SOMETHING CORPORATE
Remember how surprised everyone was to find out Weezer were headlining the U.S. Open of Surfing? Well, soon after Weezer announced their eighth album title (Hurley) and unveiled the album cover (Jorge Garcia, who played the same-named character on Lost), we began reading comments that Weezer were totally selling out. Apparently, Hurley (the album) was recorded in Costa Mesa’s Hurley offices, and the band played the U.S. Open, sponsored by Hurley Clothing. On Spinner, Rivers Cuomo claimed finding the right album title was a struggle, “but ultimately, we just went with some random word that doesn’t really have anything to do with anything.” Last week, Hurley (the clothing company) announced their “Hurley Rocks You Back to School” with Weezer—a “fashion and music collaboration” that will sell limited-edition Weezer-inspired men’s and women’s T-shirts and hoodies at selected stores starting Sept. 10. Hmm. So are Weezer selling out? Should we be upset they’re trying to pass off a Lost/Hurley/Jorge Garcia album title and cover as NOT a marketing ploy? From an Aug. 20 Heard Mentality post.
HEARD IT, BLOGGED IT
Some quotable quotes made it onto Heard Mentality this week:
Juggalo Gathering LLC, which produces the Gathering of the Juggalos concerts, on Tila Tequila’s attack: “Although what happened to Tila Tequila at the 11th Annual Gathering of the Juggalos is extremely unfortunate, Juggalo Gathering LLC and Insane Clown Posse are not responsible. Ms. Tequila was made aware, in advance, of her unpopularity with many Juggalos at the Gathering, but she insisted on performing.” Aug. 18.
Singer/songwriter Owl City on touring with John Mayer: “It’s sorta like when you put on a fresh pair of sweat pants right after they come out of the dryer. It’s inspiring, compelling, refreshing, gripping, spellbinding and, of course, leg-warming, among other things.” Aug. 19.
Two Guns lead singer Kevin Poush on the song “The Strays” playing on the season finale of Jersey Shore and turning it into the band’s top-selling song on iTunes: “Apparently, the show is receiving 5 million viewers each week, so I’m sure that helps the cause!” Aug. 20.
On the Cannibal & the Headhunters’ “Land of 1,000 Dances” Fullerton roots, according to Bobby Jaramillo in the book Chicano Soul: Recordings & History of an American Culture by Ruben Molina: “We started doing ‘Land of 1,000 Dances’ the way Chris Kenner did it, then while we were rehearsing at the Rhythm Room in Fullerton, it all changed. . . . The band started playing, and Frankie went blank, the band kept going over the intro, and then he finally started going, ‘Na, na, na, na, na . . . na, na, na, na, na, na.’” Aug. 23, by Gabriel San Roman.
Drummer/sometimes-guitarist Pat Wilson on Weezer selling out—er, working with clothing line Hurley: “It was swell working with the good people at Hurley on our first adventure into a clothing line. My favorite piece we’ve created is the zip-up hoodie—especially for those cool fall nights.” Aug. 20.
