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In 2004 Ben Weasel rescinded all of the Screeching Weasel and Riverdales masters from Lookout!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.
What Is Right
Screeching Weasel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics to Screeching Weasel's song "What Is Right" are reflective of the internal conflict the singer is experiencing. The first verse begins with the realization that things never last, highlighting the impermanence of life. The singer then declares himself a "punk rock christian," which may seem contradictory at first, but could be interpreted as an attempt to reconcile his punk rock ideology with his religious beliefs. The line "with a bug up my ass" suggests a sense of urgency and restlessness, indicating that the singer is grappling with some sort of existential crisis.
The chorus repeats the question "What is right?" which could refer to a search for meaning and purpose in life. The repeated phrase emphasizes the importance of this question and suggests that the singer is struggling to find the answer.
In the second verse, the singer acknowledges that his attitude rubs some people the wrong way, but questions why expressing himself through music is different from doing so in conversation. The line "why when I do it to you is it wrong" suggests that he feels unfairly judged for expressing himself honestly. The singer then affirms his love for his girlfriend, but seems unsure whether that love is enough to sustain a healthy relationship. The final line "why should I feel fucked up, shut out, hoced up, shut up in destiny?" expresses a sense of frustration and confusion about his circumstances.
Overall, the song portrays a quest for understanding and purpose, as the singer grapples with internal conflicts and seeks to reconcile his punk rock beliefs with his Christian faith.
Line by Line Meaning
gotta learn soon that things never last
I need to understand that nothing lasts forever.
cause i'm a punk rock christian with a bug up my ass
I have a rebellious spirit but I also have my faith.
gotta know now if it's all worth a fight
I need to decide if the things I fight for are worth it.
cause if there's really a god then what else is right ?
If there is a God, then I need to know what is right according to Him.
what is right [x4]
What is truly the right thing?
gotta lot of people don't like my attitude
Many people dislike the way I behave.
i don't know what the fuck i should do
I am unsure of how to handle this situation.
if you think it's ok when i rip in a song
If you are okay with me expressing myself through music,
then why when i do it to you is it wrong
why do you get upset when I express myself to you in the same way?
i gotta girl and i know i'm in love
I have a girlfriend and I am certain that I love her.
if you fight all the time can that be enough ?
If we argue frequently, is that enough love to sustain our relationship?
i gotta girl and i know that she loves me so
I have a girlfriend who I know loves me.
why should i feel fucked up, shut out, hoced up, shut up in destiny ?
Why should I feel helpless and trapped in my circumstances?
fuck !
An expression of frustration and anger.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind