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In 2004 Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Screeching Weasel and Riverdales masters from Lookout!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.
Little Big Man
Screeching Weasel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you'll excuse me, I′ve got names to drop
You think my lyrics don't make sense?
Well, maybe you're a little dense
Pretentious? Moi? Don′t be absurd
Sure, I use some twenty dollar words
But brother, I′m the salt of the Earth
And I'm stuck here tending bar
I hold my own with all the punk rock stars
My politics are so correct
I march along in perfect step
And all my pals think like I do
That′s how I know I've got a clue
Now let me make this crystal clear
You point and laugh at all that I hold dear
But I′ve got the respect of all my peers
And they're allowed to take the piss
But if you cross me then I′ll shake my fist
And tell the internet about it
I'm a big man
It's time for me to show my ass
And pass some rumors on as fact
Now don′t you dare call me a clown
I′ll have my lawyer shut your website down
I went on tour with NOFX
I didn't really have a job with them
But I′ll have you know they're personal friends
I got to ride Fat Mike′s giraffe
And we all sat around and laughed
At everyone who's sick of my act
Little big man
I′m a big man
Little big man
The lyrics to Screeching Weasel's song "Little Big Man" embody the pretentiousness and hypocrisy often found in the punk rock scene. The singer claims not to be a dilettante but then drops names to prove his worth. He defends his use of "twenty dollar words" but also claims to be the "salt of the Earth". His politics are "so correct" and his opinions align with his friends, leading him to believe that he "knows" things. He warns others not to cross him or they'll feel the wrath of his internet presence, exposing his insecurity and need for validation.
The chorus, "I'm a big man / Little big man", is a contradiction in terms and suggests that the singer is trying to present a tough persona despite his true lack of confidence. He boasts about going on tour with NOFX and riding Fat Mike's giraffe, but it's unclear if this is true or just another example of him trying to impress others. The overall message seems to be a critique of the punk rock scene and its tendency to elevate certain individuals based on false pretenses.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not just some dilettante
I'm not just an amateur; I have knowledge and experience
If you'll excuse me, I've got names to drop
I have important people to talk about and flaunt my connections
You think my lyrics don't make sense?
You believe my music doesn't have a coherent message?
Well, maybe you're a little dense
Perhaps you don't understand my refined lyrics
Pretentious? Moi? Don't be absurd
Me, affected? That's ridiculous
Sure, I use some twenty dollar words
I employ complex vocabulary in my lyrics
But brother, I'm the salt of the Earth
I'm the real deal, honest and genuine
And while my band might be subpar
My band's abilities may not be top-notch
And I'm stuck here tending bar
And I find myself working as a bartender
I hold my own with all the punk rock stars
I'm just as respected as other punk rock musicians
My politics are so correct
My political beliefs are unassailably right
I march along in perfect step
I unwaveringly support my political ideology
And all my pals think like I do
All my friends share my political beliefs
That's how I know I've got a clue
Being surrounded by like-minded individuals confirms my beliefs
Now let me make this crystal clear
Let me be perfectly clear about my following statements
You point and laugh at all that I hold dear
You mock the things I hold important
But I've got the respect of all my peers
My fellow musicians regard me highly
And they're allowed to take the piss
They're allowed to make fun of me
But if you cross me then I'll shake my fist
However, if you criticize me, I'll retaliate
And tell the internet about it
And I'll publicize our conflict on the internet
I'm a big man
I'm an important person
It's time for me to show my ass
Now, it's time for me to reveal my true self
And pass some rumors on as fact
And I'll spread some gossip as if it's true
Now, don't you dare call me a clown
Don't even think about calling me foolish or inept
I'll have my lawyer shut your website down
I'll pursue legal action against you for defamation
I went on tour with NOFX
I toured with the band NOFX
I didn't really have a job with them
I didn't actually have a specific role on the tour
But I'll have you know they're personal friends
But I want to convey that I am on good terms with the band members
I got to ride Fat Mike's giraffe
I had the opportunity to ride on a novelty object owned by Fat Mike
And we all sat around and laughed
And we all shared some humorous moments
At everyone who's sick of my act
Mocking those who are tired of my work
Little big man
I'm a small person with a big ego
I'm a big man
I'm an important and impressive person
Little big man
I am a small, insignificant person with an unwarranted sense of importance
Writer(s): Foster Benjamin M
Contributed by Matthew C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.