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In 2004 Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Screeching Weasel and Riverdales masters from Lookout!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.
Thrift Store Girl
Screeching Weasel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah she's a beautiful loser
She'll switch price tags for me
Sometimes meet me for coffee
And I don't think she does that
For anyone but me
She dresses me for absolutely nothing
I'm here for her to serve
She asks for nothing in return
'Cause she's a thrift store babe
She's like my live in maid
She's just a girl but still
She's really not afraid
To call in sick so we can hang out in Wicker Park
And rot amongst the cynical prototypes of our love
And I sincerely hope that she's always around
I hope she always stays around
The Screeching Weasels' song "Thrift Store Girl" is all about a girl who is attracted to a certain guy and goes out of her way to do things for him. The guy is grateful for her attention and is very happy with the arrangement. The title of the song 'Thrift Store Girl' implies the girl is probably interested in vintage fashion and prefers to shop at thrift stores. The lyrics convey different emotions throughout the song. In the first verse, the singer describes the Thrift Store Girl as a "beautiful loser" who pretends to swap price tags intentionally to get close to him. The singer, however, doesn't mind because it makes him feel special, and he quips that he doesn't believe she does the same for anyone else.
The second verse of the song talks about how the Thrift Store Girl does things for him without expecting anything in return. She dresses him for fun and acts as a maid since she asks for nothing in return. The singer considers her company special because she is not afraid to be herself and does not worry about what others might say. He is happy when she calls in sick so they can have lazy days hanging out at the Wicker Park instead. The final verse expresses the hope that the Thrift Store Girl will always be around, which implies the singer appreciates her presence in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well she's a thrift store girl
She is a woman who shops at thrift stores.
Yeah she's a beautiful loser
She is attractive but has had difficulties in life, and is not considered successful by society's standards.
She'll switch price tags for me
She will change the prices on items she sells so that I can purchase them for less money.
Sometimes meet me for coffee
Occasionally, she will join me for a cup of coffee.
And I don't think she does that
I do not believe that she engages in those actions....
For anyone but me
...for anyone other than myself.
She dresses me for absolutely nothing
She selects my clothing without any reciprocation or financial compensation.
Just 'cause she really likes me
Her fondness for me motivates her to dress me up.
I'm here for her to serve
My presence is to be of assistance to her.
She asks for nothing in return
She does not expect anything in exchange for our relationship.
'Cause she's a thrift store babe
She exhibits the same qualities as a 'thrift store girl.'
She's like my live in maid
She performs the duties and takes on the responsibilities of a domestic hired help.
She's just a girl but still
Although she is a female, she still...
She's really not afraid
...without fear...
To call in sick so we can hang out in Wicker Park
...to feign illness in order for us to spend time together...
And rot amongst the cynical prototypes of our love
...and dwell among the jaded examples of our romantic relationship.
And I sincerely hope that she's always around
I offer a genuine wish for her perpetual presence in my life.
I hope she always stays around
I hope that she remains in close proximity to me indefinitely.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: BENJAMIN M. FOSTER, BENJAMIN M FOSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind