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May 15, 2009

Weezer Cover MGMT

thumbnail icon: Weezer Cover MGMT

A very synthesized Weezer put their fingerprints on "Kids," inserting Lady Gaga's "Pokerface" into the mix. Rivers goes it without a guitar but with very big sunglasses and some very big hand gestures. He seems to be having fun, which isn't much of a surprise. The set took place last night at some T-Mobile Party at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. Weezer were working as the opening act, or at least as the precursor, for the reformed Blink-182, who played three songs during their first live set in four years. But they didn't cover MGMT, so here's Weezer:

In case you're more concerned about Blink-182's sounds, you can head to AP and pretend its the '90s again. Or you can watch the "Adam's Song" video and cry your emo hearts out.

Posted at 5:48 PM by brandon in
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82 Comments

it makes me kind of sad that this is an actual direct cover...

Posted by: Christopherr at 05/15/09 5:59 PM  | Reply
Score = -4 Vote up Vote down

Cover wasn't terrible but good lord, tell those girls to get off their cell phones. If I were performing, I would be pissed if people were busy looking at their cell phones. Just my 2 cents.

Posted by: DV at 05/15/09 6:08 PM  | Reply
Score = 21 Vote up Vote down

Considering the event, I'd think those girls are being encouraged to be on their cell phones.
T-Mobile in the house, indeed.

Posted by: Willie  in reply to DV's comment at 05/16/09 11:09 AM  | Reply
Score = 10 Vote up Vote down

he looks really uncomfortable without a guitar.

Posted by: Mustafa profile link at 05/15/09 6:17 PM  | Reply
Score = 19 Vote up Vote down

but it's like analog girl talk

Posted by: Mustafa profile link at 05/15/09 6:17 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I was about to close this until Rivers started to sing Poker Face. I knew that someday MGMT would have to pay the consequences of being over-hyped by girls with big sunglasses that come in every single color of the rainbow

Posted by: Diego C at 05/15/09 6:25 PM  | Reply
Score = 14 Vote up Vote down

This is fun and inoffensive, i have no reason to not like this.

Posted by: elmeliac at 05/15/09 6:36 PM  | Reply
Score = 43 Vote up Vote down

did..... he didn't say "T-Mobile in the house" did he? at 0:13?

Because that is the only thing that could make me not like this. Even the Pokerface lead-in wasn't horrible.

Posted by: Elliot profile link at 05/15/09 6:50 PM  | Reply
Score = 13 Vote up Vote down

I'm just glad that they're going back on tour, even if it is in a huge concert venue fashion. I hope they headline 'cause how can Blink even do an encore?

Posted by: elscorcho at 05/15/09 7:01 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

Wait, ppl seriously listen to this band? Really? This isn't a joke? How sad...

Posted by: Jason at 05/15/09 7:30 PM  | Reply
Score = -50 Vote up Vote down

try harder

Posted by: FlimFlam  in reply to Jason's comment at 05/17/09 10:47 PM  | Reply
Score = 6 Vote up Vote down

So they're opening up for Blink 182?

That's like the emo version of the monkees opening for the beatles

Posted by: Black Jesus at 05/15/09 7:51 PM  | Reply
Score = -39 Vote up Vote down

i am almost certain he's taking the piss

Posted by: james at 05/15/09 8:28 PM  | Reply
Score = 8 Vote up Vote down

wow, I knew Weezer was good at ruining things, but I guess it takes a Harvard education to fuck up something like Kids.

Posted by: radmike profile link at 05/15/09 8:30 PM  | Reply
Score = -37 Vote up Vote down

at least rivers lost that atrocious stache.

Posted by: Constantinople profile link at 05/15/09 8:54 PM  | Reply
Score = 11 Vote up Vote down

they didn't do a great job, but it was cool in theory.
just as well, no one in the crowd would've appreciated a good rendition.
blank stares, the lot of 'em.

Posted by: sarah katherine profile link at 05/15/09 9:00 PM  | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

"In case your more concerned about Blink-182's sounds, you can head to AP and pretend its the '90s again."

At this point, I genuinely am more interested in what Blink 182's doing than what Weezer's doing.

I've always enjoyed Blink 182 on a certain level. For what they do, they do it much, much better than the current incarnation of Weezer.

Posted by: makebeeleaves profile link at 05/15/09 10:10 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

Also, "your" should be "you're."

Posted by: makebeeleaves profile link  in reply to makebeeleaves's comment at 05/15/09 10:44 PM  | Reply
Score = -3 Vote up Vote down

the ironic thing is mgmt sing this song live over a backing track. this is probably the first time the song has been performed with instruments live with real instruments.

