Why Ween Is The Band We Need Today

If there has been one band that has gotten me through the most hardships in the past year, it’s Ween. Whether it was getting over an emotional break-up, studying for finals, or just getting through an rough patch, Ween has been the biggest help in the music world. I started listening to Ween because of a friend’s suggestion last June, and since then they have become my favorite band without much contest.

I truly believe that Ween’s effect on other people would be greatly impactful due to their obscene variety. This was my main draw into Ween, and to this day the primary reason why they are my favorite band. You like party music? Listen to La Cucaracha. You a country fan? Pop in 12 Golden Country Greats. Reggae? Play “Bananas and Blow” off of White Pepper. The list goes on and on, but let me just continue with my piece.

Ween is the brainchild of Mickey Melchiondo and Aaron Freeman, also known as Dean Ween and Gene Ween respectively. After meeting in middle school typing class, they surprisingly became friends. This friendship was a surprise due to Mickey’s jock status in school and Aaron’s loner way of living. Since their formation, Ween has put out nine studio albums with their mascot, the Boognish, standing as the band’s iconic logo. In Ween lore, the Boognish is a demon-god that formed the band. The Boognish is used prominently on the covers for their 1990 album “God Ween Satan” and their 1994 album “Chocolate and Cheese.”

It is not hard to surmise from that last paragraph that Ween is a really fuckin’ weird band, but that might be what we all need right now. With the world bending everyone over a barrel right now, we need some goofiness and unabashed weirdness in our lives. Songs like “I’m Dancing in the Show Tonight,” “L.M.L.Y.P,” “My Own Bare Hands,” and “Mr. Richard Smoker” have contributed to making Ween one of the most purely unique rock bands of the past 50 years. They have even found success with the younger generation through SpongeBob SquarePants with the songs “Ocean Man” and “Loop De Loop” being used ingeniously within the feature film adaptation and the television series respectively.

Maybe I’m just too much of a fanboy for the band, but at the moment I really do believe that Ween is the new band discovery that can get everyone through this shitty and dreary time we’re living in. Maybe even by the time you reach the end of Quebec, you’ll find yourself tearing up at these two talented goofballs.

Matt’s Five Standout Tracks: “Birthday Boy,” “Even If You Don’t,” “The Blarney Stone,” “Transdermal Celebration,” and “If You Could Save Yourself (You’d Save Us All).”