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Why did Matt Sharp leave the band Weezer?

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Weezer is one of the cherished bands from the ’90s. Their 1994 debut album was universally loved as a timeless classic, while their 1996 second album, initially released as sophomore effort, has gained cult status over time. Although their later work has been commercially successful, it’s often criticized for not reaching the same level of quality as those first two albums.

The transition from Weezer 1.0 to our current version of the band involves a single individual’s departure and subsequent involvement with various other musical groups and performers. Specifically, Matt Sharp served as the bassist during their ’90s heyday, but later left the band to explore other musical ventures. So, why did he leave? Let’s find out!

Matt Sharp left Weezer in 1998

Back in 1992, Brian Bell, an original Weezer member, joined the band. However, he decided to part ways with the group in 1998, citing “creative disagreements” as the reason. Yet, over the years, it has become apparent that there were deeper issues behind the scenes than what was initially disclosed at the time.

In an interview with Rolling Stone back in 2016, he admitted that he wasn’t sure what he should share or keep confidential about the subject at hand. He acknowledged that everyone might have their own perspective on it, and when a group doesn’t communicate effectively, multiple versions of events can emerge.

In 2002, the already strained relationship between Sharp and the rest of the band escalated when they filed a lawsuit against him. They alleged that he was entitled to royalties from their single “Undone – The Sweater Song,” as well as having a 25% share in the first nine tracks on their second album. They claimed that despite each member’s contributions, frontman Rivers Cuomo had asserted sole authorship for these songs.

Sharp almost rejoined the band in 2010

The bassist filed charges against Cuomo (the rhythm guitarist), Brian Bell, and Patrick Wilson, alleging breach of trust and poor legal advice. However, the case was ultimately resolved outside of court, with no specifics disclosed by those involved. Interestingly, just two years later, Matt Sharp and Cuomo performed together during one of Cuomo’s solo concerts, playing four songs and hinting at a potential collaboration album. Regrettably, that project never materialized.

2010 saw a potential second reunion hinted at when Cuomo mentioned to Spin magazine that he had pondered having Sharp join them once more, enabling Weezer to embark on a tour playing both their first two albums in full. However, as before, the plans did not materialize. “I believe we abandoned that concept quite early,” he clarified. “To be honest, I wasn’t part of the discussions, so I’m unsure about the reasons behind it.

As a dedicated fan and musician myself, I’ve always been a part of the Weezer community, but I’ve never formally re-joined the band since my departure. Instead, I continue to create music with my longstanding project, The Rentals.

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2025-03-28 22:00

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