Matt Sharp and Rivers Cuomo have a number of things in common. They’ve both been in Weezer for starters. They both have a tremendous gift for a catchy melody. They both look good in thick-rimmed glasses. They’ve both put bands they’ve been in on indefinite hiatus. Where they depart though is in what happened after their bands’ respective hiatuses. Cuomo, after having revealed perhaps a bit too much of his inner monologue for his own tastes on Pinkerton (even if that’s what made it the band’s best record), decided to remove all traces of emotional depth from his music, and Weezer quickly descended into sad self-parody. Sharp, on the other hand, brought back his Moog-tastic New Wave throwbacks The Rentals a couple of years ago after emerging from his own semi-reclusive period, but never lost the sense of fun that made them such a great (if under-appreciated) band to begin with. more ›

How does a band that hasn’t released an album in six or seven years tour the U.S. and pull in large crowds at venues like the 9:30 Club – all without the financial support of a record label? Two words: Matt Sharp. more ›

Photos by Patrick L. Dunne. more ›