Ween's Former Frontman Addresses Band's Split

'My decision to leave Ween .... was absolutely not made in haste,' Aaron Freeman tells Rolling Stone.
By James Montgomery

Aaron Freeman
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Last month, much to the consternation of those who worship at the altar of the Boognish, Ween's Aaron Freeman announced — rather matter-of-factly — that he was ending Ween, telling Rolling Stone "It was a good run."

That was apparently a surprise to Freeman's longtime musical partner, Mickey "Dean Ween" Melchiondo, who wrote on his Facebook page that the breakup "is news to me, all I can say for now I guess."

But now, in a new statement to Rolling Stone, Freeman addressed the split — and Ween's fans — letting it be known that his decision was not a rash one.

"I want to thank each and every one of you all for your kind words and support. It means a lot. My decision to leave Ween, however interpreted, was absolutely not made in haste," Freeman's statement reads. "It's evolved over a decade's worth of internal and external struggle." Freeman didn't elaborate on those struggles, but did add that he has no bad blood with Melchiondo, whom he founded Ween with more than 25 years ago. And he closed by saying that he'll continue to make music ... minus the Gene Ween moniker.

"Know that I am extremely proud of all that is Ween. And while Mickey and I are going our separate ways, I wish him only the best. I will always have nothing but love and respect for what we created together," the statement reads. "I need to now move on for myself and for my family. I still, as always, look forward to a future filled with music as Aaron Freeman."

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