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In 2004 Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Screeching Weasel and Riverdales masters from Lookout!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.
Kathy's on the Roof
Screeching Weasel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She opens her window and sits on the roof whenever she is feeling bad
She's sick of these rules
And she's sick of this world
And she's totally sick of her life
She says the mundane fries like eggs on her brain
And now we all think she's lost her mind
Kathy's on the roof again
She's going down
Eating too little and sleeping too much
She was manic and now she's depressed
She ought to be with her peer group
Indeed she just needs to get things off her chest
They prod and they probe they sedate and they shock
They can't seem to get through to that girl
She only speaks about once every week
And then all she'll say is fuck the world
Kathy's on the roof again
She's going down
Her mother says she's crazy
And her sister says she's not
But everybody thinks she's flaky
We've gotta figure out just what's wrong with her
It's time to look into the cabinet
And make sure Kathy is taking her meds
It's time to prop Kathy in front of the TV
And wipe the drool off her dress
The sound of the Mexicans cutting the lawn
Again was buzzing throughout the whole house
We couldn't find her so we looked outside
And saw Kathy all over the ground
The lyrics to Screeching Weasel's song Kathy's on the Roof describe a troubled girl named Kathy who uses her rooftop as an escape from her unhappy life. The song portrays the frustration felt by those who care about Kathy but cannot seem to help her. She is described as sick of the rules and mundanity of life and is struggling with mental illness, swinging from mania to depression. Despite efforts to get through to her, Kathy retreats into herself, only speaking once a week to say "fuck the world." As the song progresses, it becomes apparent that Kathy is not getting the help she needs, and her family and friends try to force medication on her and control her behavior.
The song is a commentary on mental illness and the difficulties faced by those who suffer from it. It also highlights the struggle faced by loved ones who want to help but are often unable to do so. The lyrics are powerful and emotive, with a sense of urgency and desperation that conveys the seriousness of the situation.
Overall, Kathy's on the Roof is a poignant and insightful look at the challenges faced by those living with mental illness, as well as the difficulties faced by those who care about them.
Line by Line Meaning
She's got a place to go when she gets sad
Kathy has found a refuge in a certain place whenever she is feeling down.
She opens her window and sits on the roof whenever she is feeling bad
Kathy goes to the rooftop whenever she is feeling down and looks out the window to feel a bit better.
She's sick of these rules
Kathy is tired of following the rules and conforming to society's expectations.
And she's sick of this world
Kathy is fed up with the way the world works and wishes that things could be different.
And she's totally sick of her life
Kathy finds her life very unfulfilling and wishes that she could lead a better one.
She says the mundane fries like eggs on her brain
Kathy finds the everyday routine too boring and mundane, which makes her feel like her brain is being fried.
And now we all think she's lost her mind
Kathy's behavior has caused her friends and family to worry about her mental state.
She's going down
Kathy's mental health is deteriorating and she needs help.
Eating too little and sleeping too much
Kathy's eating and sleeping habits have changed, which is a sign of her struggling with her mental health.
She was manic and now she's depressed
Kathy has experienced both manic and depressive states, which are both symptoms of a mental illness.
She ought to be with her peer group
Kathy should be with people her own age and going through similar experiences to feel less isolated.
Indeed she just needs to get things off her chest
Kathy needs to talk about her problems and feelings to someone who can listen and offer support.
They prod and they probe they sedate and they shock
Kathy has been subjected to different types of treatment and medication to try and cure her mental illness.
They can't seem to get through to that girl
Kathy's mental illness is resistant to treatment and is difficult to cure.
She only speaks about once every week
Kathy does not talk much, which could be a symptom of her mental illness or a sign that she is not comfortable communicating with others.
And then all she'll say is fuck the world
Kathy's negative and cynical attitude towards the world is evident through her limited speech.
Her mother says she's crazy
Kathy's mother believes that she is mentally ill and needs help.
And her sister says she's not
Kathy's sister believes that she is not mentally ill and is worried about her wellbeing.
But everybody thinks she's flaky
Despite the differing opinions, everyone believes that Kathy's behavior is strange and unpredictable.
We've gotta figure out just what's wrong with her
Kathy's friends and family are concerned about her mental health and want to find out what is causing her behavior.
It's time to look into the cabinet
Kathy's medication needs to be checked and monitored to make sure that she is taking it regularly.
And make sure Kathy is taking her meds
Kathy needs to take her medication regularly to control her mental illness and prevent it from worsening.
It's time to prop Kathy in front of the TV
Kathy needs to be monitored and kept distracted from her negative thoughts and feelings.
And wipe the drool off her dress
Kathy might be experiencing side effects from her medication, which cause her to drool and need assistance with cleaning.
The sound of the Mexicans cutting the lawn
The noise of people outside is disturbing and distracts from the task of finding Kathy.
Again was buzzing throughout the whole house
The noise is loud and can be heard throughout the entire house.
We couldn't find her so we looked outside
Kathy is missing and cannot be found inside the house, which causes her friends and family to worry.
And saw Kathy all over the ground
Kathy has either fallen or jumped off the rooftop and has injured herself, which is a sign of her serious mental illness.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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