Posted by: d at 05/15/09 10:26 PM  | Reply
Score = 36 Vote up Vote down

yeah, I lost what little respect I had for mgmt when I saw them supporting radiohead, doing glorified karaoke.

Posted by: Jarvillian profile link  in reply to d's comment at 05/16/09 8:12 AM  | Reply
Score = 10 Vote up Vote down

does liking this make me lose indie cred? its just some guys having some fun and i enjoyed the hell out of it.

Posted by: tommy at 05/15/09 10:39 PM  | Reply
Score = 20 Vote up Vote down

You people care too much about your "I only like indie" reputations.
I like this cover and I don't give a fuck what you people think.
Its not great but it's worth the watch.

Posted by: Mr_Blue_Angel_Dood profile link at 05/15/09 11:10 PM  | Reply
Score = 18 Vote up Vote down

I think I would really enjoy a studio version of this. A smooth, polished sound would be awesome. But I still enjoy this.

Posted by: Igloo McCoy  in reply to Mr_Blue_Angel_Dood's comment at 05/16/09 12:34 AM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

Once Matt Sharp left, this band decided to sabotage their careers. Those first two albums are CLASSIC.

Posted by: douglas fir profile link at 05/15/09 11:21 PM  | Reply
Score = -2 Vote up Vote down

i was so excited to see this! i loved it and it looked like Rivers was having fun. I have to agree with Constantinople about the mustache being gone. i feel like im one of the last weezer fans left...even though their past 3 albums weren't great i still genuinely like them a lot and would love to see them in concert again. thanks brandon for sharing :)

Posted by: snowangel at 05/16/09 12:16 AM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

hipsters are so bad for the state of music

Posted by: indie rock sucks at 05/16/09 1:13 AM  | Reply
Score = -5 Vote up Vote down

thats my bands new name, thanks

Posted by: Shawn Bradley  in reply to indie rock sucks's comment at 05/16/09 11:45 AM  | Reply
Score = 11 Vote up Vote down

Oi, don't jack our name buddy. It's trademarked and we are contemplating a lawsuit. (jk...we like the way you think)

Posted by: indierocksucks.com profile link  in reply to indie rock sucks's comment at 05/17/09 6:53 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

i'd have sex with "hipsters are so bad for the state of music"

Posted by: king.of.kenya profile link at 05/16/09 2:28 AM  | Reply
Score = -3 Vote up Vote down

gross. its just gross.

Posted by: olives at 05/16/09 5:52 AM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

fountains of wayne > weezer

Posted by: wammie at 05/16/09 5:59 AM  | Reply
Score = -19 Vote up Vote down

What the hell is Josh Freese doing on the drums??

Posted by: Tony at 05/16/09 7:13 AM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

Because Pat Wilson was playing keyboards with the rest of the group.

Posted by: Mark profile link  in reply to Tony's comment at 05/16/09 8:29 AM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

lol at the hipsters twittering

Posted by: andreas at 05/16/09 8:18 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

he looks like brandon flowers

Posted by: meg at 05/16/09 10:16 AM  | Reply
Score = -3 Vote up Vote down

OMG! Weezr covring Kidz n Lady Gaga

Posted by: Baxatax at 05/16/09 10:24 AM  | Reply
Score = 7 Vote up Vote down

Oh my. Rivers sans guitar = more awkwardness...

I LOVE IT!

Posted by: WhatsInYourManPurse at 05/16/09 10:39 AM  | Reply
Score = 9 Vote up Vote down

This was slightly disturbing, seeing as I can't hear the word "Lady Gaga" without cringing.
Also, those glasses.

Posted by: Ben Breakstone at 05/16/09 10:55 AM  | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down

I read that MGMT wanted Radiohead to breakup before in Rainbows

Posted by: ikidikid at 05/16/09 12:27 PM  | Reply
Score = 24 Vote up Vote down

I'm trying to decide which version I hate more. Its a close call.

Posted by: This Music Sucks profile link at 05/16/09 2:21 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

wow this is terrible.....

Posted by: joe shmo at 05/16/09 3:35 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

No, this sounds fine, its just so hard to watch. I think he has aspergers or something.

Posted by: Mustafa profile link at 05/16/09 5:17 PM  | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down

I like Weezer.

Posted by: disgruntled hipster no. 416 profile link at 05/16/09 8:11 PM  | Reply
Score = 9 Vote up Vote down

I am Bono and I approve this post.

