The second night of the South Park 25th anniversary shows at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado Wednesday night provided plenty of surprises — even, in some cases, for the key figures on stage, not all of whom had been prepped ahead of time about a crowd-rousing musical cameo from two members of Rush.
With an unprecedented number of Kyle, Cartman, Stan and Kenny costumes sprinkled throughout the sold-out crowd, the concert got underway with the co-creators of the Comedy Central animated series (and proud Colorado natives), Trey Parker and Matt Stone, performed a rendition of “Uncle Fucka” that magically brought tears to some of those watching. Despite the expectedly crass lyrics, the song felt more like a ballad, with Parker at the grand piano singing his heart out and Stone on the mic shouting the word “fucka” with the passion of Pavarotti.
Parker explained they’d play some...
With an unprecedented number of Kyle, Cartman, Stan and Kenny costumes sprinkled throughout the sold-out crowd, the concert got underway with the co-creators of the Comedy Central animated series (and proud Colorado natives), Trey Parker and Matt Stone, performed a rendition of “Uncle Fucka” that magically brought tears to some of those watching. Despite the expectedly crass lyrics, the song felt more like a ballad, with Parker at the grand piano singing his heart out and Stone on the mic shouting the word “fucka” with the passion of Pavarotti.
Parker explained they’d play some...
- 8/11/2022
- by Kyle Eustice
- Variety Film + TV
“I was in trouble,” singer-rapper Elbee Thrie says, recalling the day that his band — the Brooklyn progressive-r&B quintet Phony Ppl — was born in 2008. It was Thrie’s 16th birthday, and he was grounded, stuck at home. So Thrie invited over some teenage friends from his Crown Heights neighborhood — all musicians.
“I knew something was gonna be good about that day,” insists the singer, whose real name is Robert Booker. “I called my friends to come over, and we started playing. It wasn’t even a matter of ‘Oh, what are we going to do?...
“I knew something was gonna be good about that day,” insists the singer, whose real name is Robert Booker. “I called my friends to come over, and we started playing. It wasn’t even a matter of ‘Oh, what are we going to do?...
- 10/18/2018
- by David Fricke
- Rollingstone.com
While everyone was buzzing about big releases from Frank Ocean, Fiona Apple, Mumford & Sons and Taylor Swift, you might have missed some must-listens. Here's what you should know about, and why:
___
Grizzly Bear, "Shields" (Warp)
Yes, iTunes named Grizzly Bear's "Shields" the best album of 2012. Yes, the critics adored it. And yes, it debuted in the Top 10.
But did it earn any Grammy nominations? No. Is it selling well? No. Have you heard it? Probably not.
And that needs to change.
"Shields" is a semimasterpiece that feels both old and new – and in the best ways possible. Anchored by the voices of Edward Droste and Daniel Rossen, this Brooklyn, N.Y.-based foursome has created a disc that is genre-defying and consistent throughout.
The 10 tracks that make up "Shields" are drum-filled and smoky, and half the songs are more than five minutes long. That's a bit unusual, but it's...
___
Grizzly Bear, "Shields" (Warp)
Yes, iTunes named Grizzly Bear's "Shields" the best album of 2012. Yes, the critics adored it. And yes, it debuted in the Top 10.
But did it earn any Grammy nominations? No. Is it selling well? No. Have you heard it? Probably not.
And that needs to change.
"Shields" is a semimasterpiece that feels both old and new – and in the best ways possible. Anchored by the voices of Edward Droste and Daniel Rossen, this Brooklyn, N.Y.-based foursome has created a disc that is genre-defying and consistent throughout.
The 10 tracks that make up "Shields" are drum-filled and smoky, and half the songs are more than five minutes long. That's a bit unusual, but it's...
- 1/3/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Dean Ween (a.k.a. Mickey Melchiondo) and former Ween-mate Gene Ween (a.k.a. Aaron Freeman) didn't end things on the best of terms—mainly due to the fact that, this past May, Freeman neglected to tell his partner that the band had broken up. But in a post on his official website over the weekend, Melchiondo announced that he's already looking to the future with a new solo album produced by Josh Homme. Melchiondo has been in the studio since August working on the record and says that he and the other artists on the ...
- 10/8/2012
- avclub.com
'My decision to leave Ween .... was absolutely not made in haste,' Aaron Freeman tells Rolling Stone.
By James Montgomery
Aaron Freeman
Photo:
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,...
By James Montgomery
Aaron Freeman
Photo:
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,...
- 6/21/2012
- MTV Music News
Ween have reportedly split up after 25 years together. The cult rock band's frontman Aaron Freeman - also known as Gene Ween - confirmed the break-up in an interview with Rolling Stone. He said: "It's time to move on. I'm retiring Gene Ween... It's been a long time, 25 years. It was a good run." However, bandmate Mickey Melchiondo, aka Dean Ween, later appeared to be unaware of the split on their Facebook page. He said that the break-up was "news to me, all I can say for now I guess", before the post was removed. Of the (more)...
- 5/31/2012
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
Ween, the alternative rock band formed by Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo, will stop producing music, says Freeman in a new interview with Rolling Stone.
"It's time to move on," Freeman said. "I'm retiring Gene Ween."
Gene Ween was Freeman's alter ego, while Dean Ween was Melchiondo's stage name. The pair formed Ween together in high school after meeting in an eighth-grade typing class. While Rolling Stone stipulates that Freeman and Melchiondo are still friends and that the split was harmonious, Melchiondo seemed taken aback by the news.
"This is news to me," he wrote on Facebook, "all I can say for now I guess."
Ween released 17 combined studio and independent albums between 1985 and 2007, as well as six live recordings. The band was known for its eclectic mix of sounds, from rock to pop to heavy metal to prog rock and electronic. For non-fans, they might be best known as...
"It's time to move on," Freeman said. "I'm retiring Gene Ween."
Gene Ween was Freeman's alter ego, while Dean Ween was Melchiondo's stage name. The pair formed Ween together in high school after meeting in an eighth-grade typing class. While Rolling Stone stipulates that Freeman and Melchiondo are still friends and that the split was harmonious, Melchiondo seemed taken aback by the news.
"This is news to me," he wrote on Facebook, "all I can say for now I guess."
Ween released 17 combined studio and independent albums between 1985 and 2007, as well as six live recordings. The band was known for its eclectic mix of sounds, from rock to pop to heavy metal to prog rock and electronic. For non-fans, they might be best known as...
- 5/30/2012
- by Christopher Rosen
- Huffington Post
With the band (apparently) calling it quits after 25 years, Bigger Than the Sound offers a eulogy.
By James Montgomery
Dean Ween
Photo: Chris McKay/ WireImage
In my review of Ween's 2007 album La Cucaracha (which also happens to be the last time they were mentioned on this website), I referred to them as "musical cockroaches," the kind of scurrying, scrounging band that — much like the titular (and totally gross) arthropod on the record's cover — was capable of surviving nuclear holocausts and subsisting on a bar of soap for weeks at a time.
"In essence, Ween are indestructible," I wrote. "They will be here long after you and I are gone."
It turns out, I was wrong about that last point. Because on Tuesday, Aaron Freeman, better known to bong-rippers and Scotchgard-huffers everywhere as Gene Ween, told Rolling Stone that he was retiring the mantle and ending Ween, saying, simply, "It's been a long time; 25 years.
By James Montgomery
Dean Ween
Photo: Chris McKay/ WireImage
In my review of Ween's 2007 album La Cucaracha (which also happens to be the last time they were mentioned on this website), I referred to them as "musical cockroaches," the kind of scurrying, scrounging band that — much like the titular (and totally gross) arthropod on the record's cover — was capable of surviving nuclear holocausts and subsisting on a bar of soap for weeks at a time.
"In essence, Ween are indestructible," I wrote. "They will be here long after you and I are gone."
