cite web | last =Cuomo | first =Rivers | url = http://youtube.com/watch?v=qlTamyfhz0o | title = Let's Write a Sawng (Step 7. Lyrics.) | format = | work = | publisher =[[YouTube]] | accessdate = 2008-04-28}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="1"|April 22, 2008
|align="left"|Step 7b
|align="left"|Cuomo "steps to the side" as he asks fans to break in to two teams to refine work on RichieStarkey and CapNCrunchitize lyrics. <ref name="part7b">{{cite web | last =Cuomo | first =Rivers | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cbFyL7ktsM | title = Let's Write a Sawng (Step 7'b.) | format = | work = | publisher =[[YouTube]] | accessdate = 2008-04-22}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="1"|April 28, 2008
|align="left"|Step 8
|align="left"|Cuomo displays his progress on the song and asks fans to "Develop" the song further. The name of the song is changed to "We're Turning Up the Radio"<ref name="part8">{{cite web | last =Cuomo | first =Rivers | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnwDskE16zo | title = Let's Write a Sawng (Step 8. Development.) | format = | work = | publisher =[[YouTube]] | accessdate = 2008-04-28}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="1"|May 6, 2008
|align="left"|Step 9
|align="left"|Cuomo asks fans to rework the chorus - namely to change up the chords<ref name="part9">{{cite web | last =Cuomo | first =Rivers | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIHG2AvI11A | title = Let's Write a Sawng (Step 9: Revise the Chorus Chords) | format = | work = | publisher =[[YouTube]] | accessdate = 2008-05-08}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="1"|May 19, 2008
|align="left"|Step 10
|align="left"|Cuomo decides that the original chords for the chorus are best, citing the maxim "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" and while he praises TayloR2D2's suggested bridge, Cuomo feels that the lyrics don't have enough meaning and urges fans to write some new lyrics for the bridge <ref name="part10">{{cite web | last =Cuomo | first =Rivers | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0gCqyVMIjc | title = Let's Write a Sawng (Step 10: Bridge Lyrics) | format = | work = | publisher =[[YouTube]] | accessdate = 2008-05-22}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="1"|May 27, 2008
|align="left"|Step 11
|align="left"|Cuomo picks lyrics from user bleedOrange for the bridge, and asks fans to tighten the track, fixing its tempo variations. <ref name="part11">{{cite web | last =Cuomo | first =Rivers | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDb7o0V_MVg | title = Let's Write a Sawng (Step 11: Tighten the Track) | format = | work = | publisher =[[YouTube]] | accessdate = 2008-05-27}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="1"|May 31, 2008
|align="left"|Step 12
|align="left"|Cuomo asks that viewers make a "Wish List" of what they want done to the song. He asks them to state what they want and why they want it. <ref name="part12">{{cite web | last =Cuomo | first =Rivers | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2wZGUBCmSI&fmt=18 | title = Let's Write a Sawng (Step 12: The Wish List) | format = | work = | publisher =[[YouTube]] | accessdate = 2008-05-31}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="1"|June 6, 2008
|align="left"|Step 13
|align="left"|Cuomo takes a suggestion to add more to the chorus to give the song "more lyrical substance" and make the song less generic. He asks that viewers to come up with a "post-chorus" [[hook (music)|hook]] along the lines of Rihanna's Umbrella.<ref name="part13">{{cite web | last =Cuomo | first =Rivers | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy9C40Vvq0E | title = Let's Write a Sawng (Step 13: Develop the Chorus) | format = | work = | publisher =[[YouTube]] | accessdate = 2008-06-06}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="1"|June 13, 2008
|align="left"|Step 14
|align="left"|Cuomo picks "a hot post chorus" from user TheMarieDigbys. He asks that viewers revise the now redundant bridge lyrics. The name of the song is changed to "Turnin' Turnin'"<ref name="part14">{{cite web | last =Cuomo | first =Rivers | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxAa6k-z41Y | title = Let's Write a Sawng (Step 14: Revise the Bridge Lyrics) | format = | work = | publisher =[[YouTube]] | accessdate = 2008-06-13}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="1"|July 10, 2008
|align="left"|Step 15
|align="left"|Cuomo considers a few more items from the "Wish List", including several lyrical changes to the chorus. The second verse is also modified to remove a reference to "going to school". The next request that Cuomo has is for the contributors to "Chill", suggesting that they take a few months off from work on the song.<ref name="part15">{{cite web | last =Cuomo | first =Rivers | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xROIZC0gdts | title = Let's Write a Sawng (Step 15: Chill Out) | format = | work = | publisher =[[YouTube]] | accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref>
|}
==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 (band)|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 (band)|Cold]], [[Mark Ronson]]). He also briefly managed the band [[AM Radio (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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
Additionally, Cuomo has had [[cameo appearance|cameos]] in a number of music videos. These include [[Crystal Method|Crystal Method's]] "Murder" and the video for [[The Warlocks|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.<ref name="HarvardCrim">{{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}}</ref> The wedding was held at a secluded beach on Paradise Cove in [[Malibu, California|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]].<ref name="shon">{{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}}</ref>
Before Weezer, Cuomo worked as a [[roadie]] for King Size on their [[Guatemala]] tour before recording ''[[Weezer (The Blue Album)|The Blue Album]].''<ref name ="RCFI">{{cite web | url=http://www.weezer.com/discography/RCINT2006/2006RCFI.html|title=Rivers Cuomo Fan Interview 2006|accessdate=2007-10-15 |publisher=''Weezer.com''}}</ref>
