Editing Weezer (Green Album) (section)

== Background ==
[[File:Rivers Weezer third.jpg|thumb|190px|left|[[Rivers Cuomo]] (pictured in 2010) desired a back-to-basics approach in creating the album.]]
Weezer's second album, [[Pinkerton (album)|''Pinkerton'']], was released on September 24, 1996.<ref name="allmusic22">''Pinkerton Album Overview'' at [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r241030|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic.com]; retrieved on September 6, 2006</ref> With a darker, more abrasive sound, it received mixed reviews and sold poorly compared to [[Weezer (1994 album)|Weezer's 1994 debut]].<ref name="allmusic22" /><ref name="themichigandaily">''Anticipated return has Weezer in the ''Green at [https://web.archive.org/web/20070313132216/http://www.michigandaily.com/media/storage/paper851/news/2001/05/14/Arts/Anticipated.Return.Has.Weezer.In.The.green-1408671.shtml Michigandaily.com]; retrieved on September 18, 2006</ref> Following the ''Pinkerton'' tour, Weezer went on hiatus.<ref name="page 241" /> Frontman [[Rivers Cuomo]] returned to [[Harvard University]] to finish his studies, but dropped out to focus on songwriting.<ref name="page 241">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 241.</ref> During this time, he formed a new band, [[Homie (band)|Homie]].<ref name="page 242">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 242.</ref>

By February 1998, Cuomo had disbanded Homie and headed to [[Los Angeles]] to begin work on Weezer demos with guitarist [[Brian Bell]] and drummer [[Patrick Wilson (drummer)|Patrick Wilson]].<ref name="page 245">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 245.</ref> Bassist [[Matt Sharp]] was absent from rehearsals and became estranged from the band.<ref name="page 255">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 255.</ref><ref name="page 256">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 256.</ref> On April 8, 1998, Sharp announced his exit from Weezer to devote his energy to his band [[The Rentals]].<ref name="page 257">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 257.</ref> It was quickly announced that former Homie bassist [[Mikey Welsh]] would take over on bass for Weezer.<ref name="page 265">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 265.</ref><ref name="page 259">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 259.</ref>

Frustration and creative disagreements led to a decline in rehearsals. In late 1998, Wilson left for his home in Portland pending renewed productivity from Cuomo.<ref name="page 266">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 266.</ref> Cuomo became depressed;<ref name="page 267">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 267.</ref> he painted the walls of his home black and put "fiberglass insulation all over the windows and then black sheets of fiberglass so that no light could get through".<ref name="page 266" /> During this time, he isolated himself and abstained from contact with the outside world.<ref name="page 270">[[Weezer (2001 album)#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 270.</ref><ref name="page 272">[[Weezer (2001 album)#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 272.</ref> He also had braces put on his teeth, further damaging his [[self-esteem]].<ref name="page 280">[[Weezer (2001 album)#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 280.</ref>

By 1999, the members of Weezer had again gone their separate ways; Wilson resumed work with his band the [[The Special Goodness|Special Goodness]], Bell worked on his band [[Space Twins]] and Welsh toured with [[Juliana Hatfield]].<ref name="page 269">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 269.</ref> Meanwhile, Cuomo wrote 121 songs, nearly half of which would become demos.<ref name="page 269" /> Bell would occasionally visit Cuomo and play songs with him.<ref name="page 272" />

Unbeknownst to the band, their fanbase was connecting and growing on the internet,<ref name="page 280" /><ref name="page 307">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 307.</ref> and ''Pinkerton''<nowiki/>'s critical and commercial standing was improving.<ref name="page 281">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 281.</ref><ref name="page 307" /><ref name="college rock">{{cite web | last =Ramirez | first =Ramon | url = http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/06/14/LifeArts/5.More.College.Rock.Albums.For.Your.Inner.Indie.Snob-2915124.shtml | title = 5 more college rock albums for your inner indie snob| work = [[The Daily Texan]] | access-date = October 1, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071023222341/http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/06/14/LifeArts/5.More.College.Rock.Albums.For.Your.Inner.Indie.Snob-2915124.shtml |archive-date = October 23, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Weezer accepted a lucrative offer to perform in Japan in August 2000 for the [[Summer Sonic Festival]];<ref name="page 285">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 285.</ref> rehearsals for the show reinvigorated the band.<ref name="page 286">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 286.</ref> They returned to performing in June 2000, playing low-key shows around Los Angeles under the [[pseudonym]] Goat Punishment, ensuring that Weezer would only perform for longtime fans who would recognize the name.<ref name="page 286" />

Eventually, Weezer performed higher-profile gigs such as the [[Warped Tour]].<ref>[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 292.</ref> Cuomo said: "We went in there fully expecting to be booed and to have things thrown at us. But it was exactly the opposite, people were singing along to all the songs and just going crazy, giving us the best support. And I think that gave us the confidence we needed."<ref name="page 293">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 293.</ref> The response led to further shows.<ref name="page 295">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 295.</ref><ref name="page 304">[[#luerssen|Luerssen (2004)]], p. 304.</ref> [[MP3]] demos captured live on the band's mobile unit and [[soundcheck]]s surfaced on file-sharing services and eventually were released as downloads on the Weezer website.<ref name="page 307" /> These songs are often referred to as "Summer Songs of 2000".<ref name="page 307" />