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In 2004 Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Screeching Weasel and Riverdales masters from Lookout!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.
Six Percent
Screeching Weasel Lyrics
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The song Six Percent by Screeching Weasel is a rebellious and defiant call to arms against the expectations and societal norms that people are ingrained with from a young age. The lyrics warn against the dangers of blindly following the American Dream, which is portrayed as nothing more than a wild goose chase designed to keep people in a never-ending cycle of work, debt, and stress, all for the benefit of the six percent who rule over society. The singer urges the listener to cast off the shackles of conformity and embrace the uncertainty and freedom of pursuing one's own path.
Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes the importance of taking personal responsibility and rejecting the idea that life should follow a pre-determined plan. The lyrics encourage the listener to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. The message is clear: life is not a TV show, and success is not guaranteed. But by rejecting the expectations of society and daring to chart one's own course, there is the potential for a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Overall, Six Percent is a passionate rallying cry for anyone who feels disillusioned with the status quo and yearns for a life of their own making. It's a bold and defiant challenge to the notion that conformity is the only path to success and happiness in life.
Line by Line Meaning
don't let anyone tell you you better grow up soon or face the consequences of a life not planned out.
Do not let anyone force you to grow up before you are ready or scare you into following a predetermined path.
that's exactly what you need.
What you need is to leave behind what you have been taught and discover things for yourself.
i'm here to tell you leave the bullshit you've been taught behind and find out for yourself that work is slavery and it makes you a slave.
I am here to advise you to discard what you have been taught and realize that working for a living can be like being in bondage.
and i know it's easy for somebody like me to say.
I understand that someone like myself may find it easier to say such things.
but i dropped that fucking life and i don't regret the bridges that i burned, mistakes i made; they're what i learned from.
However, I personally have rejected that lifestyle and do not regret the consequences that have come as a result of my actions. I have learned from my mistakes.
yes, you've gotta pay the rent and feed yourself and then pay all the bills and taxes 'til you're ready to explode and kill yourself and those who get in your way.
Certainly, one has to pay for rent, food, bills, and taxes, and this can be so frustrating to the point where one can explode and become hostile toward others.
don't misunderstand me- i'm just trying to remind you that your life is not tv and things don't just work out; most of the time you're miserable.
I do not mean to be misunderstood; I am simply reminding you that in real life things do not always work out the way they do on TV; most of the time it can be quite hard.
the american dream is a big fucking lie; a wild goose chase. you're here to make the richest six percent a little richer.
The so-called American Dream is a lie; a worthless pursuit. The reality is that you are here to make the richest six percent a little wealthier.
don't you want something better? don't you want something that lasts? they're not your friends- they're your masters and they don't care if you live or die.
Do you not want something that is better and more enduring? The people you serve are not your friends; they are your rulers and they do not care about your life or your death.
you've gotta get out on your own. you've gotta get out of this stupid town and try to live for once instead of just existing.
You must go out and discover things for yourself; escape from this small town and find a life worth living instead of going through the motions day after day.
and i guarantee that pretty soon you're gonna see that things aren't half as good or as bad as they used to seem now that you're a thorn in the side of society; now that you're part of the problem; the ruination of a system that keeps you down, steals your money and your hope and then smacks you around.
I am confident that soon you will see that the world is not as good or bad as it had once appeared now that you are causing problems for society and playing a role in tearing down a system that oppresses you, strains your finances, kills your dreams, and abuses you.
don't you want to get out of this town? don't you want to get out of this fucking life?
Is it not your desire to leave this town or the drudgery of your current life behind?
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind