The alternative rock band from New Hope, PA, Ween will be performing at The Met on Friday, December 9th and Saturday, December 10th.
Although they’re classified as alternative rock, their sound reaches into various genres from psychedelia and metal to R&B and country. The band’s lyrics are known for their drug-infused humor mixing with surrealist ecstasy and mythologies. The duo claims to be sprouted from the demon-god Boognish which is pictured as the band’s logo.
Ween was founded in 1984 by Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo, aka Gene Ween and Dean Ween, when the two boys met in middle school typing class. The duo started their music career recording and self-releasing cassettes to friends and local fans. In 1990, the group released their debut album GodWeenSatan: The Oneness after being picked up by independent label Twin/Tone Records. In 1992, they signed to their first major label company Elektra. By the mid ’90s, Ween gained a cult following by warming up for the Foo Fighters. Ween formed their own Chocodog Records, overseeing the release of their self-produced live sets. They released their sixth studio album, The Mollusk in 1997, which they described as their dark acid rock record, featuring sea shanties and Broadway showtunes.
Many of the songs followed the theme of sea creatures inspiring animator, Stephen Hillenburg to create Spongebob. Their single “Ocean Man” later appeared on the Spongebob SquarePants Movie soundtrack. There are multiple references in early SpongeBob episodes that quote Ween’s lyrics. Ween’s music has also had an influence on people like Kurt Vile and Eric Andre.
After Ween’s last studio album La Cucaracha was released in 2007, Freeman and Melchiondo felt the band was done and announced their split in May of 2012. They reunited in 2016 for live performances. This year, Ween played the South Park 25th Anniversary Concert with Primus and the creators of the show Matt Stone and Trey Parker.
See Ween play at The Met Philadelphia on Friday, December 9th and Saturday, December 10th. Get tickets at https://ween.com/tour.
Location: The Met Philadelphia
Address: 858 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Show time: 8pm
Doors Open: 7pm
Ticket Price: $50+
Age: All ages
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