Tightrope (song)
Encyclopedia
The song, "Tightrope", was recorded by the Chicago pop-punk band Screeching Weasel
during the sessions for their tenth studio album, Emo
. The song was, however, left off the album when released "simply because Ben Weasel
didn't feel it [fitted] in thematically". The song was later released in 2000 on Thank You Very Little
, a double-disc compiling b-sides and live recordings. The song is noteworthy as it represents fairly direct criticism by Ben Weasel of what he terms "tough-guy, so-called working class or street punk
bands". In the lyrics to the song, he takes specific aim at the glorification of violence by such bands and their claims to represent the "working class". Although neither Ben Weasel nor any other member of Screeching Weasel has stated which specific bands were being referred to, it seems likely that Hellcat Records
acts such as Rancid
, and the Dropkick Murphys
were the intended targets. The Dropkick Murphys, one of the most avowedly "working class" bands in the American punk scene, have not issued any public response to the song. Rancid did note in the liner notes to their 2003 album, "Indestructible", that they had been referred to by others as a "pack of badgers", a lyric in the song.
(led by Joe King
, a close friend of Ben Weasel), contained the song, Little Rich Working Class Oi-Boy, featuring sentiments similar to those expressed in Weasel's Tightrope.
Screeching Weasel
Screeching Weasel is an American punk rock band originally from Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1986 by Ben Weasel and John Jughead.Since their formation, Screeching Weasel have broken up and reformed numerous times with numerous line-up changes. Ben Weasel has been the only constant...
during the sessions for their tenth studio album, Emo
Emo (album)
Emo is the ninth studio album by the American punk rock band Screeching Weasel. It was released on May 18, 1999 through Ben Weasel's and John Jughead's label Panic Button Records. It was their first album released through Panic Button Records. The album was recorded in Chicago during the blizzard...
. The song was, however, left off the album when released "simply because Ben Weasel
Ben Weasel
Ben Weasel is a punk rock musician, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of bands Screeching Weasel and The Riverdales...
didn't feel it [fitted] in thematically". The song was later released in 2000 on Thank You Very Little
Thank You Very Little
Thank You Very Little is a compilation by Screeching Weasel. It contains b-sides, rarities, and a live show. The title was taken from a line in the movie Caddyshack...
, a double-disc compiling b-sides and live recordings. The song is noteworthy as it represents fairly direct criticism by Ben Weasel of what he terms "tough-guy, so-called working class or street punk
Street punk
Street punk is a working class-based genre of punk rock which took shape in the early 1980s, partly as a rebellion against the perceived artistic pretensions of the first wave of British punk. Street punk emerged from the Oi! style, performed by bands such as Sham 69, Angelic Upstarts, Cockney...
bands". In the lyrics to the song, he takes specific aim at the glorification of violence by such bands and their claims to represent the "working class". Although neither Ben Weasel nor any other member of Screeching Weasel has stated which specific bands were being referred to, it seems likely that Hellcat Records
Hellcat Records
Hellcat Records is an independent record label based in Los Angeles, California. The label, an off-shoot of Epitaph Records, was started as a partnership between Brett Gurewitz carp Bad Religion, the owner of Epitaph, and Tim Armstrong of Rancid, the latter of whom is generally responsible for...
acts such as Rancid
Rancid (band)
Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, both of whom previously played in the ska punk band Operation Ivy, Rancid is credited—along with Green Day and The Offspring—for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the...
, and the Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
were the intended targets. The Dropkick Murphys, one of the most avowedly "working class" bands in the American punk scene, have not issued any public response to the song. Rancid did note in the liner notes to their 2003 album, "Indestructible", that they had been referred to by others as a "pack of badgers", a lyric in the song.
Similar Songs
The 2000 release, Beyond the Valley of the Assfuckers, by New Hampshire pop-punk band, The QueersThe Queers
The Queers are a punk band formed in 1981 by Portsmouth, New Hampshire native Joe King . The band originally broke up in 1984, but reformed with Joe Queer and a new line-up in 1986. In 1990, the band signed with Shakin' Street Records and released their first album Grow Up...
(led by Joe King
The Queers
The Queers are a punk band formed in 1981 by Portsmouth, New Hampshire native Joe King . The band originally broke up in 1984, but reformed with Joe Queer and a new line-up in 1986. In 1990, the band signed with Shakin' Street Records and released their first album Grow Up...
, a close friend of Ben Weasel), contained the song, Little Rich Working Class Oi-Boy, featuring sentiments similar to those expressed in Weasel's Tightrope.