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In 2004 Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Screeching Weasel and Riverdales masters from Lookout!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.
Raining Needles
Screeching Weasel Lyrics
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The lyrics to Screeching Weasel's song "Raining Needles" paint a graphic and frightening image of a painful and deadly experience. The singer describes how they are being pelted with needles and experiencing extreme pain, as the needles stick into their head, hands, eyes, and throat. They are covered in needles, their blood is red, and they feel as if they are dying. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the effects of addiction, as the needles could represent drug use and the physical and emotional pain that can accompany it. The repeated plea for help from "guys" could represent the desire for support and the need for others to recognize and respond to the struggle of addiction.
The emotions and sensations described in the lyrics of "Raining Needles" powerfully convey the harrowing experience of addiction. The visceral descriptions of pain and bloodshed create a sense of urgency and desperation, highlighting the severity of addiction and emphasizing the need for understanding and support. The straightforward language and repetition in the song also suggest a sense of resignation and acceptance of the inevitable consequences of addiction, ultimately leading to death.
Line by Line Meaning
it's raining needles stuck in my head
I am experiencing intense and unbearable pain equivalent to needles piercing my head incessantly
i wish i had stayed home in bed
I regret coming out in the rain and exposing myself to this painful situation
raining needles - help me guys !
This excruciating pain is so severe that I need immediate assistance
in my hands in my eyes my throat was stabbed
The needles have caused wounds and injuries in my hands, eyes, and throat leading to unbearable pain and discomfort
i gurgle blood i fall on needles in the mud
The injuries caused by needles are so severe that I have started bleeding and have lost my balance as I fall onto muddy needles
in my head in my shirt in my body it really hurts
The pain and injuries caused by raining needles are widespread and unbearable in different parts of my body including head, shirt, and the internal organs
covered with needles my blood is red
The injuries are so deep and widespread that my entire body is covered with needles and my blood has turned red
really hurts oh wow i'm dead
The pain is so unbearable that it feels like death is the only outcome
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: BENJAMIN M. FOSTER, BENJAMIN M FOSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind