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In 2004 Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Screeching Weasel and Riverdales masters from Lookout!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.
Chicago
Screeching Weasel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chicago, Chicago,
That totally town.
Chicago, Chicago,
I'm gonna show you around.
I love to bet you your bottom dollar,
Its the town thats really something good and shut down.
On State Street, the great street, I just want to say,
They do things they never do on Broadway.
They have the time, the time of their life.
I saw many dances in spite.
Chicago, Chicago, my home town.
Chicago, Chicago,
That totally town.
Chicago, Chicago,
Everybody's got their hand out.
Swear everyone's hurt their rival,
And selling Christmas cards in the pavement,
Remember Capone and Richy Daley,
The city that was.
On State Street, the great street, the total pawn shop.
But don't go too far or you'll be in Birdshire.
I saw a man beating up his wife,
A cop stood by and took his hand.
Chicago (Chicago), Chicago
That's my home town.
Screeching Weasel’s eclectic cover of Frank Sinatra’s “Chicago” serves as a sardonic and satirical commentary on both the city’s history and its tumultuous present. The lyrics paint an ironic picture of Chicago being a “totally” great place to visit, even though the singer admits to witnessing domestic abuse on the streets. The song’s opening line, “Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin’ town,” references the city’s lively and bustling atmosphere during the early 20th century. However, the “totally” and “hurt their rival” lines hint at Chicago’s seedy and often dangerous reputation.
Line by Line Meaning
Chicago, Chicago,
This is a great city.
That totally town.
It's a fantastic place to be.
Chicago, Chicago, I'm gonna show you around.
I want to give you a tour of the city.
I love to bet you your bottom dollar, You'll lose the blues in Chicago.
You will be so happy here that you won't have anything to feel sad about.
Its the town thats really something good and shut down.
Chicago is a great place to live and work, but things can be slow-paced here.
On State Street, the great street, I just want to say, They do things they never do on Broadway.
State Street is a great place to be because there are unique activities that you won't find on Broadway.
They have the time, the time of their life.
People in Chicago have a wonderful time.
I saw many dances in spite.
I saw many people dancing and having a good time despite any obstacles in their way.
Chicago, Chicago, my home town.
Chicago is where I'm from and I'm proud of it.
Everybody's got their hand out.
People in Chicago are looking for ways to make money.
Swear everyone's hurt their rival, And selling Christmas cards in the pavement,
People in Chicago are fiercely competitive and will go to great lengths to make money, including selling things on the street.
Remember Capone and Richy Daley, The city that was.
Chicago has had some famous and infamous figures in its past, including gangster Al Capone and mayor Richard Daley.
On State Street, the great street, the total pawn shop.
State Street is full of pawn shops where people can sell their belongings to make money.
But don't go too far or you'll be in Birdshire.
If you wander too far from the center of the city, you'll end up in a place that is less nice called Birdshire.
I saw a man beating up his wife, A cop stood by and took his hand.
I witnessed domestic violence and a police officer did not intervene, which is problematic.
That's my home town.
Chicago is where I grew up and it will always be special to me.
Contributed by Peyton C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
-Viperplayer187 -
The song that got me to appreciate Ben's voice
hootpar11
ahhhh, takes me back
PTBCS_LEGACYTV
I still have this disc.
Hard Left
i love all your vids
hootpar11
buddy of mine had the split with born against, loved the weasel songs but seemed a little weird transposed against such a different sound. dont know any other born against but didnt exactly look for it.
Logan Huber
I live there.