Through the years, the band went through many line-up changes, with Ben and John being the only constant members since the band's inception. Screeching Weasel officially broke up for (roughly) the third - and allegedly final - time on July 6, 2001.
The band did a few surprise shows between 2001-2009.
Ben Weasel reformed the group in March 2009 with a new line-up, and without John Jughead. Ben had released solo albums that were the same just in his name. John finally settled for T-Shirt money for being an original member of the band and a royalties for a handful songs he co-wrote, and let Ben play as Screeching Weasel with the hundreds of song lyrics and music has written.
Former Members include renowned punk rock record producer Mass Giorgini on bass guitar, Dan Panic (born Dan Sullivan) on drums, and Danny Vapid (born Dan Schafer,on guitar or bass, depending on the band's necessity. Dan is currently fronting The Methadones and formerly of Sludgeworth)
Members of Screeching Weasel have gone on to form bands such as: The Methadones, The Mopes, Even in Blackouts, and Sweet Black And Blue.
Screeching Weasel has also included members of Green Day, Sludgeworth, Common Rider, Squirtgun, and Teen Idols.
During one of the band's many break-ups, Weasel and Vapid also formed the Riverdales. Additionally, Ben Weasel released a solo record in 2002 entitled Fidatevi.
In 2004 Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Screeching Weasel and Riverdales masters from Lookout! Records in the wake of long-running financial and personal conflicts. The masters were subsequently licensed to and reissued by Asian Man Records.
On December 7, 2010, it was announced that Screeching Weasel will release a new album on March 15, 2011, the band's first album in eleven years. The album will be titled First World Manifesto and will be released on Fat Wreck Chords. It will contain 14 new songs and is produced by Mike Kennerty of The All-American Rejects. It was announced that the label will also be releasing the back catalogs of Screeching Weasel, the Riverdales, and Ben Weasel.
On March 18, 2011, during Screeching Weasel's South by Southwest Festival performance at the Scoot Inn in Austin, Texas, Foster reached from the stage and slapped a female audience member who had spit on him several times. This sent off a fire storm web frenzy from all of the self -righteous non Screeching Weasel fans. Ben apologized for his actions, but all of the perfect people who never loose there cool were not satisfied.
Ben and his hired band had a falling out. He found out who his true friends and fans were. After over a year of spending time with his family and raising a new baby, he released Carnival of Schadenfreude EP in 2011 with huge interest and has resumed his music career again full swing.
Blitzkrieg Bop
Screeching Weasel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're forming in a straight line
They're going through a tight wind
The kids are losing their minds
The blitzkrieg bop
They're piling in the back seat
They're generating steam heat
Pulsating to the back beat
The blitzkrieg bop, hey ho, let's go
Shoot 'em in the back now
What they want, I don't know
They're all revved up and ready to go
The lyrics to "Blitzkrieg Bop" by Screeching Weasel are a direct homage to the Ramones, who originally released the song in 1976. The opening line, "Hey ho, let's go," is one of the most recognizable lyrics in punk rock, and perfectly encapsulates the frenetic energy and rebellious spirit of the genre. The next few lines describe the scene at a live show or a street riot, with people forming a tight, unified line and charging headfirst into chaos. The kids, overcome with the excitement of the moment, are completely swept up in the pulsating rhythm and sense of rebellion.
As the song progresses, the band ramps up the intensity with lines about piling into the back seat and generating steam heat, alluding to the idea of a group of people coming together to create a powerful force. The back beat, meanwhile, is driving and insistent, creating a relentless energy that propels the song forward. As the song comes to a close, the lyrics become even more chaotic, with lines about shooting people in the back and not knowing what they want. Ultimately, though, the message is clear: these kids are revved up and ready to go, no matter what they're facing.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey ho, let's go
Let's get started and make some noise!
They're forming in a straight line
People are lining up for something.
They're going through a tight wind
They are pushing through an obstacle in their way.
The kids are losing their minds
The young people are getting excited and crazy about something.
The blitzkrieg bop
This is the name of the song; it's about getting hyped up.
They're piling in the back seat
They are squeezing into a small space to get to where they want to go.
They're generating steam heat
They are fired up and full of energy.
Pulsating to the back beat
They are dancing and moving to the rhythm of the music.
The blitzkrieg bop, hey ho, let's go
The song's name is repeated to keep the energy going.
Shoot 'em in the back now
Get moving, go quickly!
What they want, I don't know
I'm not sure what's happening, but it's exciting.
They're all revved up and ready to go
Everyone is enthusiastic and eager to get started.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Douglas Colvin, Jeff Hyman, John Cummings, Thomas Erdelyi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind