Dean Ween Clarifies Remarks About Singer Auditions, Says Gene Ween is Irreplaceable

Last week, Dean Ween – the stage name of ex-Ween guitarist, Mickey Melchiondo – took to the Dean Ween Group Facebook page to clarify remarks he made about auditioning singers to take the place of his former bandmate, Aaron Freeman (a.k.a. Gene Ween).

It all started at the end of January when Melchiondo posted, “March 19, 20 and 21st in Charlotte, Atlanta, and Asheville is the Dean Ween Group. Me, Claude, Dave and Glenn will be the DWG for three days playing all Ween tunes. There’s a spot available on the mic, just saying, but since that’s not gonna happen, come see ‘the Ween minus’ for three days. We’ll probably play over 100 tunes over the three day run.”

Apparently, the post spurred a backlash against Freeman, leading Melchiondo to post a follow-up last week:

“I think that a lot of people misinterpreted what I meant when I posted that Ween playing these southern shows was an open invite to audition new singers. There is only one Aaron Freeman, and one Mickey Melchiondo. I don't mind playing a few tunes here and there with a different person on the mic, like Guy, but watching the Chicago DVD makes me realize how much I miss being the guitarist and having Aaron sing. We are brothers in a way that is impossible to explain, maybe even closer. I pray that the day comes when we can work together again---I have a lot of talented friends and songwriting partners but what Aaron and I had was something beyond telepathic. So please don't bash him or think that I'm looking for a replacement, because it's impossible. I'm the only one with the right and qualifications to sing our songs when all is said and done. Ween will live forever. Aaron is doing what he has to do right now, and that's all there is to it.”

Freeman put out the debut, self-titled album with his new band – which shares his last name – last year. Melchiondo and the Dean Ween Group are currently on tour, with dates scheduled through March. Get details here.