The Riverdales

Since Screeching Weasel formed in the mid-’80s, frontman Ben Weasel has broken up the band a number of times. One of the biggest splits happened in 1994, just before the group released How To Make Enemies And Irritate People. Before the album came out, Weasel was already plotting his next move: a stripped-down rock trio called The Riverdales, which simplified Screeching Weasel’s already simple formula for melodic punk. The results weren’t impressive: The band’s 1995 debut played like a less-interesting Screeching Weasel record, but The Riverdales still caught on with that band’s fans. It’s continued to chug along (between occasional Screeching Weasel reunions) through four more middling albums, including this year’s harder-edged Tarantula.

Updated 08/11/2010