Named after the small town of Riverdale from the Archie Comics, The Riverdales formed in 1994. The founding members, Foster (guitar), Dan Schafer (bass), and Dan Sullivan (drums), were all former members of Screeching Weasel, who had broken up earlier that year. Unlike Screeching Weasel, the members of The Riverdales would be credited under their real names. They released their self-titled debut album on July 7, 1995, on Lookout! Records. It was produced by Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and Squirtgun's Mass Giorgini. They toured extensively that year as the opening act for the Mr. T Experience, and then for Green Day. Playing off this synergy, the Riverdales supported Green Day's 1995 tour. Also that year, the bands song "Back To You" appeared in the movie Angus. Despite the reformation of Screeching Weasel in 1996, the Riverdales did not split until after recording a second album, Storm The Streets in 1997, and only reforming briefly in 2003 to record Phase 3.
In 2004, Ben Foster rescinded all of the Riverdales masters from Lookout! Records after being unable to resolve a breach of contract dispute over unpaid royalties with the label. All of these masters had then been licensed to Asian Man Records. Asian Man reissued the first Riverdales album in 2006 with re-mastered sound and a slew of bonus tracks including three unreleased tracks, "No Sense" from the Storm the Streets sessions, and live tracks from their tour with Green Day. The Label also re-issued Phase 3 on October 7th, 2008 with five bonus tracks.
On November 19th, 2008, on his ESPN radio show, Weasel Radio, Ben Weasel announced that he and Danny Vapid had been demoing songs for a new Riverdales album, and recording would begin in February of 2009. He also announced that The Riverdales will be playing live shows again and that Adam Cargin (of the Blueheels) would be the band's new drummer. The album, titled Invasion USA was released on July 14, 2009.
In September 2009, it was announced that Simon Lamb would be joining the band as second guitarist [5]. Prior to that, for live purposes, Dan Schafer was playing second guitar (with a notably louder amp) and singing while Justin Perkins, who had recorded Invasion U.S.A., played bass. A couple months later, in November, 2009, Mike Park of Asian Man Records announced that Ben had decided to sever his relationship with the label and that Recess Records would now be carrying the Screeching Weasel, Riverdales, and Ben Weasel solo back catalogs.
On December 13, 2009, Ben Weasel announced on his Twitter that the fifth Riverdales album would be called Tarantula. They began recording the next day. Ben has stated that if he had it his way, Invasion USA would have been a double LP and to consider Tarantula part 2 of Invasion USA. So the songs on this album will be similar to the songs on Invasion USA, having titles based on old, low budget sci fi and horror films, but with a sound closer to The Ramones album "Subterranean Jungle." Tarantula was released in July 2010.
In December 2010, the band announced they had signed to Fat Wreck Chords, and the label would be re-releasing some of their old material.
In March 2011, Ben Weasel was involved in an altercation with two female audience members at a Screeching Weasel show at the Austin, Texas SXSW Festival. This resulted in the other members of both Screeching Weasel and the Riverdales quitting the band. In the aftermath of this, former members Dan Vapid and Simon Lamb started a solo project called Dan Vapid and The Cheats with whom Vapid will be singing his Riverdales songs.
Discography
Studio Albums
* Riverdales (1995)
* Storm the Streets (1997)
* Phase 3 (2003)
* Invasion U.S.A. (2009)
* Tarantula (2010)
EPs
* Back To You/I Can't Pretend (1995)
* Fun Tonight/ I'm a Vegetable (1995)
* Blood On The Ice/No Sense (1997)
I Don't Wanna Go to the Party
Riverdales Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll stay at home and watch the runway lights
Cause I don't wanna go to the party tonight
I know that everyone will be there
But this time I really don't care
Cause I don't wanna go to the party tonight
1
2
3
4
I don't wanna go to the party tonight
I'll stay at home and watch the runway lights
Cause I don't wanna go to the party tonight
I know that everyone will be there
But this time I really don't care
Cause I don't wanna go to the party tonight
I know my ex girlfriend will be there
Kissing kissing in front me as if I care I don't care
I don't wanna go to the party tonight
Don't wanna tango under the disco lights cause
I don't wanna go to the party tonight
Johnny and frank and the king will be there.
But they wont miss me so I don't care cause
I don't wanna go to the party tonight
I don't wanna go to the party tonight
I'll stay at home and watch the runway lights
Cause I don't wanna go to the party tonight
I know that everyone will be there
But this time I really don't care
Cause I don't wanna go to the party tonight
Party
Party
Party tonight
Oh oh oh
Party
Party
Party tonight
Oh oh oh
Party
Party
To Party tonight
Everyone keeps saying its gonna be a good time
But I know, that I won't mind
And I don't wanna go to the party tonight
To the party tonight
To the party tonight
To the party tonight
In Riverdales' song "I Don't Wanna Go to the Party," the singer expresses his reluctance to attend a party that evening. The song's lyrics go on to explain how there is no reason to go to a party when there is an option to stay at home and watch the runway lights. There is a mention of an ex-girlfriend who he knows will be at the party, but he claims he doesn't care. He doesn't want to dance or socialize under the disco lights. He mentions his friends will be in attendance but he's not going to miss anything by not going.
The singer of the song seems to be someone who has been to parties before and does not find them fun. He feels as though he's not going to miss out on anything valuable by not attending the party. Perhaps he is more comfortable alone or in smaller settings. The aspect of watching the runway lights almost seems therapeutic to him. Though the song is light-hearted, there is an underlying message that it's okay to not do things that don't appeal to you socially.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna go to the party tonight
The singer expresses their unwillingness to attend a party scheduled for that night.
I'll stay at home and watch the runway lights
The singer intends to remain indoors instead and watch the runway lights from a distance.
Cause I don't wanna go to the party tonight
The repetition of this line serves as a reminder of the singer's reluctance to attend the party.
I know that everyone will be there
The artist is aware that the party will have a large turnout.
But this time I really don't care
Despite being aware of the attendance, the artist is indifferent about attending.
I know my ex girlfriend will be there
The singer is aware that their ex-girlfriend will be present at the party.
Kissing kissing in front me as if I care I don't care
The singer's ex-girlfriend's actions at the party won't affect them and they are apathetic towards it.
Don't wanna tango under the disco lights cause
The artist has no interest in dancing to the music in the party's disco lights.
Johnny and frank and the king will be there.
The artist lists friends who will be present at the party.
But they wont miss me so I don't care cause
The artist feels like their absence won't make much of a difference to their friends' experience at the party.
Party party party tonight oh oh oh
The repetition of 'party' implies the singer's annoyance with hearing about the party.
Everyone keeps saying it's gonna be a good time
The artist notes that people keep insisting that the party will be enjoyable.
But I know that I won't mind
Despite the expectations of the party being entertaining, the singer is confident that they won't miss anything by not attending.
To the party tonight
The repetition of this line serves as another reminder of the singer's reluctance to attend the party.
Writer(s): Foster Benjamin M, Schafer Dan P
Contributed by Josiah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
noias
on The Beginning of the End
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOWipWh-PAE
Most of their songs are inspired by MST3K's riffs
Linda Viencek
on Riverdale Stomp
These lyrics are just wrong!