Karl Koch (Weezer assistant)

Karl Koch
Koch in front of his record collection in 2006
Born	Karl Michael Koch (1969-09-15) September 15, 1969 (age 55) Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Other names	Karlophone
Occupation	Assistant for Weezer
Years active	1991–present
Website	karlophone.com

Karl Michael Koch (September 15, 1969) is a general assistant to American rock band Weezer, and "unofficial fifth member" of the ensemble.^[1][2][3][4]

From the band's inception he has been performed many roles, including a roadie, concert photographer, webmaster and social media manager, archivist and historian, and art director. Drummer Patrick Wilson said in 2005, "[the band] wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Karl."^[5]

Koch established and operates Weezer's official website and social media pages, where he publishes his band news column Karl's Corner. Koch and his Karl's Corner postings are frequently referenced by entertainment publications for insider knowledge on the band.

In addition to his work with Weezer, Koch releases his own music under the moniker Karlophone and has worked closely with Wilson's band The Special Goodness.

Work with Weezer

Prior to the band's formation

Koch first met future Weezer drummer Patrick Wilson in early 1990 while living in Buffalo, New York; the two were introduced through Pat Finn, a musician and friend of Koch's. Wilson and Finn moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue the city's music scene, urging Koch to follow. The following year Koch flew out to Finn's L.A. apartment, where he was introduced to future Weezer members Matt Sharp, Jason Cropper, and Rivers Cuomo.^[6][7] When this group of musicians coalesced into the short-lived band 60 Wrong Sausages, Koch provided general assistance and documented their activity.^[8] Some footage taped and archived by Koch from this era would later appear on the Weezer DVD Video Capture Device.^[9]

1992–1999: The Blue Album and Pinkerton

After Weezer's proper formation in February 1992, Koch remained a consistent crew member and assistant.^[1][4]: 66 Lead singer Rivers Cuomo has explained, "he's the one who took us to our shows, and helped us carry our gear, and set everything up, and tune our guitars, and draw our fliers, and give us tons of artistic advice and moral support."^[5] Koch illustrated the first iteration of the band's logo and managed early merchandise production during this period.^[10] After the band was signed to Geffen Records in 1993, Koch accompanied the band to New York for the recording of the Blue Album, working per diem.^[6] Koch shot footage of the album's recording sessions, which would later comprise the "Making of the Blue Album" chapter of Video Capture Device.^[11][9] He is credited on the final release of the album for visual design work.^[12]

Early iterations of the Blue Album single "Undone – The Sweater Song" featured dense sound collages of popular audio, produced by Koch. To avoid licensing issues, these were replaced shortly before release with spoken word segments performed by Koch, Matt Sharp, and fan club co-founder Mykel Allen.^{[13][4]: 73} When the music video for "Buddy Holly", another single from the album, won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Alternative Video in 1995, Koch and Pat Finn stood in on-stage for missing band members Cuomo and Wilson.^[14]

While conceiving Songs from the Black Hole (an ultimately unreleased rock opera which evolved into the 1996 album Pinkerton), Rivers Cuomo envisioned Koch performing the role of the sentient robot character "M1".^[13][15] Koch was among the few individuals who had access to the album's drafts before its songs and story were officially published, and acted as a primary source of information on the album for fans in the 2000s.^[16][17] On "Butterfly", the final track on Pinkerton, Koch's drumming accompanies Cuomo's acoustic performance.^[18]

Karl's Corner and website management

People like Karl Koch bring you directly next to the band on a daily basis. I have about 500 pictures of the guys doing things that I do with my friends every day.

Andrew Naiffy, Chicago Tribune, "NOTHING BUT NET", 2001^[19]

Merlin Mann: "Is it Karl that does your website, does he still do that?"

Patrick Wilson: "Absolutely."

Mann: "I remember you guys being in front of this stuff a really long time ago ... It seems like you guys have been pretty connected with your fans from early on, and I remember that being ... one of the first comprehensive sites I remember that was actually kinda sanctioned by the band."

