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In 2004 Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Screeching Weasel and Riverdales masters from Lookout!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.
I Wrote Holden Caulfield
Screeching Weasel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you decided to tell me the truth
I heard you and that night I cried for you
I know that you're alone just like everyone else in the world
Don't tell me that things don't get better
'Cause sometimes they do
Sometimes they do and I know they will for you
And you're forgetting the things you just said
I'm hoping that you'll move ahead
I wonder if you'll ever come to realize what I always knew
I wrote Holden Caulfield and so did you
I want to know if you want to wake up
I want to know when you'll stop dying
For what you've done
Stop crying for what you've done
It's only the past
It's only life
What have you done that's so bad
It's only life so don't waste time
Why don't you stop crying
For what's done for what is done
The song "I Wrote Holden Caulfield" by Screeching Weasel explores the theme of alienation and loneliness through the prism of J.D. Salinger's novel "The Catcher in the Rye" and the character of the misfit protagonist Holden Caulfield. In the opening lines of the song, the singer expresses his affection for someone who has confided in him and told him the truth, perhaps revealing an inner anguish or struggle. The singer then acknowledges that everyone, despite appearances, is alone in the world, and this existential isolation is one of the main themes of Salinger's novel as well.
The chorus of the song is an optimistic message of hope, expressing the idea that things do get better, even if it may not seem like it in the moment. The days may be getting shorter, symbolizing the fleeting nature of life, but there is always the possibility of moving ahead and leaving past struggles behind. The singer has faith in the person he is addressing, believing that they too will discover this truth and overcome their present difficulties. The lyric "I wrote Holden Caulfield and so did you" suggests a connection between the singer and the addressee, as they both identify with Salinger's iconic misfit character, who struggles to find his place in the world.
In the second verse, the song becomes more urgent and confrontational as the singer urges the person to wake up and stop dwelling on their past mistakes or regrets. The lyric "It's only the past, it's only life" suggests a Stoic philosophy of accepting the things we cannot change and focusing on the present moment. The line "What have you done that's so bad?" is a rhetorical question that challenges the person's negative self-image and invites them to let go of their guilt or shame. The song ends with a repeated refrain of "Why don't you stop crying for what's done" that emphasizes the need to let go of the past and move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I loved you for the minute
I had feelings for you in that brief moment
When you decided to tell me the truth
When you finally opened up to me and were honest
I heard you and that night I cried for you
I listened to your struggles and empathized so much that I cried for you
I know that you're alone just like everyone else in the world
I understand that despite our relationships, ultimately we all feel alone
Don't tell me that things don't get better
Don't try to convince me that there is no hope or improvement for the future
'Cause sometimes they do
Because it is possible for things to improve
Sometimes they do and I know they will for you
I have faith that positive changes are in store for you
The days are getting shorter
The days are literally getting shorter, indicating the passage of time
And you're forgetting the things you just said
You seem to be contradicting yourself and not remembering your own words
I'm hoping that you'll move ahead
I want you to progress and not get stuck in the past
I wonder if you'll ever come to realize what I always knew
I question if you'll ever understand what I've been aware of all along
I wrote Holden Caulfield and so did you
We both expressed ourselves through this iconic literary character
I want to know if you want to wake up
I'm curious if you're ready to face reality and take action
I want to know when you'll stop dying
I want to know when you'll stop suffering and start living
For what you've done
For your actions and decisions
Stop crying for what you've done
Stop dwelling on your past mistakes and feeling sorry for yourself
It's only the past
The past is behind us and cannot be changed, so it's not worth lingering on it
It's only life
This is just one aspect of life, and there is much more to experience
What have you done that's so bad
What have you done that's irreversible or unforgivable?
It's only life so don't waste time
Since life is fleeting, don't squander it dwelling on negative events
Why don't you stop crying
Why not put aside the sadness and work on a brighter future?
For what's done for what is done
Stop crying over the past, it is already over and done with
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: BENJAMIN M. FOSTER, BENJAMIN M FOSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
XxxGondegon 420xxX
Considering that Mike Dirnt was featured on this album, and the possible reference to a Green Day song I decided to interpret this song about Green Day's big "Sell Out". First consider that Dookie was released in February of 1994, and this album was released June of 1994 (4 months later) the timeline matches up. Once you see this as Green Day's "Sell out" from SW's point of view the lyrics are pretty self explanatory.
"I Know you're alone just like everyone else in the world": Green Day felt alone and isolated by their former fans and scene after they signed onto a major label
"Don't tell me things won't get better, cause sometimes they do": Obviously Ben is saying that things will eventually get better for them
"I'm hoping you'll move ahead": Wishing Green Day luck in their further career
"I Wrote Holden Caufield and so did you": Perhaps reveling the hipocracy of their former fans. Meaning that both bands wrote the same kind of music yet Green Day is considered the sell outs
"Stop crying for what you've done": Don't ever regret going to the major labels
"It's only the past": Don't look back, and ignore the people who said that you were better before.
"What have you done that's so bad": Questioning former fans what the problem was
From this point of view the song almost makes me cry. However you interpret it I feel this is one of SW's best song, because of how passionate and anthemic it is. I saw them play this live last month and it was a very passionate and meaningful.
SubieSteve25
I loved you for the minute
when you decided to tell me the truth
I heard you and that night I cried for you
I know that you're alone just like everyone else in the world
Don't tell me that things don't get better
'cause sometimes they do
Sometimes they do and I know they will for you
The days are getting shorter
and you're forgetting the things you just said
I'm hoping that you'll move ahead
I wonder if you'll ever come to realize what I always knew
I wrote Holden Caulfield and so did you
I wanna know if you wanna wake up
I wanna know when you'll stop dying
for what you've done
stop crying for what you've done
it's only the past
it's only life
what have you done that's so bad
it's only life so don't waste time
why don't you stop crying
for what's done for what is done.
PrinceOpana
Best song on "Enemies". The words hit hard, like a tidal wave of over-emotion. I honestly believe that if most of Ben's classic songs were slowed & sung by a "good" vocalist, they'd be mega radio hits, even by today's Flop 40 standards. I'm not suggesting this should have or should be done, but it's a testament to his exquisite songwriting abilities.
don kee-yo-tee
PrinceOpana muahahahahshah
CilantroDaddy7000
long time has passed, but this is still a beautiful song in every way
XxxGondegon 420xxX
Considering that Mike Dirnt was featured on this album, and the possible reference to a Green Day song I decided to interpret this song about Green Day's big "Sell Out". First consider that Dookie was released in February of 1994, and this album was released June of 1994 (4 months later) the timeline matches up. Once you see this as Green Day's "Sell out" from SW's point of view the lyrics are pretty self explanatory.
"I Know you're alone just like everyone else in the world": Green Day felt alone and isolated by their former fans and scene after they signed onto a major label
"Don't tell me things won't get better, cause sometimes they do": Obviously Ben is saying that things will eventually get better for them
"I'm hoping you'll move ahead": Wishing Green Day luck in their further career
"I Wrote Holden Caufield and so did you": Perhaps reveling the hipocracy of their former fans. Meaning that both bands wrote the same kind of music yet Green Day is considered the sell outs
"Stop crying for what you've done": Don't ever regret going to the major labels
"It's only the past": Don't look back, and ignore the people who said that you were better before.
"What have you done that's so bad": Questioning former fans what the problem was
From this point of view the song almost makes me cry. However you interpret it I feel this is one of SW's best song, because of how passionate and anthemic it is. I saw them play this live last month and it was a very passionate and meaningful.
Pat W
Hahah, what are you talking about? You pretty much broke down the song by repeating the same points. I doubt this song is about Green Day.
Sumijati Bojong
Mr t experience also write about this holden
Strawberry Cough Drops
everybody knows this song is about how to make enemies and irritate people
Andrew Beaton
+Jimmie Mabe Not just reaching. The song is obviously about cake!
Jimmie Ramone
+XxxGondegon 420xxX I think you're reaching.
skrew37
He plays bass on this album and sings back up. Ben Weasel sings it.