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In 2004 Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Screeching Weasel and Riverdales masters from Lookout!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.
Judy Is A Punk
Screeching Weasel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Judy is a runt
They both went down to Berlin, joined the Ice Capades
And oh, I don't know why
Oh, I don't know why
Perhaps they'll die
Second verse, same as the first
Third verse, different from the first
Judy is a runt
They both went down to Frisco, joined the SLA
And oh, I don't know why
Oh, I don't know why
Perhaps they'll die
The lyrics to Screeching Weasel's song Judy Is A Punk are an interesting and somewhat nonsensical take on the punk lifestyle. The song opens with the lines "Jackie is a punk, Judy is a runt," which immediately establishes the main characters of the song. The second line, "They both went down to Berlin, joined the Ice Capades," is seemingly random and absurd, but it serves to illustrate the rebellious and non-conformist attitude of the punk subculture. The chorus, "Oh, I don't know why, perhaps they'll die," further emphasizes this attitude of living dangerously and recklessly.
The second verse is a repeat of the first, while the third verse takes a different turn. "They both went down to Frisco, joined the SLA" refers to the real-life radical group the Symbionese Liberation Army, which was active in the 1970s. This verse takes the rebellious attitude of the punk lifestyle to an extreme, as the SLA was a violent group that committed a number of high-profile crimes. The final chorus concludes the song with the same refrain as before, leaving the listener to ponder the ultimate fate of Jackie and Judy.
Line by Line Meaning
Jackie is a punk
Jackie is rebellious and likely involved in underground punk culture.
Judy is a runt
Judy is small and weak, perhaps vulnerable to others' influence.
They both went down to Berlin, joined the Ice Capades
Jackie and Judy left their normal lives behind to pursue an unconventional and exciting artistic career on ice in a new location.
And oh, I don't know why
The artist is uncertain and confused about the motives behind Jackie and Judy's actions.
Oh, I don't know why
The artist is still uncertain and questioning the purpose behind Jackie and Judy's choices.
Perhaps they'll die
The singer fears for the safety and wellbeing of Jackie and Judy as they take risks and pursue dangerous lifestyles.
Second verse, same as the first
The narrative repeats, emphasizing the cyclical nature of Jackie and Judy's choices, perhaps highlighting a lack of progress or growth in their lives.
Third verse, different from the first
The last stanza introduces a new setting and situation for Jackie and Judy, highlighting their continued pursuit of risky and unconventional lifestyles.
They both went down to Frisco, joined the SLA
Jackie and Judy have now become involved with the extreme political group known as the Symbionese Liberation Army in San Francisco, implying they may be involved in violent or illegal activity.
And oh, I don't know why
The artist still cannot fully understand why Jackie and Judy choose to engage in these radical pursuits and put themselves in danger.
Oh, I don't know why
The singer remains confused and concerned about the motivations behind Jackie and Judy's life choices.
Perhaps they'll die
Once again, the artist expresses fear for the safety and wellbeing of Jackie and Judy as they continue to take risks and engage in potentially dangerous activities.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DEE DEE RAMONE, DOUGLAS COLVIN, JEFFREY HYMAN, JOEY RAMONE, JOHN (RAMONE) CUMMINGS, JOHNNY RAMONE, THOMAS ERDELYI, TOMMY RAMONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind