Screeching Weasel

While Naked Raygun might be Chicago's most beloved punk band, Screeching Weasel (formely known as All Night Garage Sale) is arguably the most well-known on a national level. Since 1986, the band has issued a slew of LPs, EPs, and compilation tracks despite frequent line-up changes, record label problems, break-ups, and controversies and animosities that seemed to follow frontman Ben Weasel. The band announced they were splitting for good in 2001 but there were some random reunion shows in 2004. In 2009, Ben announced that the band was reforming again, this time without guitarist and co-founder Jughead. At a SXSW performance in 2011, Ben Weasel punched a female audience member, after which the then current line-up quit the band (although Ben maintains he fired them after the show). Ben has since continued on with new players.

Members

Current Line Up

• Ben Foster aka Ben Weasel - Vocals/Guitar (1986-1989, 1991-1994, 1996-2001, 2004, 2009- )
• Mike Kennerty - Guitar (2022- )
• Mike Catalano aka Mike Hunchback - Guitar (2011- )
• Zach Brandner aka Poutine - Bass (2013- )
• Pierre Marche - Drums (2011- )

Former Members

• John Pierson aka Jughead - Guitar (1986-1989, 1991-1994, 1996-2001, 2004)
• Dan Schafer aka Dan Vapid aka Sewercap - Bass/Guitar (1989, 1991-1994, 1996-1997, 2004, 2009-2011)
• Dan Sullivan aka Dan Panic - Drums (1991-1994, 1996-1997)
• Mass Giorgini - Bass (1998-2001, 2004)
• Dan Lumley - Drums (1998-2001, 2004)
• Steve Dubick aka Steve Cheese - Drums (1986-1988) (R.I.P. 2021)
• Vince Vogel aka Vinnie Bovine - Bass (1986-1988)
• Brian McQuaid aka Brian Vermin - Drums (1988-1989)
• Philip Hill - Guitar (2000-2001)
• Warren Fischer aka Fish - Bass (1988-1989)
• John Stockfisch aka Johnny Personality - Bass (1992)
• Dave Lally aka Dave Naked - Bass (1991-1992)
• Scott Conway aka Gub - Bass (1992)
• Douglas Ward aka Doug ID Under aka Doug Wonderful - Guitar (1989)
• Mike Dirnt - Bass (1994)
• Simon Lamb - Guitar (2009-2010)
• Justin Perkins - Bass (2009-2011)
• Adam Cargin - Drums (2009-2011)
• Drew Fredrichsen - Guitar (2010-2011)
• Dave Klein - Bass (2011-2013)
• Zac Damon - Guitar (1998-1999, 2011-2017)
• Trevor Jackson - Guitar (2017-2021 )

Discography

• 27 song demo tape (1986)
• Screeching Weasel LP (Underdog Records 1987)
  • Licensed to Shikagu Trading/What Goes On? in 1987, who issued it in England.
  • Reissued on CD by VML Records in 1997 with 12 bonus tracks.
• If You Can't Have Fun...Why Bother Living? split with The Ozzfish Experience 7" (Weaselfish Records, 1987)
  • The record was never released but the covers had been printed and some were sold prior to the planned release. These came with a coupon for the record. 2 test pressings exist, one originally owned by Fish and the other owned by Jughead.
  • Screeching Weasel's songs were released on the 1997 CD reissue of their debut album.
• split 7" w/Moving Targets (What Goes On? 1988)
  • This was a promo released by What Goes On?
  • Features 2 songs from the first album
• Boogadaboogadaboogada! LP (Roadkill Records 1988)
  • The first 200 copies of the original pressing included an insert of the band bowling in the nude.
  • Licensed to Wetspots in 1988, who issued it in England with an entirely different cover (a cartoon drawing of a paper boy flipping off an old man).
  • Reissued on LP/CS/ CD by Lookout Records in 1992.
  • Reissued on CD by Asian Man Records in 2005.
  • Reissued on colored vinyl by Recess Records in 2008 (1st pressing: 500 copies on grey vinyl; 2nd pressing: 500 copies on pink vinyl; 3rd pressing: 500 copies on blue vinyl; 4th pressing: 500 copies on white vinyl).
• Punkhouse 7" EP (Limited Potential Records 1989)
  • Reissued by No Budget Productions in 1991 w/o a sleeve
  • Reissued in 1993 by Selfless Records with a different cover photo (taken at the same session as the original photo).
  • Included on the Kill The Musicians CD.
• My Brain Hurts LP/CS/CD (Lookout Records 1991)
  • Reissued on CD by Asian Man Records in 2005.
  • Reissued on LP by Recess Records in 2009 with new cover art (1st pressing: 2000 copies, clear, white, orange, and pink vinyl, 500 copies per color).
• Pervo-Devo 7" EP (Shred of Dignity 1991)
  • Came with the last issue of Ben's sex-themed 'zine, Teen Punks In Heat.
  • Repressed by the same record label in 1992, only they had changed their name from "Shred of Dignity" to "Outpunk".
  • Included on the Kill The Musicians CD.
• Snappy Answers To Stupid Questions 7" EP (Selfless Records 1992)
  • Live performance on WFMU.
  • Limited to 1500 copies on blue vinyl
• Happy, Horny, Gay, and Sassy 2x7" EP (Selfless Records 1992)
  • A repress of "Snappy Answers...", but it also included a second, one-sided 7" and a second cover which was a graphic close-up photo of a gay blow job.
  • Limited to 300 copies on pink vinyl.
• Wiggle LP/CS/CD (Lookout Records 1993)
  • Was supposed to come out in 1992, but was delayed until 1993. The copyrights still read 1992.
  • The Lookout CD version had 3 bonus tracks (2 demos w/the Wiggle line up and a comp track from 1989).
  • Reissued on CD by Asian Man Records in 2005 with an additional bonus track.
  • Reissued on colored vinyl by Recess Records in June 2009 (1st pressing: 2000 copies, clear, white, red, and green vinyl, 500 copies per color).
  • Reissued on limited color vinyl and CD by Monona Music in 2017. This version was remixed, has yellow artwork (instead of black like the previous versions) and only features the 14 tracks that were on the original Lookout Records vinyl and cassette versions released in 1993.
• Radio Blast 7" EP (Underdog Records 1993)
  • Pressed on burgundy vinyl and black vinyl.
  • Blink-182 covered the B-side, "The Girl Next Door".
  • Included on the Kill The Musicians CD.
• Ramones LP (Selfless Records 1993)
  • A cover of the Ramones entire 1st LP.
  • The first pressing came in cardboard sleeve and was available on both white and black vinyl.
  • Second pressing consisted of 300 copies on white vinyl for SW's 1993 tour. Instead of coming in a cardboard sleeve, it came with silkscreen covers.
• You Broke My Fucking Heart 7" EP (Lookout Records 1993)
  • Included on the Kill The Musicians CD.
• split 7" EP w/Pink Lincolns (VML Records 1993)
  • Limited to 1500 copies
  • One SW song was included on the Kill The Musicians CD, the other was included as a CD bonus track on Wiggle.
• Anthem For A New Tomorrow LP/CS/CD (Lookout Records 1993)
  • Reissued on CD by Asian Man Records in 2005.
  • Reissued on clear, blue, red, and green vinyl by Recess Records in 2012.