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_.jpg life preserver-styled vest] in early 2001, growing a thick beard in mid-2002<ref>{{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}}</ref> and a brief suit-and-tie phase in summer 2002.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 recently helped acquire music rights and provided financial support to a documentary titled ''[[The Dhamma Brothers]]'' about [[Vipassana]] mediation being instituted in an Alabama State Prison.<ref name ="DBros">{{cite web | last =| first =| url = http://www.frizzylogic.org/fl/2007/07/11/the-dhamma-brothers/ | title = The Dhamma Brothers | format = | work = | publisher =Frizzy Logic | accessdate = 2007-10-15}}</ref>
Cuomo was born with his left leg 44 mm (1 3/4 in) shorter than his right leg. After the success of ''[[Weezer (The Blue Album)|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."<ref> Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 148–149</ref> 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 reportedly wrote a song titled "Our Time Will Come" in tribute to the U.S. men's soccer team.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name ="RCFI">{{cite web | url=http://www.weezer.com/discography/RCINT2006/2006RCFI.html|title=Rivers Cuomo Fan Interview 2006|accessdate=2007-10-15 |publisher=''Weezer.com''}}</ref> 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.''<ref name="page 280"> Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 280</ref>
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.<ref>{{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 =[[Tricycle: The Buddhist Review|Tricycle]] | accessdate = 2007-10-15}}</ref>
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'."<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="altpress1">{{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 (music magazine)|Alternative Press]]| accessdate = 2007-11-01}}</ref>
Cuomo is a [[vegetarian]]<ref name ="Rivers Cuomo Vegetarian">{{cite web | url=http://www.happycow.net/famous/rivers_cuomo/|title=Rivers Cuomo Vegetarian |accessdate=2008-7-3 |publisher=''Happycow.net''}}</ref>
== Discography ==
=== With Weezer ===
{{main|Weezer discography}}
* 1994 - ''[[Weezer (1994 album)|The Blue Album]]''
* 1996 - ''[[Pinkerton (album)|Pinkerton]]''
* 2001 - ''[[Weezer (2001 album)|The Green Album]]''
* 2002 - ''[[Maladroit]]''
* 2005 - ''[[Make Believe]]''
* 2008 - ''[[Weezer (2008 album)|The Red Album]]''
=== Solo albums ===
* 2007 - ''[[Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo]]''
=== Guest contributions ===
* 1998 - [[Homie (band)|Homie]] - "American Girls," from the ''[[Meet the Deedles]]'' soundtrack: vocals, guitar, songwriting and melody<ref name="Deedles">{{cite web | last = Erlewine | first = Stephen | url = http://wm06.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:axftxqqjldde | title = Meet The Deedles > Overview| format = | work = | publisher = [[Allmusic]] | accessdate = 2007-10-17}}</ref>
* 1999 - [[The Rentals]] - "My Head is in the Sun," from ''[[Seven More Minutes]]'': (co-written with [[Matt Sharp]], does not appear on the track itself).<ref name="page 257"> Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 257</ref>
* 2002 - [[Crazy Town]] - "Hurt You So Bad," from ''[[Darkhorse]]'': guitar solo<ref>{{cite web | last = D'Angelo | first = Joe | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1455983/20020709/weezer.jhtml | title = Weezer's Rivers Cuomo Records With Crazy Town | format = | work = | publisher =[[MTV]] | accessdate = 2007-10-17}}</ref>
* 2003 - [[Cold (band)|Cold]] - "Stupid Girl," from ''[[Year of the Spider]]'': vocals, songwriting<ref name="YOFS">{{cite web | last = Loftus | first = Johnny | url = http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kzfwxqualdhe | title = Year of the Spider > Overview| format = | work = | publisher = [[Allmusic]] | accessdate = 2007-10-17}}</ref>
* 2003 - [[Mark Ronson]] - "I Suck," from ''[[Here Comes the Fuzz]]'': vocals, guitar, production<ref name="HCTF">{{cite web | last = Collar | first = Matt | url = http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gcfyxqwaldte | title = Here Comes the Fuzz > Overview| format = | work = | publisher = [[Allmusic]] | accessdate = 2007-10-17}}</ref>
* 2007 - [[The Relationship]] - "Hand to Hold," co-written with [[Brian Bell]], a reworked version of the early ''[[Make Believe]]'' era outtake "Private Message."<ref name="bell">{{cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.weezer.com/discography/BBINT2006/2006BBFI.html | title = Brian Bell Fan Interview 2006 | format = | work = | publisher =Weezer.com | accessdate = 2007-10-17}}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist|3}}
== External links ==
* [http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=513079 Interview with The Harvard Crimson about his Harvard years]
* {{musicbrainz artist|name=Rivers Cuomo|id=87b6344f-c874-49ce-a8b3-e467ed6e05d0}}
* {{imdb name|id=1220530|name=Rivers Cuomo}}
* [http://www.weezed.com/page.php?id=rcdotcom The riverscuomo.com Archive]
* [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]
{{Weezer}}
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|NAME = Cuomo, Rivers
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|DATE OF BIRTH = June 13, 1970
|PLACE OF BIRTH = Manhattan, New York
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cuomo, Rivers}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:Weezer members]]
[[Category:American vegetarians]]
[[Category:American Hindus]]
[[Category:Italian-American musicians]]
[[Category:German-American musicians]]
[[Category:Americans of English descent]]
[[Category:American male singers]]
[[Category:American rock guitarists]]
[[Category:American rock singers]]
[[Category:American singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Berklee College of Music alumni]]
[[Category:Connecticut musicians]]
[[Category:Harvard University alumni]]
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