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Gene Ween

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Aaron Freeman
Ween performing in 2007
Ween performing in 2007
Background information
GenresAlternative rock, experimental rock, neo-psychedelia, hard rock, lo-fi
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1984–present
Websitegeneween.com

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.[1]

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.[2]

In November 2015, Ween announced a February 2016 reunion for three shows in Colorado, with later dates subsequently announced.[3]

Career

Main article: Ween

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,[4] 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.[5]

On November 16, 2015, Ween announced that they would reunite for three concerts at the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colorado in February 2016.[6] Ween has continued to play and tour since.

Personal life

Aaron Freeman lives with his wife, Leah Ben-Ari, in Seattle, WA.

Freeman has talked about drug use,[7] 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).[8]

Selected discography

With Ween
With Z-Rock Hawaii
With Freeman
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

  1. ^ https://www.avclub.com/aaron-freeman-of-ween-talks-about-getting-older-gettin-1798231082. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ "Aaron Freeman Talks Billy Joel Tribute – Using Gene Ween Name". February 20, 2015.
  3. ^ Ween Tour Dates, Ween.com, retrieved December 9, 2015
  4. ^ "Aaron Freeman Closes the Book on Ween". rollingstone.com. May 29, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  5. ^ Freeman, Aaron. "Gene Ween Does Billy Joel". FREEMAN the band. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  6. ^ "WEEN". Ween.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  7. ^ Keller, Jason. "Q&A: Gene Ween of Ween | NOW Magazine". Nowtoronto.com. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  8. ^ "WTF with Marc Maron Podcast". www.wtfpod.com. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
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