Island in the Sun and Weezer's Reinvention

This is the story behind Weezer's Green album. After Pinkerton (the band's followup to their debut Blue album and Buddy Holly) failed to reach the heights of it's predecessor, frontman Rivers Cuomo vowed to do whatever it took to rebuild the band better than ever. This process would take 5 years of painstaking work, with many false starts along the way. But when Weezer returned with Island in the Sun and Hash Pipe in 2001, all expectations were surpassed. But was it worth the sacrifice?
If you liked this video please be sure to like, subscribe, comment, and share with anyone who'd be interested!
Twitter: / marcbutevil
Oh btw, Matt Sharp, Mikey Welsh, Brian Bell, Pat Wilson, Holiday, Say it Ain't So, Homie

[@Luigs_sky7]

The fact a video about the green album is longer than the green album is crazy

[@MarcButEvil]

holy shit lmao

[@mywhitenoise_]

Why? A lot goes into making an album.

[@luisgarcia1337]

​@@mywhitenoise_I think it's more about the fact that Green is just short for an album. Hell, Green is closer in length to SZNZ, which are EPs

[@Luigs_sky7]

@@MarcButEvil ik it's crazy

[@Luigs_sky7]

@@mywhitenoise_ true I just find it funny

[@MCBIGlilRonDogs]

Can you delete this and upload it later? Im busy rn

[@JaydenB118]

yeah same

[@greenlink9384]

Ditto

[@silvanag.w.7950]

facts

[@rattfish]

same i was busy buying the black album at fye and eating colvers

[@nimrod593]

can you delete this and never reupload it? thanks

[@Simoncole64]

Green album is like asparagus because they are both green

[@mykal4779]

hmm good point i never thought about it like that

[@rattfish]

blue album is like my shit because they are both blue

[@Th3D4v3rd]

Red Album is like my pee because they are both red

[@quiastje6316]

Yes! And they both go in the square hole 😊

[@thereturnofglenhaven721]

White is like me because I am white

[@taxicabcole7264]

epic weezer fact: matt sharp never really listened to any of weezer's later works, so when he heard island in the sun at a panera bread while eating a bread bowl years later, he referred to it as "dip dip or whatever the fuck", recognizing it from river's songwriting style and not his voice. this is a reference to the fact that matt sharp dip-dipped out of the band after the release of pinkerton.

[@mtanning]

Wait was the stuff about Penara true or was that all a setup for the "dip dipped" thing? I must know

[@taxicabcole7264]

all true, i believe it's on weezerpedia somewhere

[@seanmckelvey6618]

My man dodged a bullet by leaving after their best album.

[@TonyAnimatesStuff]

@@mtanning it was in a rolling stone article about an interview with sharp if i’m not mistaken

[@mikedavis8008]

​@@seanmckelvey6618He faded to obscurity weezer still out there kicking ass

[@RJWalker-it4ki]

She i on my land till i sun

[@ThePixelated_kris]

I feel like i just fell down a flight of stairs

[@Shard_Here]

*INCORRECT BUZZER SOUND EFFECT*

[@rocketsalad]

@@Shard_Here *CORRECT BUZZER SOUND EFFECT* _BALLOONS FALL FROM CEILING OVER AUDIENCE_

[@heavenly2k]

Imagining rivers just silently eating cereal while a confused bandmate patiently waits ... hilarious

[@catmobile20]

At this point, Marc can DEFINITELY make a whole documentary on a band.

[@glonn]

…and he should.

[@edgarroberts8740]

So, the Black Room era was basically that episode where Spongebob forgets how to make a Krabby Patty and he locks himself inside his house and does stuff like nail toast and eggs to the wall?

[@guyonthenet2000]

Sounds about right

[@Lars-bg1gy]

Except for Weezer, they never left the house.

[@luginess0]

Spongebob never left his house either ​@@Lars-bg1gy

[@8thFurno]

Damn, I wouldn’t have expected a video about an album like Green to be so deep. It goes to show that no matter how shallow an album may appear, there’s always a story.

