It was a big-old love fest when the popular alternative rock band Weezer showed up at Rhino Records to sign copies of their new album, Everything Will Be Alright in the End.
The main event at the popular Claremont music emporium was a table where lead singer and guitarist Rivers Cuomo was stationed, armed with a Sharpie and bookended by bassist Scott Shriner and guitarist Brian Bell. Drummer Patrick Wilson was nowhere to be seen, and the guys—known for their catchy hooks and infectious harmonies—didn’t sing a note.
Still, enthusiasm ran high among residents eager to get a little extra while picking up the latest Weezer album. Anyone who purchased a CD or vinyl copy of the new record that day received a poster, embellished with a panoramic view of the Sasquatch on their album cover, thundering down a wooded mountainside. They also received a voucher entitling them to a spot in the long line of music aficionados hoping to meet a trio of their rock idols.
About 250 albums were sold and more than 300 people showed up for the signing, which began at 8 p.m. From the geek-chic of Cuomo’s horn-rimmed glasses to lyrics that are both feel-good and flippant (“I’ma do the things that I wanna do/I ain’t got a thing to prove to you”), Weezer has a laid-back aesthetic. Perhaps this is why the event was marked by order and camaraderie rather than chaos, or maybe it was just good planning on the part of Rhino.
It was even safe for the kids to come out, including 7-year-old Drake Castanada—who got a high-five from Cuomo that will likely serve as an “I was there” story when he’s older—and 12-year-old Jakob Doolittle.
“I’ve been a fan since I can’t remember—since I was 9. I was a very serious fan two years ago. Weezer’s like my favorite band,” Jakob said, noting that the Blue Album is his favorite.
He comes by his enthusiasm naturally, thanks to his parents, Brandon and Jacqui.
“When we were dating, one thing that brought us together is that we were both huge Weezer fans,” Ms. Doolittle said. “When we were dating, we listened to Pinkerton and the Blue Album and on our honeymoon, we bought the Green Album.”
Randy Alle-Corliss, 60, started listening to Weezer about a decade ago. He and his kids, 25 and 27, go to their concerts whenever possible.
“When you’re talking Weezer you have a common language,” he said, adding that he hopes to start a club for the band’s older fans called “Geezers for Weezer.”
Claremonters Rachelle and Lee Silver learned about the album-signing from an article in the COURIER and knew they had to come out. Their sons, Webb School graduates Brent, 23, and Drew, 21, are die-hard Weezer fans. What’s more, both boys, who are in Boston in med school and studying pre-med, respectively, have birthdays this month. Their thoughtful parents will be able to present them with commemorative posters and records signed by Cuomo, Bell and Shriner.
For Stephanie Munson, a ruefully unemployed graphic designer from Ontario, grabbing the new album while meeting Cuomo and crew was a present to herself.
“I’m an old-school fan,” she said, though she noted that she’s already fond of their new single “Go-Away.”
“I really can relate to the Pinkerton album. It felt raw. It’s the soundtrack of my life,” she said. “I listened to it and decided to date my boyfriend, and we’ve been together for 11 years. I missed a chance to see them in Chino, so I feel kind of redeemed.”
Weezer will perform at the Glasshouse in Pomona on Thursday, November 6.

—Sarah Torribio
storribio@claremont-courier.com