Photograph by Ryan West
Formed in Pennsylvania in 1984 by Gene (Aaron Freeman) and Dean (Mickey Melchiondo), it would take six years for Ween to land a proper record deal with indie label Twin Tone and then release its big debut ‘GodWeenSatan: The Oneness.’ And while Ween played as a duo for its first decade, Gene and Dean would eventually build a full band to complete their twisted vision.
These days, Gene and Dean’s live troupe is rounded out by longtime band members Claude Coleman Jr. on drums, Dave Dreiwitz on bass and Glenn McClelland keyboards.
Perhaps the greatest lure of this largely comedic musical act involves its fans’ inability to describe the music in a single genre. One listen to the band’s varied and confusing catalog finds them dabbling in country, soul, heavy metal, R&B, prog, country, gospel, prog and more.
Ween has been anything but prolific lately – their last record, ‘La Cucaracha,’ was released 16 years ago – but the band has managed to put out 9 full-lengths, as well as a handful of self-produced and released cassettes, 8 extended plays and a number of live and compilation records.
Thirty-one years after signing to the major label Elektra, Ween would ultimately release five astounding albums that were mainly supported by college airplay, word-of-mouth and touring. Now recognized as a cult experience, this collection of records alone is still revered and played regularly by indie blogs and online stations.
The Hard Rock Live’s upcoming special ‘Evening with Ween” starts at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $46 to $61.50 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com. This is an all-age show The Hard Rock Live is located in Wheatland at 3317 Forty Mile Road.
(SN&R)