  • Remixed and remastered in 2023. CD and pink vinyl edition issued by Striped Records in Europe. Green, blue and orange vinyl issued in the US by Recess Records.
• El Mozote/Janelle split 7"/CD EP w/Born Against (Lookout Records 1993)
  • Each band put their own music to lyrics written by the other band.
  • The CD version contains an extra track by each band from different compilations.
  • These songs have never seen reissue.
• Suzanne Is Getting Married b/w Waiting For Susie 7" single (Lookout Records 1994)
  • Lookout pressed the sleeves with a cartoon drawing of 2 punks on a wedding cake. At Ben Weasel's insistence, a photo from the wedding of the real Suzanne was pasted over the drawing. The record was later issued without the pasted photo.
  • Included on the Thank You Very Little double CD.
• How To Make Enemies And Irritate People LP/CS/CD (Lookout Records 1994)
  • The original record insert included a detailed discography of the band (up to 1994).
  • Reissued on CD by Asian Man Records in 2005.
  • Reissued on colored vinyl (blue, red, yellow, white) with new cover art by Recess Records in 2013.
  • Remixed & Remastered in 2023 for its 30th anniversary (even though 2023 was 29 years after it was released). Digitally self-released with a limited CD edition on Rum Bar Records. Vinyl version release date TBD.
• Kill The Musicians CD (Lookout Records 1995)
  • CD only compilation of out of print and unreleased tracks.
  • Reissued on CD by Asian Man Records in 2005.
  • Reissued and remaster in 2023 digitally (self-release) and CD (Rum Bar Records) with a vinyl release date TBD.
• Bark Like A Dog LP/CD (Fat Wreck Chords 1996)
• Formula 27 7" EP (Vermiform 1996)
  • Reissued by Panic Button in 1998.
• Major Label Debut 12" EP/CD EP (Panic Button Records 1998)
  • The first release for Panic Button Records.
• Television City Dream LP/CD (Fat Wreck Chords 1998)
  • Remastered version issued in 2010 with new cover art and 5 additional songs.
• The Beat Is On The Brat CD (Panic Button Records 1998)
  • CD only repackaging of the Ramones LP and "Formula 27" EP.
• Emo LP/CD (Panic Button Records 1999)
• Jesus Hates You 7" EP (Probe Disc 1999)
  • Featured covers of the Stooges, Stiff Little Fingers, and the Subhumans (Canadian band)
  • Released as a picture disc with the photo of a naked SW fan.
  • Included on the Thank You Very Little double CD
• Thank You Very Little 2xCD (Panic Button Records 2000)
  • Double CD collection of mostly unreleased tracks. 2nd disc has demos and a live show.
• Teen Punks In Heat LP/CD (Panic Button Records 2000)
• Weasel Mania CD (Fat Wreck Chords 2005)
  • Greatest Hits collection.
• First World Manifesto LP/CD (Fat Wreck Chords 2011)
• Carnival Of Schadenfreude 12" EP (Recess Records 2011)
• Baby Fat, Vol. 1 2xLP/CD (Recess Records 2015)
  • "Rock opera" featuring guest appearances from members of the Dwarves, All-American Rejects, Saccharine Trust, the Pink Lincolns, and others.
  • Crowd-funded recording
• "Christmas Eve"/"New Year's Eve" digital single (Monona Records, 2017)
• All Night Garage Sale digital compilation (Monona Records, 2018)
  • Selected demo tracks recorded between 1986 and 1988.
  • All Night Garage Sale was the band's original name when they formed in 1986.
• Live '88 digital album (Monona Records, 2020)
  • Recorded live at the Gilman Street Warehouse in Berkeley, CA, in 1988
• Some Freaks of Atavism digital album (Monona Records, 2020)
  • Limited vinyl additions released by Recess Records in the US and Striped Records in Europe.
  • Limited cassette edition released by Memorable But Not Honorable.
• Suburban Vermin digital compilation (Monona Records, 2020)
  • Compilation of all tracks recorded with drummer Brian Vermin, recorded in 1989 and 1990.
  • Suburban Vermin was one of choices considered when the band was dropping the "All Night Garage Sale" moniker.
• "I Wanna Be A Homosexual" b/w "She's Giving Me The Creeps" digital single (Monona Records, 2021)
  • Digital re-release of two songs from the Pervo-Devo 7".
• My Right EP digital EP (Monona Records, 2021)
  • 4 demos tracks from 1988.
• The Awful Disclosures of Screeching Weasel digital album (Monona Records, 2022)
  • Limited vinyl edition licensed to Striped Records
  • CD version licensed to Rum Bar Records

Links

• Official site
• Bandcamp site
• Discogs
• Facebook
• Musicality of the Mundane: A Screeching Weasel Ballad - A 2019 essay about Screeching Weasel by Jughead