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In 2004 Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Screeching Weasel and Riverdales masters from Lookout!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.
Cool Kids
Screeching Weasel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the real cool kids go to sit around
And talk bad about the other kids
Yeah it's a real cool club and you're not part of it
There's Millie, Pickles and Pattycakes too
And Cubby's making mean jokes about you
Ha ha you little twit
Yeah it's a real cool club and you're not part of it
They're a real cool bunch of die Fledermausketeers
And they'll laugh at the toughskins your Mom got you from Sears
You dork they'll never let you in
'Cause it's a real cool club and you're not part of it
You're fat and ugly and an imbecile too
And that's why they draw funny pictures of you
And talk bad about all the kids
'Cause it's a real cool club and you're not a part of it
Yeah it's a real cool club and you'll never be a part of it
Yeah it's a real cool club and you're not part of it
Yeah it's a real cool club and you'll never be a part of it
The lyrics of Screeching Weasel's "Cool Kids" song paint a picture of exclusion and social rejection. The song describes a group of kids who form a certain club that is deemed cool, and they are constantly belittling and mocking other kids who are not part of the group. The lyrics suggest a situation where kids who are not considered cool enough have to endure constant ridicule and exclusion, and how this can be hurtful and damaging. The song's lyrics are a reflection of the social dynamics of many youth groups where people form cliques, and the need to be part of a group can create a sense of insecurity and anxiety for those who are left out.
The songwriter uses various literary devices to drive the message home. For instance, the repetition of the phrase "real cool club" and the line "yeah, it's a real cool club, and you're not part of it" creates a feeling of alienation and exclusion. The naming of the characters in the song, such as Millie, Pickles, Pattycakes, and Cubby, is consistent with the idea of kids' cultures where people are recognized by their nicknames, and there's a sense of camaraderie within the group. The use of sarcasm in the lyrics, for instance, "you're fat and ugly and an imbecile too," highlights the cruelty that the song's protagonist has to endure.
Interestingly, the song's humor and satire create a sense of catharsis, and the song's melody is catchy and upbeat. The song's message has been resonating with punk rock fans since it was released in 1996, and it remains a classic example of punk rock music that deals with real-life social issues.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a real cool club on the other side of town
There is an exclusive and desirable club located in a distant area
Where the real cool kids go to sit around
Those who are considered popular and well-liked by their peers gather there to socialize
And talk bad about the other kids
They engage in gossip and speak negatively about those who are not part of their group
Yeah it's a real cool club and you're not part of it
The artist is conveying that the listener is not accepted nor included in this exclusive social group
They're a real cool bunch of die Fledermausketeers
The artist uses exaggerated language to describe the group as cool and elite, comparing them to a fictional bat-themed society
And they'll laugh at the toughskins your Mom got you from Sears
The group will ridicule and belittle those who are perceived as different or less fashionable
You dork they'll never let you in
The singer is emphasizing the exclusion of the listener from the group, mocking them and highlighting their social shortcomings
'Cause it's a real cool club and you're not part of it
The group exists to maintain exclusivity, shutting out and ostracizing those who do not meet their perceived standards
You're fat and ugly and an imbecile too
The artist resorts to personal insults, attacking the listener's self-esteem and intelligence
And that's why they draw funny pictures of you
The group enjoys mocking and making fun of those who are not part of their clique, resorting to childish behavior such as drawing pictures to further ridicule their targets
And talk bad about all the kids
The group perpetuates a culture of negativity and gossip, spreading rumors and disparaging comments about their peers
'Cause it's a real cool club and you're not a part of it
The exclusionary attitude of the group is reinforced, emphasizing that the listener is not and never will be part of their group
Yeah it's a real cool club and you'll never be a part of it
The singer repeats the message, further emphasizing the inaccessibility of the social group and the listener's lack of belonging to it
Yeah it's a real cool club and you're not part of it
The song concludes by reiterating the exclusivity of the group and the listener's outsider status
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: BENJAMIN M. FOSTER, BENJAMIN M FOSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind