My first Ween show this Halloween was an epic, ear-splitting extravaganza which went on for 3 hours and 15 minutes. In that time the band played 36 songs from all of their records, they dressed as rabbits, they played 'Let's Dance' by Bowie and there were huge instrumental breaks. It was fantastic, slightly maddening at times, incredibly loud and overwhelming.
Ween as anyone who knows them will attest, are a one-off. Funny, subversive and seriously weird. Their music hops around genres, defying easy categorisation. They have built up a loyal following over the last 20 years which enables them to pack out venues like this one with close to 5000 screaming, drunk and stoned fans all dressed up for Halloween and raring to go.
Opening with the instrumental 'Fiesta' the stage resembled a sort of carnival as the band came on stage as rabbits. Next was 'Don't Get 2 Close (2 My Fantasy)' with the crowd singing along to every word. Gradually parts of the costumes started to come off the five members (credit must go to guitarist Dean Ween, who kept his on the whole evening minus the head, I'm surprised he didn't pass out). After that it was pretty much a greatest hits set for Ween fans although many of these songs have evolved live and were much, much longer than their studio counterparts. 'Transdermal Celebration' was the ultimate classic rock song with Dean throwing back his head whilst playing the solo, 'Take Me Away' had the crowd going completely crazy and whilst everyone was singing to 'Spinal Meningitis (Got Me Down)' it got me thinking, how on earth did this song (disturbing to say the least) turn into a joyous singalong? How have this band reached the point where thousands of fans know all the words to their songs? The answer to that, is that behind the apparent pastiche in some songs and the goofiness and humour, the music is just really, really good. They know what they are doing and how to craft a good song. However, some of these songs almost lost me in places as they veered off into massive guitar solos that went on for ten minutes, I'm certainly not averse to instrumental breaks but it did seem at a couple of points during the show that they had turned into a jam-band which I thought was slightly ironic, since Ween have always expressed distaste for that particular type of music. There was no denying though, that this was their night, with no support the band were clearly in the mood to keep playing until the plug was pulled and they certainly went for it.
Highlights included a rocking version of 'Gabrielle', the cover of 'Let's Dance' which almost tore the roof off the venue, and a surprisingly moving version of 'Sarah' with just Gene and Dean playing their guitars.
I have to mention just how good the band are. The founding duo, Dean and Gene Ween (aka Aaron Freeman and Micky Melchiondo) were joined by their longstanding fellow bandmembers Claude Coleman Jr on drums, Dave Dreiwitz (bass) and Glenn McClelland on keyboards, all of whom are outstanding musicians and the ease with which they play together is evident. Dean Ween even stepped behind the drum kit for a beautiful rendition of 'The Mollusk' towards the end of the show.
The encore was another show in itself, kicking off with one of their uniquely disturbing pop songs 'Mister, Would You Please Help My Pony' , followed by crowd favourite 'Freedom of '76' and then the rocking 'Stroker Ace', the band played out with a 20 minute version of their Prince-like 'L.M.L.Y.P'. By the end of the song there was about 30 women up on stage dancing. It was a fittingly bizarre end to the longest concert I've ever witnessed and celebration of all things Ween.
Setlist.
1. Fiesta
2. Don't Get 2 Close (2 My Fantasy)
3. Touch My Tooter
4. Transdermal Celebration
5. Hey There Fancy Pants
6. Take Me Away
7. Spinal Meningitis (Got Me Down)
8. Learnin' To Love
9. Don't Sweat It
10. Voodoo Lady
11. Your Party
12. My Own Bare Hands
13. Happy Colored Marbles
14. Up On the Hill
15. Gabrielle
16. Piss Up a Rope
17. Reggaejunkiejew
18. Let's Dance (David Bowie cover)
19. Buckingham Green
20. Ice Castles
21. Final Alarm
22. Back to Basom
23, Sarah
24. She Fucks Me
25. Bananas and Blow
26. Booze Me Up and Get Me High
27. Push Th' Little Daisies
28. Roses Are Free
29. Piano "Interlude" -- Glenn McClelland
30. The Mollusk
31. Doctor Rock
32. Blarney Stone
Encore:
33. Mister, Would You Please Help My Pony?
34. Freedom of '76
35. Stroker Ace
36. Pusher Man Intro/LMLYP
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