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In 2004 Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Screeching Weasel and Riverdales masters from Lookout!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.
Bite Marks
Screeching Weasel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With my tail swinging in the wind.
Grab a hold of me darling,
I'm about to break down again.
Now I'm reeling sideways.
Ain't it always the case?
I had to do it my own way
And it blew up right in my face.
Time and again
I manage to fuck up
Everything I come in contact with.
Grab a hold of me darling
Cause I think you're all that I've got left.
Bite marks and bruises
Come and go every day
But breaks and contusions
Take a little more time to fade.
I gotta get it under control now
Cause I know I'm only getting worse.
I know what all of my friends say
I can quote them chapter and verse.
Grab a hold of me darling
Even though I'm always such a mess.
Grab a hold of me darling
Cause I think you're all that I've got left.
Grab a hold of me darling
Cause I know you're all that I've got left.
The opening lines of Screeching Weasel's song Bite Marks describe a feeling of vulnerability and being left out to dry, as the singer feels "cracked open, left hanging with [their] tail swinging in the wind." They are in distress and seeking comfort and support from another person, which is conveyed in the repeated plea to "grab a hold of me darling" throughout the song. The lyrics reflect a sense of desperation and failure, as the singer acknowledges that they have messed up everything they have come in contact with, leading to "bite marks and bruises" that come and go every day. Despite this, the song displays a sense of determination as the singer acknowledges that they need to get their life under control, embracing personal responsibility for their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Cracked open, left hanging
Feeling vulnerable and exposed, with nothing to hold onto or support oneself.
With my tail swinging in the wind.
With no direction or purpose, feeling lost and directionless.
Grab a hold of me darling,
Desperately seeking comfort and support from someone they love.
I'm about to break down again.
On the brink of an emotional collapse, unable to hold it together any longer.
Now I'm reeling sideways.
Feeling dizzy and disoriented, unable to find balance or stability in their life.
Ain't it always the case?
Questioning why things always seem to go wrong or fall apart.
I had to do it my own way
Sticking to their own beliefs and desires, even if it means going against the norm.
And it blew up right in my face.
Their actions resulted in a negative consequence or outcome.
Time and again
Repeatedly, over and over.
I manage to fuck up
Continuously making mistakes or poor choices that have negative consequences.
Everything I come in contact with.
No matter what they do, they seem to cause harm or trouble.
Bite marks and bruises
Physical evidence of past struggles and pain.
Come and go every day
Some wounds heal quickly, but others linger and resurface frequently.
But breaks and contusions
More serious injuries that take longer to heal and have a greater impact on their well-being.
Take a little more time to fade.
It takes longer to fully recover from emotional and physical trauma.
I gotta get it under control now
Recognizing the need to take charge and make changes in their life.
Cause I know I'm only getting worse.
Acknowledging that their current behavior and habits are leading to further decline.
I know what all of my friends say
Being aware of the advice and warnings given by supportive friends.
I can quote them chapter and verse.
Knowing their friends' words of wisdom inside and out, but still struggling to follow through with their advice.
Even though I'm always such a mess.
Despite having many flaws and struggles, hoping to find love and support from someone else.
Cause I think you're all that I've got left.
Believing that one person can make all the difference in their life and bring them hope and happiness.
Cause I know you're all that I've got left.
Truly recognizing the value and importance of a supportive partner, and feeling grateful for their presence in their life.
Contributed by Adrian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.