Did you know that Rivers Cuomo once recorded a  rap album about — wait for it! — vegetarianism?  
Did you know that Rivers Cuomo once recorded a  rap album about — wait for it! — vegetarianism?  

Sound strange? You'll want to keep watching  to learn more about Weezer's famous frontman.
Sound strange? You'll want to keep watching  to learn more about Weezer's famous frontman.

Rivers Cuomo and his brother Leaves had  a unique childhood. According to Cuomo's  
Rivers Cuomo and his brother Leaves had  a unique childhood. According to Cuomo's  

official biography, the two boys were  raised on an ashram known as "Yogaville,"  
official biography, the two boys were  raised on an ashram known as "Yogaville,"  

located in Pomfret, Connecticut.  Cuomo elaborated on his upbringing  
located in Pomfret, Connecticut.  Cuomo elaborated on his upbringing  

in an interview with Integral Yoga Magazine.  He recalled his time at the ashram school,  
in an interview with Integral Yoga Magazine.  He recalled his time at the ashram school,  

which he attended from age 4 to  7, fondly, telling the outlet:
which he attended from age 4 to  7, fondly, telling the outlet:

"The Ashram itself was so nurturing and creative.  
"The Ashram itself was so nurturing and creative.  

I just remember being in school and  feeling that if I had any crazy idea,  
I just remember being in school and  feeling that if I had any crazy idea,  

we would be encouraged to try it out. You want to  build a space ship? Sure, let's try and build it."
we would be encouraged to try it out. You want to  build a space ship? Sure, let's try and build it."

He speculates that the ashram's  constructive approach to education  
He speculates that the ashram's  constructive approach to education  

is part of the reason why so many former  Yogaville children have gone on to have  
is part of the reason why so many former  Yogaville children have gone on to have  

successful careers in the arts. For instance,  award-winning actor Liev Schrieber attended  
successful careers in the arts. For instance,  award-winning actor Liev Schrieber attended  

the ashram school, as did Dave  Matthews Band member Stefan Lessard.
the ashram school, as did Dave  Matthews Band member Stefan Lessard.

It's possible that musical talent runs in  Rivers Cuomo's family. His father, Frank Cuomo,  
It's possible that musical talent runs in  Rivers Cuomo's family. His father, Frank Cuomo,  

was a musician in his own right. According to  Cuomo's official biography, the elder Cuomo  
was a musician in his own right. According to  Cuomo's official biography, the elder Cuomo  

contributed percussion to the album Odyssey of  Iska [ISS-kah] by jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter.  
contributed percussion to the album Odyssey of  Iska [ISS-kah] by jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter.  

Diffuser notes that he also played with jazz  fusion band the Weather Report in the 1970s.
Diffuser notes that he also played with jazz  fusion band the Weather Report in the 1970s.

Cuomo has honored his dad's musical chops by  inviting him to jam out with Weezer on several  
Cuomo has honored his dad's musical chops by  inviting him to jam out with Weezer on several  

occasions. In 2015, he brought him onstage  to bang the drums while Weezer played "Back  
occasions. In 2015, he brought him onstage  to bang the drums while Weezer played "Back  

to the Shack" at the Burgerama festival in  Los Angeles. A year later, he summoned him  
to the Shack" at the Burgerama festival in  Los Angeles. A year later, he summoned him  

into the spotlight to play the quintessential  Weezer hit "Beverly Hills" at a show in Irvine.
into the spotlight to play the quintessential  Weezer hit "Beverly Hills" at a show in Irvine.

Frank isn't the only Cuomo who has performed  with Rivers onstage. During the same tour,  
Frank isn't the only Cuomo who has performed  with Rivers onstage. During the same tour,  

Rivers invited his daughter Mia to play  the keys during "Perfect Situation."
Rivers invited his daughter Mia to play  the keys during "Perfect Situation."

Rivers Cuomo grew up having to deal with a mild  physical defect. According to Rolling Stone,  
Rivers Cuomo grew up having to deal with a mild  physical defect. According to Rolling Stone,  

he was born with a condition making his left  leg 44 millimeters shorter than his right one.  
he was born with a condition making his left  leg 44 millimeters shorter than his right one.  

He lived with this condition until 1995, when  he decided to use his earnings from Weezer to  
He lived with this condition until 1995, when  he decided to use his earnings from Weezer to  

undergo a procedure that would remediate  the issue. The surgery was quite painful,  
undergo a procedure that would remediate  the issue. The surgery was quite painful,  

involving the breaking of his  leg bone. Recovery wasn't easy,  
involving the breaking of his  leg bone. Recovery wasn't easy,  

either. Cuomo had to wear a steel brace  over his leg for months. He also had to  
either. Cuomo had to wear a steel brace  over his leg for months. He also had to  

stretch his leg four times a day, which  he described as an "agonizing process."
stretch his leg four times a day, which  he described as an "agonizing process."

Per SongFacts, Cuomo's struggles with his leg  inspired the Weezer single "The Good Life,"  
Per SongFacts, Cuomo's struggles with his leg  inspired the Weezer single "The Good Life,"  

featured on Pinkerton. The jacket for the single  also features an X-ray image of Cuomo's leg.
featured on Pinkerton. The jacket for the single  also features an X-ray image of Cuomo's leg.

According to an interview with The Harvard Crimson, Rivers Cuomo first enrolled  at Harvard in 1995 when he was 25 years old.
According to an interview with The Harvard Crimson, Rivers Cuomo first enrolled  at Harvard in 1995 when he was 25 years old.

"It's just as terrifying to  give an oral presentation to 15  
"It's just as terrifying to  give an oral presentation to 15  

smart kids as it is to like sing on Letterman."
smart kids as it is to like sing on Letterman."

At the time, Weezer had enjoyed some mild  recognition with singles from their Blue  
At the time, Weezer had enjoyed some mild  recognition with singles from their Blue  

Album. Yet Cuomo wasn't sure whether the  first album's success had been a fluke.
Album. Yet Cuomo wasn't sure whether the  first album's success had been a fluke.

While attending Harvard in the '90s, Cuomo wrote  several songs that would appear on the band's  
While attending Harvard in the '90s, Cuomo wrote  several songs that would appear on the band's  

album Pinkerton. He took some time off in 1996  to tour with Weezer after the album's release,  
album Pinkerton. He took some time off in 1996  to tour with Weezer after the album's release,  

then he returned for a semester in 2004  before dropping out to focus on his career.  
then he returned for a semester in 2004  before dropping out to focus on his career.  

He made a triumphant comeback shortly  after, and finally graduated in 2006.
He made a triumphant comeback shortly  after, and finally graduated in 2006.

Cuomo first studied music composition; he  then changed his major to English. His initial  
Cuomo first studied music composition; he  then changed his major to English. His initial  

experience at Harvard was significantly  different from his second stint — largely  
experience at Harvard was significantly  different from his second stint — largely  

due to Weezer's spike in popularity. When  he set foot onto Harvard's campus in '95,  
due to Weezer's spike in popularity. When  he set foot onto Harvard's campus in '95,  

he wasn't recognized as a celebrity on  campus. Cuomo told The Harvard Crimson:
he wasn't recognized as a celebrity on  campus. Cuomo told The Harvard Crimson:

"I [had] pretty long hair and  [a] really long, bushy beard,  
"I [had] pretty long hair and  [a] really long, bushy beard,  

glasses, walked with a cane. On top of that fact,  
glasses, walked with a cane. On top of that fact,  

our album was not successful with college  kids — it was successful with ten-year-olds!"
our album was not successful with college  kids — it was successful with ten-year-olds!"

Things had changed by 2004, however. Cuomo  told the university's newspaper in 2006:
Things had changed by 2004, however. Cuomo  told the university's newspaper in 2006:

"The best part about being famous  [...] is that people want to get  
"The best part about being famous  [...] is that people want to get  

to know me. People come up to  me and introduce themselves,  
to know me. People come up to  me and introduce themselves,  

and I make friends [...] I have a very  happy and comfortable social life."
and I make friends [...] I have a very  happy and comfortable social life."

In a 2019 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Cuomo refers to himself as a lifelong vegetarian,  inspired to take up a plant-based diet by the five  
In a 2019 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Cuomo refers to himself as a lifelong vegetarian,  inspired to take up a plant-based diet by the five  

precepts of the Buddha. Cuomo is deeply passionate  about the vegetarian lifestyle — to the extent  
precepts of the Buddha. Cuomo is deeply passionate  about the vegetarian lifestyle — to the extent  

that he once recorded a vegetarian-themed  rap album, according to Rolling Stone.
that he once recorded a vegetarian-themed  rap album, according to Rolling Stone.

While Cuomo was undergoing a creative crisis  in the 1990s, he challenged himself to write  
While Cuomo was undergoing a creative crisis  in the 1990s, he challenged himself to write  

50 songs in a row before allowing himself to  play live again. It was during this period  
50 songs in a row before allowing himself to  play live again. It was during this period  

that he wrote Weezer classic "Undone — The  Sweater Song," as well as the aforementioned  
that he wrote Weezer classic "Undone — The  Sweater Song," as well as the aforementioned  

vegetarian concept album, titled "Vegeterrorists  [veh-jih-TER-er-ists]." Each track featured Cuomo  
vegetarian concept album, titled "Vegeterrorists  [veh-jih-TER-er-ists]." Each track featured Cuomo  

waxing poetic about his dietary preferences  in the style of Public Enemy and Run-DMC.  
waxing poetic about his dietary preferences  in the style of Public Enemy and Run-DMC.  

Jason Cropper, a founding member of Weezer  who eventually parted ways with the band,  
Jason Cropper, a founding member of Weezer  who eventually parted ways with the band,  

commended Cuomo's rapping talents in  the Rolling Stone article, saying,
commended Cuomo's rapping talents in  the Rolling Stone article, saying,

"Rivers can drop mad beats and  spit mad rhymes with the best."
"Rivers can drop mad beats and  spit mad rhymes with the best."

Unfortunately, the world may never  get to corroborate his opinion:  
Unfortunately, the world may never  get to corroborate his opinion:  

to this day, "Vegeterrorists" remains unreleased.
to this day, "Vegeterrorists" remains unreleased.

Per his official bio, Rivers Cuomo  was a major fan of soccer growing up,  
Per his official bio, Rivers Cuomo  was a major fan of soccer growing up,  

and to date, he's written two odes to the  sport. In 2006, he penned "Our Time Will  
and to date, he's written two odes to the  sport. In 2006, he penned "Our Time Will  

Come," an "unofficial" hype song for the U.S.  Men's soccer team during the World Cup. In 2010,  
Come," an "unofficial" hype song for the U.S.  Men's soccer team during the World Cup. In 2010,  

Weezer debuted another World Cup anthem —  this one titled "Represent." In the lyrics,  
Weezer debuted another World Cup anthem —  this one titled "Represent." In the lyrics,  

Cuomo lays out the stakes for the athletes but  also engages in some good-natured boasting.
Cuomo lays out the stakes for the athletes but  also engages in some good-natured boasting.

Cuomo has also spent some time on the field  himself. In 2008, he participated in the Mia  
Cuomo has also spent some time on the field  himself. In 2008, he participated in the Mia  

Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra Celebrity Soccer  Challenge alongside Tony Hawk, Andy Samberg,  
Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra Celebrity Soccer  Challenge alongside Tony Hawk, Andy Samberg,  

and Elisabeth Shue, among others. He put  up a real fight during the charity match,  
and Elisabeth Shue, among others. He put  up a real fight during the charity match,  

even scoring his team's first goal. The next  year, he laced up his cleats again — this  
even scoring his team's first goal. The next  year, he laced up his cleats again — this  

time for the Athletes for Africa 5v5 charity  soccer tournament. This time around, he and his  
time for the Athletes for Africa 5v5 charity  soccer tournament. This time around, he and his  

teammates were playing to raise money for a youth  center for arts and culture in northern Uganda.
teammates were playing to raise money for a youth  center for arts and culture in northern Uganda.

Rivers Cuomo has occasionally gone to  extreme lengths for songwriting's sake.  
Rivers Cuomo has occasionally gone to  extreme lengths for songwriting's sake.  

In a 2005 interview with LA Weekly, he  elaborated on the drastic method he used  
In a 2005 interview with LA Weekly, he  elaborated on the drastic method he used  

to write the song "Hold Me": fasting.  After a short period of starvation,  
to write the song "Hold Me": fasting.  After a short period of starvation,  

Cuomo began to notice changes in his  mental state, telling the outlet:
Cuomo began to notice changes in his  mental state, telling the outlet:

"I felt really sad, and I really pitied myself,  
"I felt really sad, and I really pitied myself,  

and I felt a lot of loss, and of course I  was really hungry. [...] [S]o I entered into  
and I felt a lot of loss, and of course I  was really hungry. [...] [S]o I entered into  

this very concentrated state of extreme  longing, and started playing that song."
this very concentrated state of extreme  longing, and started playing that song."

