Foo Fighters and Weezer

September 14

Rock at the Frank Erwin Center

Alternative rock bands usually become mainstream rock bands in a short amount of time if their songs have a melodic pop sensibility – such is the story of Weezer and the Foo Fighters. Both bands will be bringing their hooky and melodic, if sometimes heavy, songs to the Frank Erwin Center September 14.

“I’d love to write Motörhead and Slayer songs all day long. I love writing riffs and coming up with heavy patterns, but at the end of the day, I’m a sucker for a sweet melody, whether it’s the Beach Boys or ABBA,” laughs Foo Fighters frontman, Dave Grohl.

Grohl’s tendency to write melodic rock songs is apparent on the Foo Fighters new 20 song double disc, In Your Honor. The two discs may be part of the same package, but the difference between them is like night and day. The first disc is a straight-up, aggressive, anthemic rock album, while the second disc features acoustic songs, a sound they have talked about possibly shifting to in the future. The Foo Fighters were joined by some unexpected artists on this epic double disc, including Norah Jones, Josh Homme and the legendary John Paul Jones.

Weezer is touring on their new album, Make Believe. In the band’s 10 year recording history, each of their albums has been markedly different from its predecessor – whether it’s a sound, a lyrical theme or an emotion – and Make Believe is no different. Make Believe has been described as the band’s most positive or optimistic album...quite a departure from the Pinkerton album they released a decade ago with its lyrical torment and explosive guitars.

Rivers Cuomo is the brain behind Weezer and the source of the band’s multi-faceted personality. Since his rise to stardom, he has both reveled and then run away from the spotlight for long stretches at a time. Upon every return, the musical outcome of his experiences is often unpredictable. Cuomo combines his appreciations for both pop and hard rock and it can be heard in Weezer’s combination of big choruses and loud guitars. Famed record producer Rick Rubin came up with a sleek, layered sound for Make Believe that approaches new-wave, yet still keeps a distance from the new-wave revival. The new album has a brighter feel than any other Weezer album in its sound and in its lyrics.

Tickets for Foo Fighters and Weezer at the Frank Erwin Center, Wednesday, September 14 at 7PM are $29.50, $34.50 and $39.50 (limited number of general admission floor tickets available) and are ON SALE NOW at all Texas Box Office Outlets (includes H-E-B stores in Austin, Bastrop, Bee Caves, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Round Rock, San Marcos and Taylor; Ft. Hood Bldg. #136 and Renaissance Records in Killeen), charge-by-phone at 512/477-6060 or 1-800-982-2386 or order on-line at TexasBoxOffice.com. Convenience charges may apply. All information subject to change. The Frank Erwin Center is a smoke-free facility. Convenient parking is available within walking distance in nearby state and university lots. For more information, call 512/471-7744 uterwincenter.com