Posted by: bono at 05/16/09 9:35 PM  | Reply
Score = -3 Vote up Vote down

BY FAR the best part: Around 1:44 when some girl very abruptly stops singing along to receive/send a text.... awesome. so, so lame and awesome.

Posted by: skipkb at 05/17/09 2:18 AM  | Reply
Score = 7 Vote up Vote down

I just wonder what was so unbelievably Important. How did she know she got one anyway - most concerts I've been to they are so loud you wouldn't really know. That goes for the vibrations of a phone on silent..

Posted by: EricIAm.Com profile link  in reply to skipkb's comment at 05/17/09 11:41 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

that isn't weezer though -- no pat wilson on drums or brian bell... it's rivers + ??

Posted by: pete at 05/17/09 2:41 AM  | Reply
Score = -2 Vote up Vote down

tres cute indeed...

Posted by: feli at 05/17/09 4:53 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Why do other bands think that they can cover Kids? Every band has tried and they have all paled in comparison to MGMT, or have sounded like cheap knock offs of the original.

The only good Kids remix, and it really isn't even a remix, is Chiddy Bang's version. But he doesn't even sing the song, he just uses the beat.

Posted by: Carlsbad Danger at 05/17/09 5:27 PM  | Reply
Score = -3 Vote up Vote down

i don't see how it's hard to cover MGMT...all u need is a voice and "play" button on an mp3 or cd player.... it's not exactly prog. or math rock...it's karaoke disco. my great aunt beth could pull it off at your wedding if you'd like....i mean, really.

Posted by: indierocksucks.com profile link  in reply to Carlsbad Danger's comment at 05/17/09 6:56 PM  | Reply
Score = 7 Vote up Vote down

Oh No!
You make no sense!
Oh My!
Its true

Posted by: FlimFlam  in reply to Carlsbad Danger's comment at 05/17/09 10:55 PM  | Reply
Score = -3 Vote up Vote down

Weezer represent everything that is wrong with mega rock bands still clinging on to their major labels.

However, despite their last 4 albums being pretty much as bland as my bottom, I still love them and hold out hope that one day they will create another classic and I can die happy.

LONG LIVE RIVERS CUOMO - THE KING OF....well...the king of something.

Posted by: WalterDisney profile link at 05/18/09 12:07 AM  | Reply
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The second hippest thing you can do is to criticize 'hipsters' on a hipster website.

Posted by: WillBright at 05/18/09 12:09 AM  | Reply
Score = 13 Vote up Vote down

I guess I'm fucked then.

Posted by: Comehomenow profile link  in reply to WillBright's comment at 05/18/09 3:19 PM  | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

This proves that:

1) Rivers Cuomo still cannot carry a note.
2) The majority of Weezer's fans are now douche bags.
3) Hipster does not age well.

Posted by: smooshfacedcat profile link at 05/18/09 12:55 AM  | Reply
Score = -6 Vote up Vote down

1. I think Rivers has always had a good voice
2. which has actually gotten better over the years
3. you're stupid

Posted by: BRAAAAAAAINSSss profile link  in reply to smooshfacedcat's comment at 05/18/09 2:42 PM  | Reply
Score = 15 Vote up Vote down

Who the fuck cares about MGMT? they should be flattered that weezer even thought to cover them!! All you people are overanalyzing this. Just try for once to listen to something just for the fun of it.

Posted by: yourallgay at 05/18/09 5:16 AM  | Reply
Score = 6 Vote up Vote down

Sounds like The Rentals but not as good.

Posted by: OldManRock at 05/18/09 9:11 AM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

LADY GAGA RULZ BUT WHO THE FUCK IS WEEZER

Posted by: jbberwocky at 05/18/09 11:26 AM  | Reply
Score = 5 Vote up Vote down

Troll FAIL

Posted by: Bob Dylan's Dream  in reply to jbberwocky's comment at 05/21/09 1:13 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

How can they sound so good do other peoples songs but not come up with more the 3 worth listening to in the last 10 years?

Posted by: ThunderRoad profile link at 05/18/09 1:21 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

Island in the sun is the only Weezer cover (or song?) that i have enjoyed. For the most part they suck, i feel like they don't enjoy playing music, they just follow a formula that they know will lead to success. Of course who i to say this is even "Weezer" anymore?

Posted by: King of Carrot Flowers profile link at 05/18/09 1:49 PM  | Reply
Score = -5 Vote up Vote down

Irony fail.

Posted by: Lake Trout at 05/18/09 5:22 PM  | Reply
Score = 7 Vote up Vote down

I don't blame them for seeming so unenthused... the girls in the crowd would rather live the moment through their cameras than their eyes.

