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 member, though Jughead was present in every incarnation of the band until 2009. Other prominent members include guitarist/bassist Dan Vapid and drummer Dan Panic, who have each appeared on six of the band's studio albums, and Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt who was briefly a member of the band.

Screeching Weasel recorded 12 studio albums, splitting time between a number of famous independent record labels such as Lookout! Records and Fat Wreck Chords. Despite never achieving mainstream success, a number of largely popular acts cite them as influential.

In 1986, Ben Foster and John Pierson were inspired to start a band after attending a Ramones concert. Foster (who played bass and sang) rechristened himself "Ben Weasel", while Pierson, a guitarist, dubbed himself "John Jughead". The duo recruited Steve Dubick as drummer who went by the alias of Steve Cheese to complete the band.

Ben Weasel (born Benjamin Foster) is a punk rock musician, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of bands Screeching Weasel and The Riverdales. He is also co-host of Weasel Radio, a weekly radio show formerly on ESPN 1070, which was relaunched as a podcast.

Foster was raised in Prospect Heights, Illinois and expelled from three different high schools for unruly behavior. He was eventually sent to the Elan School in Poland, Maine to finish high school. Today Ben lives in Madison, Wisconsin with his wife and twin daughters. He is a practicing Roman Catholic.

For a number of years, Ben suffered from panic attacks and bouts of agoraphobia. On November 30, 2010, he appeared on "Last Call with Carson Daly" to talk about these issues.

When Foster returned to Illinois he got a job at a local movie theater, and formed the band Screeching Weasel with co-worker John Pierson.

After an initial break-up in 1989, Screeching Weasel broke up for a second time in 1994. Following the second breakup, Foster formed a new band, The Riverdales, with Dan Vapid, and Dan Panic.