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In 2004 Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Screeching Weasel and Riverdales masters from Lookout!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.
On My Own
Screeching Weasel Lyrics
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The lyrics to Screeching Weasel's "On My Own" reflect the struggles of the singer with addiction and facing reality. The song opens with the singer reminiscing about a time when they didn't think they would see tomorrow, with a clenched fist and open eyes waiting for someone to follow. The singer then mentions relying on alcohol and sedatives to keep their demons at bay, but realizing that sex, drugs, and rock and roll couldn't make the living hell that seemed unchangeable just go away. The singer realizes that the darkness is here to stay and the only way out is to face reality.
Continuing with the theme of reality, the singer goes on to say that they didn't find a god or rely on twelve-step programs that encourage the belief in a higher power. Instead, the singer watches their life fall apart and thanks themselves for their own sick and damaged heart. The singer realizes that it's time to start looking at reality for what it is, accepting everything that comes with it, including hate, love, rage, and pain. The singer acknowledges that they don't feel ashamed of who they are and will face the truth.
In the last verse, the singer states that they will be right there with themselves, not betraying themselves, and facing everything head-on. The singer acknowledges that everything is interconnected, including science and dreams, mind and body, the power of love and the power of soul. The singer ends it all by stating that they will stay there, with themselves, and with whoever is listening to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
once upon a time it thought i wouldn't see tomorrow
There was a time when I didn't think I would live to see another day.
fist clenched eyes wide open waiting for someone to follow
I was anxious and looking for direction, hoping someone would guide me.
alcohol and sedatives just kept it all at bay
I used alcohol and drugs to escape my problems, but it only numbed my pain temporarily.
no sex or drugs or rock and roll could make the living hell that seemed unchangable just go away
No amount of pleasure or distractions could make my unbearable life circumstances disappear.
no it's here to stay
My problems are a part of me, and I have to learn to deal with them.
i didn't find a god i'll leave that for the weak of mind
I didn't turn to religion to solve my problems because I see it as a crutch for those who can't handle reality.
i didn't find twelve steps i'd rather leave that all behind
I didn't follow the traditional recovery process because I don't believe in it.
i watched as calmly as i could as my life seemed to fall apart
I observed my life spiraling out of control without giving in to panic.
then i sat and thanked myself for my own sick and damaged heart
I accepted and appreciated my own flaws and imperfections.
i learned it's time to start looking at reality and what i'll always be
I realized it's time to face the truth about who I am and my circumstances.
and especially all those things that i don't want to see
I acknowledge the parts of my life that I find uncomfortable and difficult to face.
looking at reality hate and love and rage and pain and i do not feel ashamed
I face the reality of my emotions without feeling embarrassed or weak.
and i will go ahead and face the truth the reality i need to free myself from self-preservation
I will continue to confront the truth, even if it's painful, so I can move past my self-destructive tendencies.
i will be right here i must believe that i won't ever betray myself
I will stay committed to my own wellbeing and not let myself down.
i'll be right here now i can see everything is interconnected
I recognize that everything in life is interconnected and I am a part of a greater whole.
and i will stay here with you science and dreams mind and body the power of love and the power of soul yes i will stay here with you
I choose to embrace all aspects of life, including science, creativity, the mind and body, and emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: BILL RICE, JERRY G FOSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind