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'''Aaron Freeman'''<!-- Valid citation required for date of birth for BLP. (WP:BLPPRIVACY) -->, better known by his stage name '''Gene Ween''', is an American singer, guitarist and a founding member of the [[experimental music|experimental]] [[alternative rock]] group [[Ween]]. Freeman, along with childhood friend [[Dean Ween]] (Mickey Melchiondo), started the group in the mid-1980s. |
'''Aaron Freeman'''<!-- Valid citation required for date of birth for BLP. (WP:BLPPRIVACY) -->, better known by his stage name '''Gene Ween''', is an American singer, guitarist and a founding member of the [[experimental music|experimental]] [[alternative rock]] group [[Ween]]. Freeman, along with childhood friend [[Dean Ween]] (Mickey Melchiondo), started the group in the mid-1980s. |
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Freeman announced his departure from Ween in 2012, along with his early sobriety. |
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Freeman announced his departure from Ween in 2012, shortly after releasing ''Marvelous Clouds'', his first solo album. After leaving Ween, he stopped using the name Gene Ween and performed under his birth name Aaron Freeman. In 2014 he formed a new five-piece band called [[Freeman (band)|Freeman]]. |
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In 2015, Freeman returned to using the Gene Ween name for his "Gene Ween Does [[Billy Joel]]" concerts, saying it was a positive thing:{{Blockquote|At the end of the day, people know Gene Ween. It's not anything I should be ashamed of...I was really having an identity crisis and that happens – just what you said – so it's important to separate those things. You get lost in who you are. As I grow and get more confident in who I am and my sobriety it's like, 'Oh yeah, Gene Ween.' It's a positive thing and it represents the work I did since I was 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jambase.com/Articles/124108/Aaron-Freeman-Talks-Billy-Joel-Tribute-Using-Gene-Ween-Name|title=Aaron Freeman Talks Billy Joel Tribute – Using Gene Ween Name|date=20 February 2015}}</ref>}} |
In 2015, Freeman returned to using the Gene Ween name for his "Gene Ween Does [[Billy Joel]]" concerts, saying it was a positive thing:{{Blockquote|At the end of the day, people know Gene Ween. It's not anything I should be ashamed of...I was really having an identity crisis and that happens – just what you said – so it's important to separate those things. You get lost in who you are. As I grow and get more confident in who I am and my sobriety it's like, 'Oh yeah, Gene Ween.' It's a positive thing and it represents the work I did since I was 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jambase.com/Articles/124108/Aaron-Freeman-Talks-Billy-Joel-Tribute-Using-Gene-Ween-Name|title=Aaron Freeman Talks Billy Joel Tribute – Using Gene Ween Name|date=20 February 2015}}</ref>}} |
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In May 2012, Freeman suddenly announced his departure from Ween,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/aaron-freeman-closes-the-book-on-ween-20120529 |title=Aaron Freeman Closes the Book on Ween |publisher=rollingstone.com |date=May 29, 2012 |access-date=June 1, 2012}}</ref> as an attempt to rehabilitate himself after years of drug and alcohol abuse, which peaked during Ween's 2011 tour. |
In May 2012, Freeman suddenly announced his departure from Ween,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/aaron-freeman-closes-the-book-on-ween-20120529 |title=Aaron Freeman Closes the Book on Ween |publisher=rollingstone.com |date=May 29, 2012 |access-date=June 1, 2012}}</ref> as an attempt to rehabilitate himself after years of drug and alcohol abuse, which peaked during Ween's 2011 tour. |
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Even before his departure from Ween, Freeman had maintained a solo career. He has performed solo concerts with artists such as [[Jon Anderson]] of [[Yes (band)|Yes]]. Around 2008, Freeman launched the Gene Ween Band,<ref name="prefix">{{cite web|url=http://www.prefixmag.com/news/gene-ween-is-ok/24165/ |title=Gene Ween is OK | Prefix |publisher=Prefixmag.com |date=December 26, 2008 |access-date=July 22, 2014}}</ref> where he plays alongside Ween bassist [[Dave Dreiwitz]], and with guitarist [[Scott Metzger]] and drummer [[Joe Russo (musician)|Joe Russo]]. In 2012, he released ''Marvelous Clouds'', his first solo album under the name Aaron Freeman. The album consisted entirely of cover versions of [[Rod McKuen]] songs.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/05/listening-booth-geen-weens-solo-debut.html |title=Listening Booth: Gene Ween's Solo Début |magazine=The New Yorker |date=May 1, 2012 |access-date=July 22, 2014}}</ref> |
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In 2014, Freeman formed a new full band called Freeman and released an eponymous album of original material with them in August of that year. He continues to tour with Freeman, as well as perform acoustic shows accompanied by Freeman bassist Joe Young. |
In 2014, Freeman formed a new full band called Freeman and released an eponymous album of original material with them in August of that year. He continues to tour with Freeman, as well as perform acoustic shows accompanied by Freeman bassist Joe Young. |
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In 2015, Freeman announced he would be fronting a [[Billy Joel]] tribute band that would feature, among others [[Paul Green (musician)|Paul Green]] and [[They Might Be Giants|Dan Hickey]]. Two shows under the banner "Gene Ween Does Billy Joel" are scheduled for Woodstock and Brooklyn.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Freeman|first1=Aaron|title=Gene Ween Does Billy Joel|url=http://freemantheband.com/post/111406412328/gene-ween-does-billy-joel|website=FREEMAN the band|access-date=March 3, 2015}}</ref> |
In 2015, Freeman announced he would be fronting a [[Billy Joel]] tribute band that would feature, among others [[Paul Green (musician)|Paul Green]] and [[They Might Be Giants|Dan Hickey]]. Two shows under the banner "Gene Ween Does Billy Joel" are scheduled for Woodstock and Brooklyn.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Freeman|first1=Aaron|title=Gene Ween Does Billy Joel|url=http://freemantheband.com/post/111406412328/gene-ween-does-billy-joel|website=FREEMAN the band|access-date=March 3, 2015}}</ref> |
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On May 22, 2015, Freeman joined [[Umphrey's McGee]] onstage at the Summer Camp Music Festival under the name 'Godboner' for a set of Ween covers. Freeman was billed as 'Gene Ween' for this appearance. |
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On November 16, 2015, Ween announced that they would reunite for three concerts at the [[1stBank Center]] in [[Broomfield, Colorado]] in February 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=WEEN|url=http://ween.com/index.php|website=Ween.com|access-date=November 17, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117123340/http://ween.com/index.php|archive-date=November 17, 2015}}</ref> Ween has continued to play and tour since. |
On November 16, 2015, Ween announced that they would reunite for three concerts at the [[1stBank Center]] in [[Broomfield, Colorado]] in February 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=WEEN|url=http://ween.com/index.php|website=Ween.com|access-date=November 17, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117123340/http://ween.com/index.php|archive-date=November 17, 2015}}</ref> Ween has continued to play and tour since. |
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== Personal life == |
== Personal life == |
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Aaron Freeman currently with his wife, Leah Ben-Ari, in Seattle. |
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Aaron Freeman lives with his wife Leah Ben-Ari and their son. Freeman has another child from a previous relationship, Ashton Freeman, born in 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01iAbkFkQ0E |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/01iAbkFkQ0E| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|website=[[YouTube]] |title="Polka Dot Tail" Gene Ween & Dave Dreiwitz [Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn, NY] 12/03/2011 }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Freeman |first1=Ashton |title=Ashton Freeman at John & Peter's 5/29/22 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfzDOTgPz58 |website=YouTube |publisher=Ashton Freeman |access-date=7 December 2022}}</ref> |
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Freeman has talked about drug use,<ref name="now">{{cite web|last=Keller |first=Jason |url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=170833 |title=Q&A: Gene Ween of Ween | NOW Magazine |publisher=Nowtoronto.com |access-date=July 22, 2014}}</ref> but does not often divulge specifics. He spoke openly and in detail about his personal life, drug use, and time spent in Ween on the ''WTF with Marc Maron'' podcast (episode 309).<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episodes/episode_309_-_todd_snider_aaron_freeman|title = WTF with Marc Maron Podcast|website = www.wtfpod.com|access-date = March 4, 2016}}</ref> |
Freeman has talked about drug use,<ref name="now">{{cite web|last=Keller |first=Jason |url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=170833 |title=Q&A: Gene Ween of Ween | NOW Magazine |publisher=Nowtoronto.com |access-date=July 22, 2014}}</ref> but does not often divulge specifics. He spoke openly and in detail about his personal life, drug use, and time spent in Ween on the ''WTF with Marc Maron'' podcast (episode 309).<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episodes/episode_309_-_todd_snider_aaron_freeman|title = WTF with Marc Maron Podcast|website = www.wtfpod.com|access-date = March 4, 2016}}</ref> |
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Freeman lived and recorded at his home in [[Lambertville, New Jersey]]<ref>Sahner, Charlie. [http://www.buckslocalnews.com/articles/2011/12/06/new_hope_gazette/news/doc4edef8a17b0c0057471806.txt "Gene Ween rings in Christmas at New Hope's God Save the Qweens"], ''new Hope Gazette'', December 6, 2011. Accessed February 9, 2023. "We spent some time this week with co-founder and lead vocalist Gene Ween (a.k.a. Aaron Freeman) of alternative rock band Ween at their New Hope headquarters, God Save the Qweens, 13 W. Mechanic St.... The Gener works from his Lambertville studio/home, and will be playing with Wheezer in January and releasing a new recording with Ben Vaughn in March."</ref><ref>Rose, Lisa. [https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2010/09/from_cween_singer-guitarist_talks_about_the_offbeat_alt-rock_bands_evolution.html "From the vault: Ween singer-guitarist talks about the offbeat alt-rock band's evolution"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], September 12, 2010. Accessed February 9, 2023. "We spoke with Freeman, a Lambertville resident and father of two, via phone last week."</ref> until moving to [[Woodstock, New York]] in 2012<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blurredvisionary.wordpress.com/2014/12/04/aaron-freeman-life-after-ween/ | title=Aaron Freeman: Life After Ween | date=December 4, 2014 }}</ref> and then [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]] in 2020. |
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== Selected discography == |
== Selected discography == |
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Revision as of 20:02, 24 April 2023
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|
Aaron Freeman | |
|---|---|
 Ween performing in 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Genres | Alternative rock, experimental rock, neo-psychedelia, hard rock, lo-fi |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Website | geneween |
Aaron Freeman, better known by his stage name Gene Ween, is an American singer, guitarist and a founding member of the experimental alternative rock group Ween. Freeman, along with childhood friend Dean Ween (Mickey Melchiondo), started the group in the mid-1980s.
