Ween Push Th’ Little Daisies

Ween has broken up. Lead vocalist/guitarist Aaron Freeman announced the news in an interview, explaining that he was saying goodbye to his alter ego Gene Ween. His partner in weirdness, Dean Ween, says he wasn’t in on the decision.

Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo (aka Dean Ween) met in eighth grade and formed the psychedelic, experimental rock band in 1984. After self-releasing several cassettes, Ween put out its first official album, GodWeenSatan: The Oneness, on Twin/Tone Records in 1990. The group has a big cult following but also received some mainstream attention with its third studio album, 1992’s Pure Guava on Elektra Records. Marking Ween’s first release on a major label, the album included its biggest single, “Push the’ Little Daisies.”

Photo: Chris McKay / WireImage.com
40 Watt Club, Athens, Ga.

Earlier this month Freeman released his solo debut album, Marvelous Clouds, and says he plans to concentrate on his solo career.

“It’s time to move on,” Freeman told Rolling Stone in an interview posted online May 29. “I’m retiring Gene Ween.”

When asked if his statement meant Ween was over, Freeman replied, “Pretty much, yeah. It’s been a long time, 25 years. It was a good run.”

Rolling Stone noted that Freeman has been thinking about calling it quits for the past 8 years and that he and Melchiondo are still on speaking terms.

Freeman added that he wanted to make it clear to fans that his debut album wasn’t a side project.

“I’m forging a new thing for myself. So that’s all. There’s no plans for any records or touring for Ween from my end.”

And what does Dean Ween think about all of this?

“This is news to me, all I can say for now I guess,” Melchiondo wrote on Facebook (via The A.V. Club).

Ween’s last studio album, La Cucaracha, was released in 2007 on Rounder Records.

Click here to read the full Rolling Stone story.

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