The fasting had done what he had hoped, and  not only did he like the song he'd written,  
The fasting had done what he had hoped, and  not only did he like the song he'd written,  

the music actually made him feel considerably  better. Despite being proud of his results, Cuomo  
the music actually made him feel considerably  better. Despite being proud of his results, Cuomo  

is hesitant to encourage artists to follow his  example. Cuomo said in the LA Weekly Interview:
is hesitant to encourage artists to follow his  example. Cuomo said in the LA Weekly Interview:

"It can't be sustained. If you're relying on  extreme emotions, you just become a wreck,  
"It can't be sustained. If you're relying on  extreme emotions, you just become a wreck,  

and it's tough for other people to live  with you. And it's just not a good life.  
and it's tough for other people to live  with you. And it's just not a good life.  

Who wants to be constantly cultivating  anger and sadness? Not me."
Who wants to be constantly cultivating  anger and sadness? Not me."

Shortly after fasting, River Cuomo said in his interview with  LA Weekly, he turned to meditation.  
Shortly after fasting, River Cuomo said in his interview with  LA Weekly, he turned to meditation.  

Cuomo wasn't a total stranger to the practice — he  meditated while living on the ashram as a child,  
Cuomo wasn't a total stranger to the practice — he  meditated while living on the ashram as a child,  

but gave it up around sixth grade. He was  initially skeptical about picking it up as  
but gave it up around sixth grade. He was  initially skeptical about picking it up as  

an adult, but he was in such need of a creative  breakthrough that he decided to give it a try.
an adult, but he was in such need of a creative  breakthrough that he decided to give it a try.

"When I was 32 I felt like  
"When I was 32 I felt like  

my creative energies were drying up." "I  got the idea to try meditation again."
my creative energies were drying up." "I  got the idea to try meditation again."

According to ABC News, Cuomo tested out several  meditation techniques before settling on the  
According to ABC News, Cuomo tested out several  meditation techniques before settling on the  

Vipassana method. He has meditated for two hours  a day every day since 2003 — except for one day  
Vipassana method. He has meditated for two hours  a day every day since 2003 — except for one day  

in 2009, when he was knocked unconscious  in a bus crash. Cuomo told LA Weekly:
in 2009, when he was knocked unconscious  in a bus crash. Cuomo told LA Weekly:

"It definitely improves your  concentration and creativity,  
"It definitely improves your  concentration and creativity,  

even in rock music. It's about fighting  through whatever internal struggles there  
even in rock music. It's about fighting  through whatever internal struggles there  

are [...] and really focusing in on  what it is you're trying to say."
are [...] and really focusing in on  what it is you're trying to say."

He feels that meditation has helped  shape his life choices, adding:
He feels that meditation has helped  shape his life choices, adding:

"I don't know if I ever would  have gotten married without  
"I don't know if I ever would  have gotten married without  

this meditation practice to settle me down  and get me focused on my core values."
this meditation practice to settle me down  and get me focused on my core values."

Meditation is such a major part of Cuomo's life  that he's made an effort to pass his knowledge on  
Meditation is such a major part of Cuomo's life  that he's made an effort to pass his knowledge on  

to others. A 2009 newsletter from the Vipassana  Research Institute reveals that Cuomo used to  
to others. A 2009 newsletter from the Vipassana  Research Institute reveals that Cuomo used to  

teach children's meditation courses there. He also  supported the production of The Dhamma Brothers,  
teach children's meditation courses there. He also  supported the production of The Dhamma Brothers,  

a film about Vipassana meditation in an Alabama  state prison, according to a press release.
a film about Vipassana meditation in an Alabama  state prison, according to a press release.

In 2003, Cuomo decided to give up intercourse,  temporarily. In a 2005 interview with fans  
In 2003, Cuomo decided to give up intercourse,  temporarily. In a 2005 interview with fans  

conducted via AOL chat session, Cuomo  elaborated on this choice, saying,
conducted via AOL chat session, Cuomo  elaborated on this choice, saying,

"I decided to try celibacy because I heard  it would help the meditation, and I tried  
"I decided to try celibacy because I heard  it would help the meditation, and I tried  

meditation because I heard it would help with the  music. So it all really comes back to the music."
meditation because I heard it would help with the  music. So it all really comes back to the music."

He asserted that this exercise yielded  positive results, revealing in the AOL chat:
He asserted that this exercise yielded  positive results, revealing in the AOL chat:

"I know I can hear a difference in my  singing [...] I also notice a difference  
"I know I can hear a difference in my  singing [...] I also notice a difference  

in the lyrics. I'm much more open and  communicative about my emotions now."
in the lyrics. I'm much more open and  communicative about my emotions now."

On top of that, he believes  his lifestyle of discipline  
On top of that, he believes  his lifestyle of discipline  

has affected his demeanor in  the studio, as well, saying,
has affected his demeanor in  the studio, as well, saying,

"I don't have so much fear  that I won't get my way.  
"I don't have so much fear  that I won't get my way.  