Freeman announced his departure from Ween in 2012, along with his early sobriety.
In 2015, Freeman returned to using the Gene Ween name for his "Gene Ween Does Billy Joel" concerts, saying it was a positive thing:
At the end of the day, people know Gene Ween. It's not anything I should be ashamed of...I was really having an identity crisis and that happens – just what you said – so it's important to separate those things. You get lost in who you are. As I grow and get more confident in who I am and my sobriety it's like, 'Oh yeah, Gene Ween.' It's a positive thing and it represents the work I did since I was 16.[1]
In November 2015, Ween announced a February 2016 reunion for three shows in Colorado, with later dates subsequently announced.[2]
Career
Freeman and Melchiondo met in an eighth grade typing class in 1984, in New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where they both grew up. Both of them talked about bands they liked and playing their own music. Soon, they hung out and began jamming, recording most of what they put together. Ween's music slowly progressed from a bedroom-style recording project, eventually signing to a major record label and transforming into a full live band.
In May 2012, Freeman suddenly announced his departure from Ween,[3] as an attempt to rehabilitate himself after years of drug and alcohol abuse, which peaked during Ween's 2011 tour.
In 2014, Freeman formed a new full band called Freeman and released an eponymous album of original material with them in August of that year. He continues to tour with Freeman, as well as perform acoustic shows accompanied by Freeman bassist Joe Young.
In 2015, Freeman announced he would be fronting a Billy Joel tribute band that would feature, among others Paul Green and Dan Hickey. Two shows under the banner "Gene Ween Does Billy Joel" are scheduled for Woodstock and Brooklyn.[4]
On November 16, 2015, Ween announced that they would reunite for three concerts at the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colorado in February 2016.[5] Ween has continued to play and tour since.
Personal life
Aaron Freeman currently with his wife, Leah Ben-Ari, in Seattle.
Freeman has talked about drug use,[6] but does not often divulge specifics. He spoke openly and in detail about his personal life, drug use, and time spent in Ween on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast (episode 309).[7]
Selected discography
- With Ween
- GodWeenSatan: The Oneness (1990)
- The Pod (1991)
- Pure Guava (1992)
- Chocolate and Cheese (1994)
- 12 Golden Country Greats (1996)
- The Mollusk (1997)
- White Pepper (2000)
- Quebec (2003)
- Shinola, Vol. 1 (2005)
- La Cucaracha (2007)
- With Z-Rock Hawaii
- Z-Rock Hawaii (1997)
- With Freeman
- Freeman (2014)
- Solo work
- Synthetic Socks (1987)
- Marvelous Clouds (2012) (released as Aaron Freeman)
- Gener's Gone: The Final Demo Recordings of Gene Ween (2013) (released as Aaron Freeman)
References
- ^ "Aaron Freeman Talks Billy Joel Tribute – Using Gene Ween Name". February 20, 2015.
- ^ Ween Tour Dates, Ween.com, retrieved December 9, 2015
- ^ "Aaron Freeman Closes the Book on Ween". rollingstone.com. May 29, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
- ^ Freeman, Aaron. "Gene Ween Does Billy Joel". FREEMAN the band. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
- ^ "WEEN". Ween.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ Keller, Jason. "Q&A: Gene Ween of Ween | NOW Magazine". Nowtoronto.com. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
- ^ "WTF with Marc Maron Podcast". www.wtfpod.com. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
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