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In 2004 Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Screeching Weasel and Riverdales masters from Lookout!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.
Get Off My Back
Screeching Weasel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
finget at me
And you know that's a really good
way to lose that thing
but i'm not gonna bite this time
cause i know that you think
you're right
but the facts of the case indicate that
you're a chronic pest you don't know
what you're talking about
but you cause such a horrible stink
when you open your mouth
and you couldn't be any more wrong
and you're not gonna last too long
if you don't wise up'cause you're just
about to get the gong
get off my back
you're outside looking in planning on
picking a fight
but the sign on your neck says no
feeding the parasite
so i guess that it's fine with me
i'll tick a lock and toss away the key
but don't call me when your cat
gets stuck in a tree
The lyrics to Screeching Weasel's song "Get Off My Back" are directed towards someone who is constantly bothering and criticizing the singer. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer being defensive and warning the person to back off. They claim that the person poking their finger at them is a good way to "lose that thing," likely referring to getting into a physical altercation. However, the singer decides not to fight back this time, because they believe that the person is wrong and out of line.
In the second verse, the singer continues to describe the person's behavior as irritating and annoying, referring to them as a "chronic pest" and suggesting that they don't know what they're talking about. Despite this, the person continues to argue their point and make a "horrible stink" when they open their mouth. The singer insists that the person is wrong and that they won't last long if they don't wise up, suggesting that they are close to being kicked out or cut off in some way.
The final line of the song is a warning to the person to stay away from the singer, even if they need help. They suggest that they will lock the door and throw away the key, indicating that they have had enough of this person's behavior and that they will not tolerate it any longer. The song is a clear message to someone who is constantly bothering and criticizing the singer, telling them to back off and stay away.
Line by Line Meaning
You're outside looking in poking your finger at me
You're an outsider who's trying to interfere with my personal matters and criticizing me.
And you know that's a really good way to lose that thing
You're taking a needless risk by provoking me and you'll pay for it, sooner or later.
But I'm not gonna bite this time cause I know that you think you're right
I won't react impulsively to your provocations because I understand your perspective, even though I don't agree with it.
But the facts of the case indicate that you're out of line
The reality of the situation shows that you're mistaken and misguided in your criticisms of me.
You're a chronic pest you don't know what you're talking about
You're an annoying gadfly who lacks knowledge or insight into the issues you're discussing.
But you cause such a horrible stink when you open your mouth
You make a negative and unpleasant impression on me and others whenever you speak.
And you couldn't be any more wrong
You're so far from being accurate or correct that it's almost comical.
And you're not gonna last too long if you don't wise up 'cause you're just about to get the gong
If you don't start making more intelligent and informed comments, you're going to be quickly dismissed and ridiculed by everyone around you.
Get off my back
Stop interfering with me and leave me alone.
You're outside looking in planning on picking a fight
You're still trying to provoke me and initiate a conflict, even though it's unproductive and unnecessary.
But the sign on your neck says no feeding the parasite
You're like a leech or a parasite who's trying to suck something out of me, but I won't allow it because you're not worth my time or attention.
So, I guess that it's fine with me, I'll tick a lock and toss away the key
I don't care what you do because I've already locked you out of my life and moved on from our interactions.
But don't call me when your cat gets stuck in a tree
I don't want to be involved with you or your problems anymore, so don't bother reaching out to me for help in the future.
Contributed by Jasmine K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.