Spanish Punk Band Airbag Loved Weezer So Much They Played Entire Sets of Covers in Their Early Years: “We Wanted to Be Like Them”

Spanish punk trio Airbag once played several concerts made up entirely of Weezer covers, reflecting how strongly the American band influenced them in their early years. The story matters because Airbag say Weezer’s blend of energetic rock, melody and detail helped shape their own musical direction.

The cover project began in the early 2000s and staged around five or six shows, including one focused on Weezer’s 2001 Green Album. Airbag even used a green backdrop for that show’s poster, and frontman Adolfo Díaz recalled that the band had said in an early interview: “We want to be like Weezer when we grow up.” Airbag have now released their ninth album, Una extraña fuerza, while Weezer have released their 20th studio album and plan international tour dates in 2027.