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[[Image:ween_van.jpg|thumb|Ween circa 1991]]'''Ween''' is an [[Alternative rock|alternative music]] [[duo]] formed in 1984 in [[New Hope, Pennsylvania]] when Mickey Melchiondo and Aaron Freeman met in a high school typing class. They christened themselves with the pseudonyms [[Dean Ween]] and [[Gene Ween]] respectively, drawing on such [[punk_rock|punk]] surname collectives as the [[Ramones]]. Supposedly the two were visited by a God/Demon named Boognish, that directed them to start a rock band.
[[Image:Dean_gene42.jpg|thumb|]]Their earliest home recordings were [[anarchy|anarchic]] and free-spirited, drawing on influences as far-reaching as [[the Beatles]], [[Prince_(artist)|Prince]], [[Butthole Surfers]], [[The Residents]] and the lo-fi punk movement. Signed to [[Twin/Tone Records]] in [[1989]], they released "God Ween Satan: The Oneness", a 26-track [[smorgasbord]] of genre jumping and wild, silly eclecticism. Ween, often compared in their early years to other offbeat artists such as [[Frank Zappa]] and [[They Might Be Giants]], would always eschew such comparisons.
[[1991]]'s "[[The Pod]]" became a fast fan favorite, as the duo's use of [[drum machine]]s, pitch-tweaked guitars & vocals and drug-laced humor became a trademark part of their sound. "Pure Guava", the first of a series of releases on [[Elektra_Records|the Elektra label]], featured their highest charting single, "Push Th' Little Daisies" ([[1992]]) which gained them media & [[MTV]] attention, as the video was a highlighted target on [[MTV]]'s [[Beavis & Butthead]]. "Chocolate & Cheese" followed in [[1994]], heralding [[1970s|70s]] pop/rock & soul sendups such as "Freedom of '76" and "Voodoo Lady". The "Freedom of '76" music video was directed by [[Spike Jonze]]. Beginning at this time, Ween expanded its live and studio line-up, providing both a crisper production sound in the studio and an easier live setup (up until this time, Ween had been using [[Drum_machine|drum machines]] & tape playback to provide backings for their songs.)
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Ween turned to [[Nashville, Tennessee]] [[studio musician]]s for the recording of the authentically-spirited "12 Golden Country Greats" (1996) which only contained ten tracks (the "12 Greats" in the title pays affectionate tribute to the dozen veteran musicians who played on the album). In 1997 the nautically-themed "The Mollusk" followed, featuring Ween's simultaneous satirization, deconstruction, and appreciative mastery of genres including [[1960]]'s Brit-pop, [[Sea shanty|sea shanties]], [[Broadway]] [[show tunes]], and most especially, [[progressive rock]]. Their 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" in 1999, followed by "White Pepper" ([[2000]]), their [[pop music|pop]]-themed album and final studio set for Elektra. The track "Even If You Don't" was made into a music video directed by [[Trey Parker]] and [[Matt Stone]]. Shortly after "White Pepper" Ween started the internet radiostation WeenRadio, which was awarded 3rd best internet music site by [[Rolling Stone]].
[[Image:Dean_gene09.jpg]]Ween also formed their own label at this time, [[Chocodog Records]], which oversaw the release of several self-produced live sets. Short in pressing, they became instant collector's items. In [[2005]], the label released a rarity compilation series entitled "Shinola" and also plans to re-release the Gene's [[1987]] cassette tape, "Synthetic Socks".
[[Image:other1.jpg|thumb|Ween on tour]]The two signed to [[Sanctuary Records]] in [[2003]] and released "quebec", their first studio set in 3 years. In [[2004]], Ween released "Live in Chicago," a DVD and CD set that chronicled one of the energetic live performances for which the group is known.
[[Image:moistboyz.jpg|thumb|The Moistboyz]]Various outside collaborations have also ensued over the years. Dean is a member of the heavy metal side project [[Moistboyz]], and the [[noise rock]] group [[Z-Rock Hawaii]] is made up of members of Ween and [[Boredoms]]. Ween has composed pieces for The [[X-Files]] Soundtrack, [[Schoolhouse Rock]] Rocks!, [[Beautiful Girls]] Soundtrack, [[Road Trip]] Soundtrack, [[Chef Aid]], [[SpongeBob SquarePants]], and the [[Grounded for Life]] TV theme. They have also worked with [[Rob Vaughn]] and [[Queens of the Stone Age]]. They also guest starred as puppets on the Comedy Central show [[Crank Yankers]] where they gave audiences a preview of their song "Fancypants".
Dean Ween has been a significant contributer to [[Queens of the Stone Age]] and his friend, [[Joshua Homme]]'s (of QOTSA) side project [[Desert Sessions]]. On QOTSA's most critically acclaimed album "Songs for the Deaf", Dean Ween played guitar on Mosquito Song, Do It Again, and Six Shooter.
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* [http://www.ween.org/ Ween.org]
* [http://www.weenradio.com/ Weenradio.com]
* [http://p086.ezboard.com/bweendotnetforum16662 Ween Forum]
* [http://www.weenftp.org/ Ween Audio/Video]
* [http://www.browntracker.net/ Browntracker]
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