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In 2004 Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Screeching Weasel and Riverdales masters from Lookout!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.
One Step Beyond
Screeching Weasel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
anything that might confuse
the warped and twisted visions
of the narrow little paths you choose
we're all potential converts in your eyes
I think instead you need to take one step beyond
cause right now you're just standing on my head
I swore a million times I'd never play this game with you
you mouth the party line you learned from all your newfound friends
you tell me that you're feet are on the ground but now you're standing on my head
another gang of whitebred privelaged kids is all I see
I wonder if you really think that all your rules spell anarchy
react and call it revolution you're stuck in the first step
so don't pretend to be my friend
when all you're doing is standing on my head
The lyrics to “One Step Beyond” by Screeching Weasel talk about a person who tends to close themselves off from anything that might confuse them or challenge their opinions, leading them to have narrow-minded views. The song is a criticism of this person’s unwillingness to expand their horizons and consider the perspectives of others. The singer believes that this person needs to take a step beyond their current beliefs and open themselves to new ideas.
The song highlights the frustration of the singer towards this person who blindly follows a certain ideology and disregards the impact it may have on others. The lyrics criticize the way certain people adopt a party line and force it onto others, even if it goes against their best interests. By standing on the singer’s head, the person is actively taking advantage of their friendship and attempting to impose their own views.
The song is a commentary on narrow-mindedness, group thinking, and privilege. It urges the listener to think beyond the norm and not be swayed by societal pressures to conform. The final message of the song is that it's important to remain true to oneself and not allow others to stand on our heads.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems to me you shut out
You ignore anything that might contradict your beliefs
anything that might confuse
You avoid anything that challenges your worldview
the warped and twisted visions
Your beliefs are unhealthy and distorted
of the narrow little paths you choose
You have a limited and constricted way of thinking
we're all potential converts in your eyes
You see everyone as a potential follower of your beliefs
I think instead you need to take one step beyond
You should try to open your mind and consider other perspectives
cause right now you're just standing on my head
Your beliefs are suffocating me and preventing me from thinking for myself
I swore a million times I'd never play this game with you
I promised myself I wouldn't engage in this kind of argument with you
so don't act all offended when I tell you what I think of you
Don't act surprised when I express my honest opinion about you
you mouth the party line you learned from all your newfound friends
You repeat the same beliefs as your like-minded peers without any independent thought
you tell me that you're feet are on the ground but now you're standing on my head
You claim to be grounded, but your beliefs are still weighing me down
another gang of whitebred privileged kids is all I see
You and your friends are all from the same privileged background and lack diversity of perspective
I wonder if you really think that all your rules spell anarchy
I question whether your rigid beliefs will actually lead to a state of chaos and disorder
react and call it revolution you're stuck in the first step
You mistake reactive behavior for revolutionary action, and have not yet progressed past the initial stage
so don't pretend to be my friend
Don't act friendly if you're going to use your beliefs to control me
when all you're doing is standing on my head
Your beliefs are still limiting my own and preventing me from seeing the world for myself
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: BENJAMIN M. FOSTER, BENJAMIN M FOSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind