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Ween was signed to Twin/Tone Records in 1989 and released their first album GodWeenSatan: The Oneness in the following year. 1991’s The Pod became a fast fan favorite, as the duo’s use of drum machines, pitch-tweaked guitars and vocals, and drug-laced humor became a trademark part of their sound.
The nautically-themed The Mollusk followed in 1997, demonstrating Ween’s satirization, deconstruction, and appreciative mastery of genres, including 1960’s Brit-pop, sea shanties, Broadway show tunes, and especially progressive rock. Fans, critics and the band themselves have since considered the album to be their definite opus.
The band’s desire to pursue alternate forms of media led to the MP3-only release Craters of the Sac (1999), presented by Dean for online download and free trade. Elektra Records released a live compilation entitled Paintin’ The Town Brown: Ween Live 1990-1998 in 1999, followed by White Pepper (2000). The track “Even If You Don’t” was made into a music video.
Shortly after White Pepper, Ween started the internet radiostation WeenRadio, which was awarded 3rd best internet music site by Rolling Stone. Ween also formed their own label at this time, Chocodog Records, which oversaw the release of several self-produced live sets.
In 2004, they released Live in Chicago, a DVD and CD set that compiled tracks from three energetic live performances. In 2005, the label released the first installment of a rarity compilation series entitled Shinola.
In February of 2006, Dean and Gene, along with their band, rented an old farmhouse and converted it into a working studio. After writing over 50 songs and recording rough versions through 2006, they picked through them and, with Andrew Weiss as producer, re-recorded album versions for what would become “The Friends EP” and the full-length La Cucaracha, which was released October 23, 2007 on Rounder Records.
Ween uses Dean Markley NickleSteel
Electric REG.
Dean Ween says:
The first set of strings I ever purchased was a set of Dean Markley
.10s and I’ve never used any other brand or gauge.
Be sure to visit the Ween website at:
www.Ween.com.
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