[@MpanzuSolos]

Except the teal album probably

[@8thFurno]

@@MpanzuSolos There’s the still the story of the Africa cover, but yeah.

[@MpanzuSolos]

@@8thFurno I’m pretty sure that’s the only one

[@Sub_3690]

I’ve been watching all your Weezer lore videos and I’m so happy there’s a new one

[@KageMorghulis]

Rivers Cuomo is living proof that there is intelligent life outside of this planet.

[@westonsgenericchannel]

Rivers Cuomo is living proof that 9/11 was an inside job

[@MarcButEvil]

My favorite comment gets pinned in one week!

[@tlddruidkilla]

Congrats on getting pinned dude!

[@encapsulatedenigma7657]

Commenter I hardly know her

[@MrRatrox]

I would really love to see a video on the Red Album. Geniunely with this video's quality of sources, Red should be at least 40 minutes and we love MarcButEvil content.

[@m00k61]

I saw the Blue Album tour in 95 when I was 14 with my best friend. He passed away a few months ago from an overdose.

[@FireBreatherMP1]

Rest in Peace ❤

[@ryplay08]

I’m sorry for the loss of your friend, may he rest in peace

[@lostfilmkid221b]

That's so sad, may he rest in peace.

[@ahuman1042]

I can’t believe they edged rivers😢

[@RC_991]

His experiments on how to create the perfect song leading to a huge downturn in his artistic output is a real lesson on how creativity really works.

[@michaelgraham9774]

I feel like reaching for complete perfection in songwriting just makes you sound boring. Writing shouldn't be working to perfect a formula

[@Jacob_Hingst]

Rivers was on that cereal grind

[@Rukiman_no16]

He was cerealmaxing. Rivers was on some shit.

That bit about Cuomo ignoring his new bandmate until he’s on the verge of leaving is a pretty clear instance of conditioning for obedience. He may’ve wanted to set the bar for what constitutes convivial behavior that low so he could ensure his future dominance. If you’re a master of “dosage” like that, you can figure out the smallest amount of flexibility and courtesy that people are willing to demand from you. (I think that’s called breadcrumbing.”) Anyway, even if that thing with his new bassist wasn’t an intentional act of manipulation, it’s still creepy. Witholding decent treatment until the last second before it might cost you professionally is so fucked up.

[@midnightswim34]

Yeah it says a lot about Rivers as a controlling, manipulator. Even Pat admitted he’s only there for the money. Why else would any tolerate that type of treatment?

[@Jllyrol311]

Ive always liked The Green Album, but i think the leadup leading to Weezer's comeback is endlessly fascinating. I feel like it's lost to time in a lot of ways. Excellent work!

[@CZsWorld]

I don't know if it's fair to say Mikey ever really buried his internal issues with Weezer considering the circumstances of how he died.

[@Simoncole64]

Love your vids bro, love to see the Weezer love ❤️

[@DonovanE17]

Glad to see you are also a Weezer fan

[@frogonhead]

Nothing better than a half hour Weezer video on a boring Saturday afternoon :3

[@DonkeyBoyVids]

Get a job red

[@frogonhead]

@@DonkeyBoyVids give it to me baby! (Uh-huh! Uh-huh!)

[@FilmCrowStudios]

@@frogonheaddifferent Offspring song but hell yeah anyway

[@johndreemurr5574]

New Marc upload, must stop all I'm doing

[@mywhitenoise_]

It’s like Christmas whenever a new MarcButEvil video pops up.

[@gamergod9182]

I have very conflicted attitude towards the Green Album. on the one hand, it's what got me into Weezer into first place. when I started playing guitar, it was the perfect collection of easy beginner songs: simple chord progressions, nothing but power chords, and solos that you can play with one finger. at the same time, the album only has three songs: Hash Pipe, Island in the Sun, and the rest which is, lyrics aside, is just one song. same structure, same sound, same solo that copies the vocal line, played seven times just with different chords and melody. it's certainly not my least favorite album of them all, but it is a rather dull affair once you get to Crab.

[@jansonrawlings8169]

Agreed! But I do love oh girlfriend

[@FireBreatherMP1]

O Girlfriend is good 😢

[@Remitherat_]

Help I was literally playing island in the sun yesterday and found this channel today 😭 the coincidence is crazy

[@rocketsalad]

Did you by some strange coincidence happen to watch a “how to play Island in the Sun” video on YT sometime before this vid popped up?

[@robroemer]

the green album is a pop/rock masterpiece... one of the most perfect records ever made.

[@DazGuardado]

I love the genuine care and effort put into these videos. It's pretty refreshing from all the low effort Weezer memes.

[@andig7929]

Great video Marcbutevil. You always find interesting topics and I honestly finished watching it with the feeling of wanting to see more. Good job👍

[@BiggestBrianBellKinnie]

i love this channel i think ive watched every weezer & nirvana video ( i showed my mum your channel 🔥🔥 )

[@twovula]

My favorite Weezer channel posted a video about Weezer, so I got a watch the video about Weezer.

[@Pork_Chorp]

I hope marc keeps doing 20-30 minute videos on the green album so I can spend my weekends doing nothing.

[@ivanpavlov803]

16:20 loved that reference, psychic pal. -the end. 🫡🌷🦩

[@vechirni_anbernic]

keep these coming, amazing content, my friend! Seen the previous one, this one and will watch each and every next one, promise :)

[@craftling7710]

THANK YOU! I remember requesting you this on twitter.

[@SMPandanic]

a full video on the GREEN Album.. NICE

[@dtower3316]

man i’ve just binged most your videos and your content is incredible. i would love to see you make a video on the making of there is nothing left to lose, that would be a great watch.

[@tasty_cactus]

8:23 This is nuts, this will forever change how I view that movie

[@JesseNorellMusic]

The concert bill at 16:30 is BANANAS. Coldplay is down at the bottom in tiny font.

[@aqurio59]

Thanks man, Ive been starving all week waiting for a video to watch

[@kupar127]

Mikey Welsh was the coolest person to every weez R.I.P

[@robertgerow670]

I’m so glad you make these videos. I’ve always wanted to know more about the history of weezer, but not enough to do anything that requires more effort than watching a well-made KZbin video, so this is perfect. Also I dig the inclusion of Luigi’s mansion music

[@oboeshoesgames]

I really love the thumbnail for this one

[@catpurrito5586]

his name is sigurd

[@jamesprumos7775]

Great job Marc, can't wait for Maladroit!

[@crispybaboy]

it's been a while marky-poo... I missed you...

[@tedwardle]

finally another marc but evil weezer episode!! i love them so much. they’ve turned me into a massive fan, please keep it up.

[@coolioromeo87]

this right here is going viral, much luck to you!

[@Fadam_red]

Weezer spelled backwords spells rezeew

[@kyletwitch9233]

Reezew is the noise made by a 90s macintosh printer

[@tonightsbigloser]

Weezer spelled randomly is Ewerze

[@thebeatlesandoasis05]

backWORDS???

[@fractaled3129]

Great documentary of an excellent band. Love your narration style too, jokey but not too much. Brilliant stuff.

[@zipzorf8079]

i get on youtube oh nice new marc video i'll watch that later *WEEZER?* i must devote my time to this *THIRTY MINUTES* already gonna be a masterpiece

[@jellef4704]

I'm new to your content and i thought id just listen to your Nirvana videos, but I'm hooked. I went down the weezer rabbit hole with you now I'm finishing up with every video you've done. New but big fan. Thank you for making my mundane job better.

[@aleam.7664]

I was just talking about this with my music teacher! He argued they did sell out and I said "sure."

[@backpack_buddies93]

A Weezer new video. Finally!!! I was waiting for it. I'm going to sit back and enjoy this. Thanks Marc, you made my Saturday.

[@cshliker]

rivers edge 😭😭

[@StevenTurk]

Great video. I wonder why we haven't had an official release of the pre-Green demos that were floating around the internet in the 2000s.

[@TrumanThomasmkayyy]

Love your series on weezer, nirvana, and foo fighters great video!

[@AndrewFullerton]

Did You Know: When you compare the totality of Sonic games to Weezer albums, Sonic 4: Episode 1 and Hurley are 1-to-1 equivalents that function as reference points exactly in the middle of their respective quality curves

[@TheSquabsh]

do not compare trash to all my friends are insects

[@Eric-yt7fp]

what an amazing video. thank you for this.

[@yoduh4077]

liked, subscribed, commenting. great stuff as always.

[@ukrainesupporterv1nce836]

Yay new weezer vid from you marc, this is gonna be great

[@67marlins]

This is surprising.....I never pictured Rivers being anything but modest, and quiet. Thanks for posting- even lukewarm Weezer fans like me appreciate your honest reporting here. Thanks.

[@Driver8takeabreak]

No mention of the East Coast tour in the early fall of 2000? I saw them in buffalo on this tour and it was the most incredible audience energy. everyone thought they were done and was so excited to be there. It was an outdoor stage at a venue that is at the base of the Buffalo airport, so planes flying overhead really added to the atmosphere.

[@ADRIANBRODY3]

Can't wait for the Christmas cd video

[@pixilize9344]

I was literally bingewatching your weezer history videos as you uploaded this. Are you watching me Marcus?

[@Goobers_official]

Ngl I like the green album

[@aikatoma09]

Hip-hip Hip-hip Hip-hip Hip-hip When you're on a holiday You can't find the words to say All the things that come to you And I wanna feel it too On an island in the sun We'll be playing and having fun And it makes me feel so fine I can't control my brain Hip-hip Hip-hip When you're on a golden sea You don't need no memory Just a place to call your own As we drift into the zone On an island in the sun We'll be playing and having fun And it makes me feel so fine I can't control my brain We'll run away together We'll spend some time forever We'll never feel bad anymore Hip-hip Hip-hip Hip-hip On an island in the sun We'll be playing and having fun And it makes me feel so fine I can't control my brain We'll run away together We'll spend some time forever We'll never feel bad anymore Hip-hip (Hip-hip) we'll never feel bad anymore Hip-hip No, no (hip-hip) (Hip-hip) we'll never feel bad anymore (Hip-hip) No, no (hip-hip) No, no (hip-hip)

[@51bgreene]

Solid retrospective. I am a hardcore weezer fan and there was quite a bit I learned. Would love to see a Maladroit video, I think it is their most underrated album (Space Rock, Slave).

[@awfulwaffle1341]

I have a lot of nostalgia for this album. It’s the first Weezer album I ever listened to. I still find Blue and Pinkerton objectively better, but there will always be a place in my heart for Green.

[@heartdoctor042]

i feel as if i spoke this video into existence by listening to island in the sun this morning

[@PhilosopherThom]

Never consciously listened to a weezer song. Barely heard of them. But this video was so good I still watched it in full.

[@SpellisUwU]

rivers edge😫

[@mango-vb5vd]

Island in the sun is very nostalgic to me

[@MarceloDurham]

Another amazing great detailed report on weezer history! Thank you from #mfilesband 😊❤

[@granzgraph7054]

Still sad that the failure of Pinkerton scared Cuomo away from ever writing more confessional based songs for the longest time

[@coltman18322k2]

I feel like saying Okahsick instead of Okaysick is a deliberate troll on me

[@SynthiaVan]

My 10 favorite Weez albums: 1) Blue 2) Pinkerton Edit: it's later in the video now, and i'm feeling bad about what i said earlier. Thanks for the great video.

[@djk1563]

Where’s Christmas with weezer?