MacBreak Weekly episode 82, "The Double Album", 2008^[20]

Throughout the '90s, Koch contributed a regular column titled Karl's corner to Weezine, a zine issued by the band's official fan club. After the passing of fan club founders Mykel and Carli Allen, Koch became the lead editor and contributor to the zine.^[21][6]

In late 1999, Koch re-focused fan involvement efforts from the (then-shuttered) fan club to the official Weezer website. He used the site to document and share exclusive information and media pertaining to the band and, beginning in January 2000, as a new home for the Karl's Corner column — now with more regular installments.^[1][2] It featured news about touring and recording, updates on the band's day-to-day activity, and photographs taken by Koch. Questions or fan accounts sent via email were often incorporated into Koch's updates, increasing the ease with which fans could interact with the band. By July 2000, the page had received over nine million views.^[22] Brad Cawn of the Chicago Tribune cited Koch's management of the website and the Karl's Corner column as a contributing factor behind the band's resurgence in popularity in the early 2000s.^[19]

2000–2009: Touring and music videos

At the onset of the 2000s, Koch established a number of consistent roles within the band: photographing and summarizing Weezer performances on Karl's Corner (alongside other website maintenance), assisting with design work for merchandise and music releases, and giving general input on band decisions.^[1]

Koch directed the official music video for the band's 2001 single "Photograph".^[3][9] He also starred in the 2005 video for "Perfect Situation", playing himself.^[23]

The band's DVD Video Capture Device: Treasures from the Vault 1991–2002, directed and edited by Koch, was released in 2004. It includes released and unreleased music videos (some directed by Koch) and miscellaneous footage shot by Koch over the years.^[24][25][9] In the same year, Koch authored an essay chronicling the development of the Blue Album for the release of its deluxe edition, although it was ultimately not included with the CD.^[13]

Koch served as a source of firsthand information and photographs for entertainment news outlets when, in 2009, the band suffered a bus crash during an ongoing tour.^[26][27][28]

2010–present: Memories Tour, revival of fan club, and "VIP experience"

Koch showcasing the stratocaster used by Rivers Cuomo during a "VIP Experience" before a concert in 2023.

For Weezer's Memories Tour in 2010, Koch gave special presentations featuring band artifacts and insider information during mid-show intermissions. He also reprised his drumming on the Pinkerton song "Butterfly".^[29] As he had for the Blue Album, Koch wrote an in-depth essay on the development of Pinkerton for its deluxe edition release in the same year. This essay was included in the release's booklet.^[30][18]

In 2014, the official Weezer Fan Club was revived by Koch and a fan named Lisa, who have continued running it through the present day.^[31][21] Koch additionally hosts the fan-maintained wiki Weezerpedia, which has been described by one contributor as "an extension of [his] massive efforts archiving Weezer".^[32]

For the band's 2018 tour with the Pixies, Koch hosted the "Karl's Corner VIP experience" for VIP ticket holders, wherein fans could meet Koch and view a small museum of unique Weezer merchandise and ephemera from his archive.^[33] The band offered the same experience during subsequent tours.^[34][35]

Other projects

Karlophone

In 1996, Koch formed the experimental sound collage project Karlophone. His music, inspired by contemporary hip hop and producers such as DJ Shadow, was constructed of layered audio samples from records, films, and reels in his large personal collection, with added instrumentation.^[36][37] He released his first album, Press Any Key to Begin, in fall 2002 on Amorphous Records, an independent label ran by himself and Pat Finn. Alex Steininger of In Music We Trust reviewed the album positively, describing it as "one part hip-hop, one part electronica, one part rock, and seven parts experimental wanderings."^[38] "Desire", the final track from the album, was released as a 7-inch vinyl single in 2004; one of its B-sides, "If You Listen", features production and guitar work from Patrick Wilson (under the pseudonym Franklin Mint).^[39]

Between his work with Weezer throughout 2002 and 2006, Koch developed music for a second Karlophone album. This materialized with the release of his second studio album I Must Find This Karlophone... on Amorphous Records in 2007.^[40] A third album began production immediately following the second's release, but has yet to be completed as of 2023.^[35]

The Special Goodness

The Special Goodness is the band of Weezer drummer Patrick Wilson, formed in 1996. As with Weezer, Koch followed the development of Wilson's band, documented its history, and roadied on its tours.^[41][42]

In 2022, Koch co-hosted The Special Podness — a four episode podcast retrospective on The Special Goodness — with Wilson and ex-drummer Atom Willard.^[42]

Personal life

Koch was born in Buffalo, New York on September 15, 1969.^[7] He attended Nichols School^[7] and graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland in 1991.^[6]

Koch is the great-grandson of Ehrhardt Koch, founder of the New Era Cap Company, and brother of its current CEO Chris Koch.^[43] Koch is cited as a "New Era historian" in Jim Lilliefors' book Ball Cap Nation and portrayed his great-grandfather in a 2012 advertisement for the company.^[44] Both sides of his family are of German descent.^[45]

Works

Discography

As Karlophone

• 2001 – Press Any Key to Begin
• 2007 – I Must Find this Karlophone...

With Southern Fried Swing

• 2001 – Free Flight Thru the Universe of Sound

With Weezer/Rivers Cuomo (including non-musical contributions)

• 1994 – Weezer (Blue Album) (design)
• 1996 – Pinkerton (uncredited drumming on "Butterfly")^[18]
• 2001 – Christmas CD (photography, artwork)
• 2001 – Weezer (Green Album) (photography)
• 2002 – The Lion and the Witch (photography)
• 2002 – Maladroit (photography)
• 2005 – Make Believe (photography)
• 2007 – Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo (photography)
• 2008 – Weezer (Red Album) (photography)
• 2008 – Alone II: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo (design)
• 2010 – Death to False Metal (photography)

Following the Blue Album, Koch is credited on every Weezer album (and the SZNZ EPs) under nonsense titles (e.g., "Boot Knocka" on the Green Album), alongside any other visual or technical role.

Filmography

• Weezer – Video Capture Device: Treasures from the Vault 1991–2002 (2004)

Books

• Raditude (2009) – not to be confused with the album of the same name
• Weezine Omnibus (2014)
• Weezine Omnibus: Deluxe Edition (2016)
• Tales of Weezer (2021)

See also

• Fifth Beatle – popular term describing unofficial "fifth members" of the British rock band The Beatles
• Road crew
• Fan club