Posted by: Turkeyshoe profile link at 05/18/09 8:33 PM  | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down

Weezer actually performs "kids" live way-better than MGMT. MGMT don't even play this live, they have the music being played of an ipod.

Posted by: decline of human civilization at 05/19/09 1:46 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

While this isn't great or anything, it's still entertaining enough and about as good as the original. It's just a fun little song, nothing big.

Also, i'm hoping Weezer can make a comeback on the next album. Red was inconsistent, but it had some significant steps forward in songwriting for the band (at least compared to the last few albums. It's not Pinkerton or Blue or anything), and with Jackknife Lee producing, I think that the band could do something really great.

Posted by: OOS at 05/19/09 8:04 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

This isn't the first time it's been performed live with real instruments. Jack's Mannequin did a mad cover of Kids with andrew playing Piano and Synth at the same time.
Weezer are excellent.

Posted by: Lucy at 05/20/09 6:49 AM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

p.s. who would compare blink 182 to the beatles. COME ON. The beatles were actually talented, albiet druggos. Who actually had songwriting skills. Blink need to be kicked in the face.
River Cuomo = King of awkward.
Weezer are still great even if their last 3 albums "suck"

I liked them.

P.p.s. Person who doesn't know who Weezer are. How old are you?


Posted by: lucy at 05/20/09 6:55 AM  | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

Great cover. Although I would've preferred "Electric Feel".

Posted by: Detroit Dutchgirl profile link at 05/20/09 11:11 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I like a good indie-pop band as much as the next gal, but I stopped supporting Weezer when their singles started sounding suspiciously like Sugar Ray songs. Yeah, I said it. Not that this MGMT cover is bad, but for me, they lost their cultural validity years ago.

Posted by: kcbomber at 05/20/09 11:27 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I was center front row for a Weezer concert this last fall and the crowd was going crazy. Nothing makes me more angry than to see a bunch of people watching an amazingly talented and looking like they are still waiting for the show to start. Snobs

Posted by: Jake at 05/20/09 12:40 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

love it. and i especially love the falsetto.

Posted by: retrograyded profile link at 05/20/09 4:02 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Having a great band cover some of my favorite songs to dance to is heaven. Yeah, Weezer hasn't been making fantastic music lately but people can't just start defining and criticizing them by this cover. It just looks like a fun time, I'd be dancing right away.
http://bonafidewithheadphones.blogspot.com/

Posted by: BONA_FIDE profile link at 05/21/09 9:17 AM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

hey that's mint it really is

Posted by: Solveig at 05/21/09 2:33 PM  | Reply
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this guy is literally my personal hero and also: FUCKING AMAZING.

if you like that, haha: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdsejuMA5a0

Posted by: caro at 05/21/09 5:43 PM  | Reply
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guess i'm the only one who actually digs weezer's album post pinkerton. i'm not gonna say every song is mind blowing but there are more than enough great tracks that you kinda have to not be listening or be a hipster snob to not admit that you appreciate it. weezer is a great band, rivers is definitely one of the smartest musicians in rock, and funny thing is i went to see them at kroq weenie roast this weekend, they sounded different from every other band there - no one else has their kind of sound, and they didn't even play greatest man that ever lived, which i think was a humongous step for the band on the red album.

Posted by: william at 05/21/09 6:38 PM  | Reply
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On a more personal note, I played at the Portland Hootenanny last summer, and it was, seriously, one of the best times of my life, particularly having worshipped this band when I was younger. This is a band that genuinely loves their fans, and is willing to risk credibility for having a good time playing music.

Like most everyone, I really don't like where the band's sound has gone the past few years, but I certainly like where the band itself has gone. They're freer than ever, and, for the first time, seem to enjoy playing music for the sake of it. This video is a great example of it.

Posted by: disgruntled hipster no. 416 profile link at 05/22/09 2:49 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

i noticed that there's a lot of girls in the crowd are peeking their phones while watching Weezer. I bet they updating their status on Twitter or Facebook.

Posted by: Eric at 05/22/09 7:15 AM  | Reply
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rivers totally socks up his jeans; it's a fact.

Posted by: thedubscout profile link at 05/22/09 2:18 PM  | Reply
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That was great, don't hate.

Posted by: JettRink at 05/23/09 2:23 AM  | Reply
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Uhhhhh...this sounds *EXACTLY* like how an actual LIVE version of this song would sound.

Blame MGMT for writing a poorly translatable song if anything.

Posted by: BAMLIN at 05/23/09 11:51 PM  | Reply
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Gary Numan on vocals?

Posted by: transister_sistor profile link at 05/30/09 1:42 PM  | Reply
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