Screeching Weasel - Baby Fat: Act 1 (2015)

Screeching Weasel have been released Act 1 of an epic, two-part punk rock opera titled Baby Fat. Featuring guest performances by Kat Spazzy, Blag Dahlia, Chris Burrows, Roger Lima, Todd Congelliere, Dave Klein, Line Dahlman, Paul Collins, Andrea & Mass of The Manges, and more. The second Act scheduled to release in 2017.

Ben Weasel wrote:
Baby Fat: Act 1 is the first act of a two-act rock opera I've been working on for the past few years. It’s not a rock opera in the traditional sense - the ones done by bands in the 70s seem to me to be concept records – but an actual opera with a linear narrative, featuring different singers portraying different characters. Baby Fat is the logical next step for Screeching Weasel after years of making themed and concept records like My Brain Hurts, Anthem For A New Tomorrow, Emo and These Ones Are Bitter.

I started writing this record in April 2011, though the genesis of a few of the songs dates as far back as a decade ago. I’ve put a ridiculous number of hours into writing, rewriting, arranging and demoing these songs. Not to mention writing and rewriting the story, going back and replacing entire blocks of songs to better define characters, and working on recurring musical themes to bookend scenes, etc. Hey, it’s taking up a double album for the first act alone – almost an hour of music! And all that has been a blast, but it’s time to start recording.

Now, don't let the fact that it's an opera scare you - if you liked Boogada and My Brain Hurts, you're going to love Baby Fat. It kicks all the ass you're used to, and some new kinds of ass you never even knew existed! In addition to the current lineup of Screeching Weasel, we'll be featuring some guest musicians - including Chris Gaylor and former SW bassist Dave Klein - and, of course, we'll have a bunch of different singers to sing different roles. It’s a Screeching Weasel record, but one that subverts, distorts, and breaks all the rules about what a rock record is supposed to be, not to mention what a rock band is supposed to be.

Let's face it – rock in general and punk in particular has more rules than the Taliban, and they always lead to boring music. If we brought this idea to the average label they'd try to get us to make a traditional record. Thankfully, Recess Records is 100% behind us - they’re ready and willing to release Baby Fat - but unfortunately they don’t have the money to fund the production. So we're bringing it to you.

I'd be lying if I said this wasn't a nerve-wracking proposition in a way. But at the same time, burning the rulebook has breathed new life into my songwriting. The old waking-up-at-3am-with-a-song-idea-that-can’t-wait insomnia is back; the house has gotten filthy because I can’t be bothered to clean when there are lyrics to be polished up; I pace around all amped up like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting for our producer (Mike Kennerty) to send me arrangement ideas and demo tweaks. I haven’t felt this nervous and excited about a new record since we signed with Lookout in 1991 - I'm half a cup of coffee away from Tom Cruise on Oprah's couch!

So what does any of this have to do with you? Simple: Capitalism is dead in the record industry, at least for us small frys. We're back to the patronage system and you're the modern-day counts, queens and dukes who will decide whether this record ever sees the light of day.

We've got some great perks to pique your interest, but more than anything, this campaign is about you guys bringing this record into existence. The purists (i.e., the Internet know-it-alls who wouldn't help fund this record if it was the second coming of Rocket To Russia) are going to piss on it. The critics are going to ignore it, because I stopped playing their games three years ago (I don't do press anymore). So it's up to you.

We've got a great crew that works hard to make sure our travel and shows go smoothly, but if nobody's buying tickets, there's no show to play. It's the same thing with Baby Fat – without you, there’s no record to make.

So the question for you is do you believe? Do you believe in Screeching Weasel? Do you believe in Baby Fat? Do you believe in magic, brothers and sisters? Then wave those wands and make Screeching Weasel’s Baby Fat: Act 1 a reality!

Tracklist:

01. Il Tremendo Fantasma (Baby Fat Overture)
02. Attention!
03. So Long, Mojo
04. Tower Of Talent
05. All Winter Long
06. I've Got VD
07. Kewpie Doll
08. The Entourage
09. Baby Fat's Got A Girlfriend
10. God Damn You
11. Satan Leapt
12. Things Aren't So Bad After All
13. Living Hell
14. Thine Eyes Of Mercy
15. Creeping In Silence
16. Here To Stay
17. Cursed
18. In The Pale Light Of The Midnight Sun
19. Disharmony
20. I'm A Lonesome Wolf
21. Just For Now
22. Poveretta
23. We Never Knew
24. Without Belief
25. Sleeping Beauty
26. Disharmony
27. Bound To Fall

all songs written by Ben Weasel





More info about recording & performers read inside the booklet.

Produced by Mike Kennerty
Mixed by Andy Carpenter
Mastered by Justin Perkins

• Ben Weasel – lead vocals, guitar
• Zac Damon – guitar
• Mike Hunchback – guitar
• Zach "Poutine" Brandner - bass
• Pierre Marche – drums, percussion

Release Date: May 26, 2015
Format: Digital Download
Label: Recess Records
Catalog No.: 189