External links

• Official website
• Karl Koch article on Weezerpedia

References

1. Riopell, Mike (December 6, 2001). "Weezer webmaster serves as band's fifth member". The Vidette. Illinois State University. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
2. Heng Hartse, Joel (February 7, 2022). Dancing about Architecture is a Reasonable Thing to Do. Wipf and Stock. p. 30. ISBN 978-1498293839. ...clealy interested in communicating through writing, including the 'Karl's Corner' section of Weezer's website (written by the band's longtime roadie, 'fifth member,' and documentarian, Karl Koch)...
3. "Weezer Biography". The Vogue. Retrieved September 19, 2023. Their video for 'Photograph' was shot and put together by Weezer friend and unofficial '5th member' Karl Koch.
4. Luerssen, John D. (2004). Rivers' Edge: The Weezer Story. ECW Press. ISBN 1-55022-619-3.
5. Bell, Brian; Cuomo, Rivers; Shriner, Scott; Wilson, Patrick (October 14, 2005). "T-Minus Rock interview with Weezer" (Interview). Interviewed by Jim Shearer. MTV2.
6. Koch, Karl (January 9, 2019). "A Very Special Karl Koch We Are Weezer Part Three" (Interview). Interviewed by Rachel. We Are Weezer. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
7. Koch, Karl (1998). "Interview with Karl" (Interview). Interviewed by Anuj Behal. Rebel Weezer Alliance. Archived from the original on December 5, 1998. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
8. Greene, Lora; Warner, Jennifer (January 24, 2014). Musicians That Changed Sound: Profiles of Four Musicians That Changed the Industry. Golgotha Press. p. 102. ISBN 978-1629172248.
9. Weezer (March 23, 2004). Weezer – Video Capture Device: Treasures from the Vault 1991–2002 (Documentary). Geffen Records. B0002272-09.
10. Koch, Karl (1996). "Merchandise History". Weezine. Weezer Fan Club. p. 7. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
11. Pappademas, Alex (April 2004). "America's Most Maladroit Home Videos". Spin. ISSN 0886-3032. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
12. Weezer (May 10, 1994). Weezer (Blue Album) (Media notes). Geffen Records. DGCD-24629.
13. Runtgath, Jordan (May 10, 2019). "Weezer's Blue Album: 10 Things You Didn't Know". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
14. Rampton, Mike (April 27, 2019). "A deep dive into Weezer's Buddy Holly music video". Kerrang. Retrieved September 19, 2023. There's no Rivers or Pat, but Brian and Matt are joined by Spike, Karl Koch (Weezer's webmaster, historian and BFF) and Pat Finn...
15. Cuomo, Rivers (December 18, 2007). Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo (Media notes). Geffen Records. p. 7. B0010417-02.
16. Heng Hartse, Joel (September 20, 2021). "Are Weezer's Songs from the Black Hole the True 'Pinkerton'?". PopMatters. Retrieved September 20, 2023. The amount of discourse generated about this unreleased record is copious: [...] interviews about chronology with Karl Koch (Weezer's tour manager and unofficial archivist)...
17. Patrick, Seb (September 25, 2005). "The Best Album Never Made". Noise to Signal. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
18. Weezer (November 2, 2010). Pinkerton (deluxe edition) (Media notes). Geffen Records. B0012913-02.
19. Cawn, Brad (April 15, 2001). "NOTHING BUT NET". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
20. Bourne, Scott; Ihnatko, Andy; Laporte, Leo; Lindsay, Alex; Mann, Merlin; Wilson, Patrick (March 26, 2008). "The Double Episode". MacBreak Weekly (Podcast). TWiT.tv. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
21. Longstreth, Alec (March 27, 2019). "Weezine Omnibus". Alec Illustration. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
22. Spitz, Marc (July 2002). "Don't Fear the Weezer". Spin. Retrieved September 20, 2023. Weezer.com webmaster Karl Koch has a news page, "Karl's Corner," which has received nine million hits since 2000.
23. Patrick, Seb (August 19, 2015). "Weezerology Part Five: Beyond Belief". sebpatrick.co.uk. Retrieved September 25, 2023. (Also, while the video's cheesy as all hell, it's got a guest appearance by longtime roadie/webmaster/"fifth Weezer" Karl Koch as the merch guy, so it's worth it for that alone.)
24. Whamond, Keith (March 25, 2004). Lynch, Tara (ed.). "The Wonder of Weezer: Two 'Treasures' Remind Fans Why Weezer Is Still the Best". Fairfield Mirror. Vol. 29, no. 22. Fairfield University. p. 9. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
25. Johnson, Brent (May 3, 2004). "And that's for a-all time..." The Daily Targum. Rutgers University. Archived from the original on August 16, 2004. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
26. Collis, Clark (December 7, 2009). "Weezer bus crash: Photos and chilling details". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
27. Philips, Amy (December 6, 2023). "Weezer's Rivers Cuomo Hospitalized Following Bus Accident". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
28. Itzkoff, Dave (December 8, 2009). "Weezer Frontman Said to Be Recovering From Injuries". The New York Times. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
29. Pareles, Jon (December 19, 2010). "All Aboard an Alt-Rock Time Machine". The New York Times. Retrieved September 19, 2023. After an intermission the band's Web site manager and historian, Karl Koch, narrated a slide show of Weezer artifacts [...] He returned with an acoustic guitar for 'Butterfly,' [...] Mr. Koch slipped behind the drum kit; he played on 'Pinkerton' too.
30. Breihan, Tom (September 27, 2020). "Weezer Reveal Pinkerton Reissue Details". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 20, 2023. The package will also include a booklet with photos and an essay from band friend Karl Koch.
31. "History of the Fan Club". Weezer Fan Club. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
32. Gallagher, Dylan; Tyler (2023). "The Weezer Public Library". Information Today (Interview). Interviewed by Justin Hoenke. Information Today Inc. pp. 4–5. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
33. Koch, Karl (2018). "2018 VIP Karl's Corner Experience Edition". Weezine. Weezer Fan Club. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
34. Slanisky, Lena (February 21, 2019). "Weezer AND Pixies Are Touring Canada This Spring 2019". MTL Blog. Retrieved March 12, 2024. The "Can't Knock the Hustle" Bundle come with the following perks: A Premium Ticket, an exclusive tour of the stage and backstage area, access to the Karl's Corner VIP experience as well as access to the VIP Entry and the VIP Lounge
35. Koch, Karl (August 18, 2023). "Weezerpedia interview with Karl Koch - 2023" (Interview). Interviewed by Keating, Conner; Levine, Noah. Weezerpedia. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
36. Koch, Karl (October 22, 2010). "Karlophone makes sound track for "the movie in your head"". The Miranda (Interview). Vol. 49, no. 3. Interviewed by Jarett Hartman. Rio Americano High School. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
37. Koch, Karl. "bio". karlophone.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
38. Steininger, Alex (September 2004). "Press Any Key To Begin". In Music We Trust. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
39. Karlophone (July 1, 2004). "Desire" (Media notes). Amorphous Records. AR 006.
40. Koch, Karl (February 26, 2007). "February 26, 2007". karlophone.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
41. DePasquale, Ron. "Special Goodness Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
42. Koch, Karl; Willard, Atom; Wilson, Patrick (July 15, 2022). "The Special Podness: Meet the Special Goodness" (Podcast). Wastoids. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
43. Lilliefors, Jim (2009). Ball Cap Nation: A Journey Through the World of America's National Hat. Clerisy Press. pp. 66, 71. ISBN 9781578603404.
44. Koch, Karl [@karlophone] (November 19, 2012). "Channeling my great grandfather Ehrhardt for a @new_era_caps video that takes us back to the 1920 origins" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 3, 2024 – via Twitter.
45. Koch, Karl (April 30, 2005). "WEEZER - Interview mit Karl Koch, 30.04.2005" [Interview with Karl Koch - April 30, 2005] (Interview) (in German). Interviewed by BANDS Magazine. Archived from the original on November 22, 2005. Retrieved September 25, 2023.