[@davidstraub7295]

Omg gotta do a pre-Red one now too

[@cubicpaper]

new marc but evil upload i most devote my time today to watching this video

[@wielkiarts6832]

What happened to your Nevermind video? I really enjoyed it and now it’s gone. I’m working my way through all of your videos because they’re all such high quality

[@eccod]

Jimmy Eat World recorded the song “Hear You Me” as a tribute to the Allan sisters. It’s one of their best.

[@lenajk2004]

when’s the raditude video coming smh

[@JaydenB118]

MARC UPLOADED

[@JM99_Official]

blm live

[@JaydenB118]

@@JM99_Official stop

[@JM99_Official]

@@JaydenB118 im not doing that

[@skrtvonnegut]

I have a love hate relationship with Green, but at the end of the day I'm glad they're still around making music instead of burning out as a relic of 90s rock

[@Joelster-og4pf]

Ayo bro, MarcButEvil just dropped a fresh new video.. hip hip!

[@b.w.22]

As a pretty classic “early” fan of Weezer, I can admit that Blue was really, really important to me but I only heard Pinkerton once, played at an Xmas party by my sister. It took a close listen years later to bring me around. So Green caught me by surprise and though it’s been retconned, Green was widely understood to be not just a return to form but nearly like the actual next album after Blue. I understand why Pinkerton got reassessed because I did the same thing, and it’s true that Green lacks some (but not exactly all) personal lyrics and imaginative solos, but Green reconnected Weezer to its fans in critical ways. While nothing before Blue had sounded quite like it, nothing afterwards really did either: for years there had just been that one Weezer album. Green basically doubled the number of Weezer songs. It also came out the same year as the Strokes debut, so it was timed just right on that wave of “garage rock” bands with guitars and catchy songs. So yeah, context around an album really matters in explaining to others just why Green, now kinda derided, hit as hard as it did: I heard that Strokes album along with Green in Italy, played to me by my younger sister who was studying there. It felt like a revelation at the time, me being unaware that there even was a new Weezer album. Hearing Green after Is this It?, in that place and at Christmas once again, actually brought tears to my eyes. Edit: autocorrect failure

[@TitusAndronicusTheBand]

Ozma t-shirt at 24:10 nice

[@ZoeysRockShow]

OMG a weezer vid? In 2024? I can’t believe it!

[@67marlins]

Another example of Ric Ocasek's kindness, professionalism, and comraderie. I suspect if poor Benjamin Orr had lived, he would have been just as generous and helpful with these younger artists as well. The Cars were from I think a slightly older, more personal and cooperation-oriented generation. Good guys.

[@enriquepastor3626]

Hey man!!! Can’t wait for more Nirvana videos !! Cool channel I’m a new sub😊

[@taibasarovadil]

The loremaster has uploaded

[@meadoofdoof7997]

Yippee more fuel for my Weezer brainrot

[@BlinksAwakening]

It's crazy how all of this really doesn't play out if the world were ready for Pinkerton when it was released.

[@Kaboom-Comedy]

today I kept relentlessly checking marcs channel for a new video because i had a feeling. And guess what? I was right.

[@That1LucaGuy]

Honestly one of your best videos! There was a lot here I didn’t know, even as a big weezer fan

[@weezerfan12]

hey marc Thanks for using my videos as b-roll big guy

[@35YearOldWoman]

Fabulous

[@TeagueChrystie]

Another masterpiece.

[@blehsheesh]

Dude wake up MarcButEvil posted another weezer video

[@lougaru2445]

I was always under the impression that Matt Sharp's connections launched Weezer in the beginning and he had a lot of influence on the songwriting. If so then I think it follows logically that the original deal was that it wasn't supposed to be all Rivers' band, so naturally when it became that, Sharp left. Maybe an OG Weezer fan can straighten me out on that one.

[@jamesiron4010]

Ay, I’m watching videos over here!

[@ufomachines]

new 30 min weezer video les go