I don't have so much anger if  people have opposing opinions  
I don't have so much anger if  people have opposing opinions  

and generally I'm much more happy and  comfortable in collaborative situations."
and generally I'm much more happy and  comfortable in collaborative situations."

Cuomo's period of abstinence ended when he married  his girlfriend, Kyoko Ito, in 2006. According to  
Cuomo's period of abstinence ended when he married  his girlfriend, Kyoko Ito, in 2006. According to  

Cuomo's 2006 interview with The Harvard Crimson,  Ito and Cuomo met at one of Cuomo's solo shows  
Cuomo's 2006 interview with The Harvard Crimson,  Ito and Cuomo met at one of Cuomo's solo shows  

in 1997. The fact that Ito was originally  a Weezer fan isn't something that factors  
in 1997. The fact that Ito was originally  a Weezer fan isn't something that factors  

into their relationship, and it's something  he's grateful for. Cuomo told the Crimson:
into their relationship, and it's something  he's grateful for. Cuomo told the Crimson:

"Thankfully, I haven't thought  along those lines very much.  
"Thankfully, I haven't thought  along those lines very much.  

I just kind of forget how we  met, and she's just my woman."
I just kind of forget how we  met, and she's just my woman."

Scrolling through Weezer's discography, you  might notice that few of the band's songs are  
Scrolling through Weezer's discography, you  might notice that few of the band's songs are  

labeled "explicit." This is by design — Rivers  Cuomo isn't a big fan of swearing in music,  
labeled "explicit." This is by design — Rivers  Cuomo isn't a big fan of swearing in music,  

and prefers to keep his songs fairly curse-free.  In a 2008 interview with Rolling Stone,  
and prefers to keep his songs fairly curse-free.  In a 2008 interview with Rolling Stone,  

Cuomo explains the artistic logic behind his  decision, citing the Beach Boys as an inspiration:
Cuomo explains the artistic logic behind his  decision, citing the Beach Boys as an inspiration:

"I don't like to use real swear words. Weezer  came up at a time when Jane's Addiction released  
"I don't like to use real swear words. Weezer  came up at a time when Jane's Addiction released  

'Nothing's Shocking' — everyone was trying to be  controversial. We looked back to rock & roll's  
'Nothing's Shocking' — everyone was trying to be  controversial. We looked back to rock & roll's  

pre-drug days — to the clean im­ages of the  Beach Boys — that felt, ironically, rebellious."
pre-drug days — to the clean im­ages of the  Beach Boys — that felt, ironically, rebellious."

In 2019, Weezer released their Black Album,  which saw Cuomo using stronger language. However,  
In 2019, Weezer released their Black Album,  which saw Cuomo using stronger language. However,  

he soon reverted to his former ways, keeping it  relatively clean on the band's following records.
he soon reverted to his former ways, keeping it  relatively clean on the band's following records.

Rivers Cuomo has been known to approach songwriting from a mathematical  perspective. In a 2002 interview with Rolling  
Rivers Cuomo has been known to approach songwriting from a mathematical  perspective. In a 2002 interview with Rolling  

Stone, he spoke of a notebook he kept in the  late 1990s, in which he meticulously dissected  
Stone, he spoke of a notebook he kept in the  late 1990s, in which he meticulously dissected  

every song Kurt Cobain had ever written.  According to Todd Sullivan, Weezer's A&R man,
every song Kurt Cobain had ever written.  According to Todd Sullivan, Weezer's A&R man,

"He figured if he could home in on Kurt's formula,  
"He figured if he could home in on Kurt's formula,  

he'd figure out his own formula [...] That way,  he would be a never-ending supply of songs."
he'd figure out his own formula [...] That way,  he would be a never-ending supply of songs."

After filling out his Nirvana notebook, Cuomo  moved onto another creative exercise: a three-ring  
After filling out his Nirvana notebook, Cuomo  moved onto another creative exercise: a three-ring  

binder he called "the Encyclopedia of Pop," in  which he stores his in-depth analyses of songs  
binder he called "the Encyclopedia of Pop," in  which he stores his in-depth analyses of songs  

by various artists he admires. The work isn't  tedious to him, but entertaining. Cuomo said,
by various artists he admires. The work isn't  tedious to him, but entertaining. Cuomo said,

"I'm probably just a natural-born scientist.  I like taking notes and analyzing things."
"I'm probably just a natural-born scientist.  I like taking notes and analyzing things."

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