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In 2004 Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Screeching Weasel and Riverdales masters from Lookout!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.
Burn It Down
Screeching Weasel Lyrics
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The lyrics of Screeching Weasel's "Burn It Down" touch upon themes like disillusionment with the world, the need for change, and the destruction of our environment. The opening lines of the song suggest confusion about current affairs and whether any significant action is being taken to make a difference. The next line paints a picture of someone asleep, wearing makeup that runs down like tears - this may symbolize the facade we put on, even when we are hurting inside. The lines "watch them piss away any hope for change/any hope for anything new" represent how the apathy and indifference of those in positions of power can hinder progress and growth.
The chorus of the song is a call to action - to "burn it down", to start anew. The lines "step over bodies past corpses in waiting blank/it's just a human shell/it's just a memory" describe the aftermath of the destruction and the insignificant remains. The song also touches on how our indecision and inaction contribute to the destruction of the earth - "your indecision is a contribution to the cancer that infects the earth." The final lines of the song, "for the rest of your life it's gonna be so cold", suggest that unless we take action now and make a difference, our future will be bleak and devoid of hope.
Line by Line Meaning
and now i wonder what's going on and who's really in another world
I am confused about what is happening and who is really in control of this other world.
while you're asleep the makeup you're wearing runs down your face like so many tears
Your facade is crumbling and you are unable to maintain your false appearance.
watch them piss away any hope for change
Observe how they are wasting any opportunity for progress or improvement.
any hope for anything new and watch them burn it down
All potential for innovation is lost as they set everything ablaze.
turn the hoses on and announce a new beginning
Start anew by dousing the flames with water and restarting from the ashes.
tonight we wave and give up a smile as a flaming shuttle passes by outside the window
We feign happiness as we witness destruction happening right before our eyes.
something is creeping a burning skeleton beams with pride
There is a sinister force taking pleasure in the destruction being wrought.
step over bodies past corpses in waiting blank it's just a human shell it's just a memory
The dead bodies are empty and devoid of life and only remain as a haunting reminder of the past.
your indecision is a contribution to the cancer that infects the earth
Your inability to make a decision is aiding the spread of a toxic influence on the world.
that impassioned speech almost provides the heat to keep the people sleeping on the streets warm out there in the cold in a burnt-out world
The fiery speech may give temporary solace to the homeless and destitute living in a desolate and ruined world.
tonight we'll drink champagne and dance until it's dawn safe inside our fenced and guarded lawns
We will celebrate in a protected and controlled environment while the outside world burns.
let it burn down tonight ignore the blackened skies pouring down a bloody red rain
Allow everything to be destroyed tonight and disregard the horrific aftermath that will follow.
your television's watching you watching a blank watching a slab or meat you're just a memory
Your mindless consumption of television is turning you into a lifeless and forgettable entity.
it's burning down tonight for the rest of your life it's gonna be so cold
The world is going up in flames tonight and the cold reality of the aftermath will haunt you for the rest of your life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind