Ween Biography

The alternative rock band known as Ween was established in Pennsylvania in the early 1980’s. Founded by childhood friends Mickey Melchionado and Aaron Freeman (who professionally go by the moniker’s Dean Ween and Gene Ween), the two musicians began playing together while still in high school. Today known for their highly unusual and eclectic blend of everything from country to soul and punk to metal, Ween initially spent nearly a full decade self-marketing their unique brand of music before garnering their first recording contract.

Ween, operating as a duo, self-released much of their music in cassette format throughout the 1980’s, recording using a DAT machine and bringing musicians Sim Cain and Andrew Weiss into the group for live performances. By the late 80’s, they’d established a strong following in the northeast, performing often throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, opening for acts such as Henry Rollins, They Might Be Giants, and Butthole Surfers.

Eventually, their talents caught the eye of an A&R representative for Twin/Tone; after signing with the label, Ween released their debut album, GodWeenSatan: The Oneness, in 1990. The album featured a staggering twenty-six songs from their first six years together, including “Bumblebee,” “Nan,” “Fat Lenny,” “L.M.L.Y.P.” and “You Fucked Up.” GodWeenSatan: The Oneness was followed by The Pod, and then in 1992 Ween left Twin/Tone to sign with Elektra Records.

Under Elektra Records, Ween released their major label debut, Pure Guava, in 1992, and the album truly put the band on the map. On the strength of the hit single “Push th’ Little Daisies,” the album finally made the group an international hit and gave them the means to expand their lineup and improve their production quality.

Following Pure Guava, Ween released the additional albums: Chocolate and Cheese (1994), 12 Golden Country Greats (1996), The Mollusk (1997), White Pepper (2000), Quebec (2003), and La Cucaracha (2007.) Other notable charting singles include: “Voodoo Lady,” “Ocean Man,” “Even If You Don’t,” “Stay Forever,” and “Your Party.”

Today, Ween continues to perform and record with the current lineup of: Dean Ween, Gene Ween, Dave Dreitwitz, Claude Coleman, Jr., and Glenn McClelland. Although Ween embarked on a significant hiatus following La Cucaracha, the group resurfaced in 2010 with the single “DC Won’t Do You No Good,” and reconvened for their first tour in a number of years.