MC: But he’s also got that sly sense of humor.
Shriner: He’s sort of dry, snarky, funny and sarcastic, but at the same time super honest. We always could believe him when he said something sounded good, because he absolutely would tell us when it didn’t.
MC: Since Ocasek had a hand in crafting the original Weezer sound, did he help narrow down the reported 200 songs written to what went on the new album?
Shriner: He definitely was in the loop in terms of what songs we were choosing for the album, but it was always up to the band. He was played pretty much all of the songs that were in consideration for the record.
MC: When the band was recording, did he jump in from behind the knobs and play at all?
Shriner: How could we not have him come in and sing and play a little bit? When he did it was really special. It wasn’t something he would do that often, but if he had a strong idea then he would grab a guitar or play a little keyboard or sing a little bit. So he did get out sometimes.
MC: That’s got to be a great moment.
Shriner: For me, the Cars were one of those bands that changed my life. There were about 10 or 15 bands that were so influential for me, that I felt changed my direction, the way I listened to music, the way I thought about life, and the Cars were one of those bands. Not to sound corny, but I was kind of pinching myself when we were in the studio with him
MC: Let’s talk some more about Weezer’s material. What is the usual songwriting process with band? How are you involved?
Shriner: We’ve had times when we all wrote a little bit together. Rivers is obviously the principal songwriter. There have been a couple of times that I have gotten to contribute; that did not happen on this record. There are times where I’ll make a suggestion, or write my own bass lines, but sometimes they sound perfect the way he recorded them on the demo.
MC: Coming from what you described as an AC/DC influenced band, what are your other influences that make your participation work so successfully with Weezer?
Shriner: I grew up listening to Black Sabbath, which is one of the bands that changed my life, but I also listened to Elton John and the Beatles. Those bands and Hendrix I would listen to, and all that kind of got mixed up in me and made me who I am. I also got into new wave, and I think I first heard the Cars in eighth grade, like ‘79, ‘80, and I went more towards the new wave songs. I never really got into punk rock. I liked metal and I liked new wave. The Cars had that great down-stroke feel, they had attitude, and some weird arrangements that just took it to another place for me.
