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Aaron Freeman (a.k.a. Gene Ween) Unveils Pop Adorned ‘Freeman’ LP

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Ween founder — formerly known as Gene Ween — has returned to his birth name, Aaron Freeman, and is taking on a fresh, sober perspective with his self-titled debut. The opening track “Covert Discretion” addresses Freeman’s drug and alcohol-induced public meltdown that eventually led to the breakup of the beloved ’90s avant-prog-rock heroes. He reveals: “I’ll be blacked out for the night / In the morning I can’t remember a thing / I’m on the bus now / They won’t look at me.” Since Freeman has gone to rehab, gotten clean, and now lives in Woodstock, NY, where he teaches kids guitar at the Academy of Rock.

In some ways Freeman is a continuation of Ween, but with additional mainstream appeal. (Think Paul McCartney post-Beatles.) The album delivers artful songcraft with subtly offbeat hooks; it’s lush contemporary pop for fans of classic rock. While the 14 track full length contains charming phrases for the masses, die hard Ween fans can still enjoy quirky experimentalism via “El Shaddai” or the mind-warping psychadelia of “Golden Monkey.” Listen to Freeman’s entire post-Ween brainchild below along with upcoming tour dates.

Tour Dates:

July 22 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
July 23 – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All RIght
September 4-7 – Arrington, VA @ Lockn’ Festival
September 5 – Raleigh, NC @ Hopscotch Festival
September 17 – Boston, MA @ Sinclair
September 18 – Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
September 19 – Rochester, NY @ Lovin’ Cup
September 20 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
September 24 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
September 25 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
September 26 – Minneapolis. MN @ Turf Club
September 27 – Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room
September 30 – Columbus, OH @ The Basement
October 1 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Brillbox
October 2 – Washington, DC @ Rock N Roll Hotel
October 3 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
October 4 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
October 23 – Houston, TX @ Fitzgeralds
October 24 – Dallas, TX @ The Loft
October 25 – Austin, TX @ Parish
October 28 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah
October 30 – Los Angeles, CA @ Roxy
October 31 – San Francisco, CA @ Independent
November 1 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
November 2 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor
November 4 – Missoula, MT @ Top Hat
November 5 – Salt Lake City, UT @ State Room
November 6 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird
November 7 – Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room