Weezer throws a Hootenanny

Geek-rockers Weezer [ tickets ], who dropped a new album earlier this month, are inviting fans to learn several songs and jam with the band during a handful of radio-sponsored mini-concerts.The "Hootenanny" gigs kicked off yesterday (6/17) in Phoenix and continue tomorrow (6/19) in Portland, OR. Shows in San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles will stretch into next week, according to Weezer's website. Another, probably larger, Hootenanny show in the City of Angels is also in the planning stages. Confirmed dates and cities are listed below.The band is encouraging fans to show up with any kind of instrument, or just their voice and hands, and be ready to play Weezer's new single, "Pork and Beans," as well as "Island in the Sun," "Creep" (by Radiohead), "Say It Ain't So," "El Scorcho" and "Beverly Hills." The bandmates have posted a video clip at their website explaining how to play the songs.Weezer just claimed the No. 4 slot on The Billboard 200 with its sixth studio album and third self-titled set. The record, which features songs produced by Rick Rubin, Jacknife Lee and the band itself, is being referred to as "The Red Album" (to differentiate from the self-titled blue and green albums). Lead track "Pork and Beans" shot to No. 1 on the modern-rock chart and is also making waves at mainstream-rock and pop radio."The Red Album" follows 2005's "Make Believe," which debuted at No. 2 on the album chart and spawned the No. 1 hits "Beverly Hills" and "Perfect Situation." Between records, the band took a hiatus so that frontman Rivers Cuomo could get a degree from Harvard.Weezer expects to hit the road this fall for proper tours of the US and Japan, according to a posting at its website.