It turns out, I was wrong about that last point. Because on Tuesday, Aaron Freeman, better known to bong-rippers and Scotchgard-huffers everywhere as Gene Ween, told Rolling Stone that he was retiring the mantle and ending Ween, saying, simply, "It's been a long time; 25 years.
- 5/30/2012
- MTV Music News
Indie band Ween began when Aaron Freeman (aka "Gene Ween") and Mickey Melchiondo (or "Dean Ween") met in their eighth grade typing class in 1984. It ended in 2012, when Freeman told Rolling Stone he was done being Gene Ween.
"It's time to move on," he says. "I'm retiring Gene Ween... It's been a long time, 25 years. It was a good run."
He tells the mag that he and Melchiondo are still on speaking terms but won't be reuniting as a band, ever. "For me it's a closed book. In life sometimes, in the universe, you have to close some doors to have others open," he explains. "There's no, 'Goddamn that such and such!' For me, I'd like to think it's a door I can close finally."
Melchiondo was unaware of Freeman's feelings before reading the Rolling Stone article. He wrote on his Facebook profile page, "This is news to me,...
"It's time to move on," he says. "I'm retiring Gene Ween... It's been a long time, 25 years. It was a good run."
He tells the mag that he and Melchiondo are still on speaking terms but won't be reuniting as a band, ever. "For me it's a closed book. In life sometimes, in the universe, you have to close some doors to have others open," he explains. "There's no, 'Goddamn that such and such!' For me, I'd like to think it's a door I can close finally."
Melchiondo was unaware of Freeman's feelings before reading the Rolling Stone article. He wrote on his Facebook profile page, "This is news to me,...
- 5/30/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Is cult band Ween calling it quits? According to co-frontman Gene Ween (real name: Aaron Freeman), the sad answer appears to be "yes." When we last checked in with Freeman, he was prepping a solo effort, but there wasn't any indication that his primary band was wrapping up after a quarter century of genre-hopping, lengthy jams, high-pitched vocals and generally weird musical weirdness. Now, however, Freeman feels it's time to move on. "It's been a long time, 25 years. It was a good run," he told Rolling Stone. "For me it's a closed book. In life sometimes, in the universe, you have to...
- 5/29/2012
- by HitFix Staff
- Hitfix
In an A.V. Club interview that ran earlier this month, Aaron "Gene Ween" Freeman declined to go into detail about the current status of Ween, one of the best and most enduring bands to emerge during the '90s alt-rock boom. "I’m just leaving it very open-ended," he said. "I’m not going to really get into that too much, so it’s just open-ended." Reading between the lines, it seemed obvious that Freeman was hinting that Ween was, at best, in the midst of an extended hiatus, and most likely finished. In a new interview with Rolling Stone ...
- 5/29/2012
- avclub.com
Gene Ween (Aka Aaron Freeman) has long been known to cult music fans as one-half of the restlessly prolific genre-mashers Ween, and he's ready to strike out on his own, announcing his upcoming, first-ever solo record. "Marvelous Clouds" (Partisan Records) includes 13 interpretations of songs written by poet/songwriter Rod McKuen. The album reunites reunites Freeman with Ben Vaughn, producer of the Ween's 1996 album "12 Golden Country Greats." McKuen was a beat poet-turned-songwriter who earned two Oscar nominations, one Pulitzer nomination, and sold millions of books and records. Freeman isn't the first singer to cover McKuen; his songs have been recorded...
- 1/13/2012
- by Dave Lewis
- Hitfix
On Tuesday (July 12), Weezer announced that they were partnering with Carnival Cruise Lines to launch a four-night voyage from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico called, appropriately enough "The Weezer Cruise" (aka "The whitest thing to hit the high seas since Thor Heyerdahl.")
The inaugural cruise sets sail in January, and boasts a lineup that includes not just the Weez, but Dinosaur Jr — and solo sets by both J. Mascis and Lou Barlow — Gene Ween, Wavves, and something/one called the Yacht Rock Review (which is appropriate, considering both the venue and the general pallor of everyone aboard). Fans who purchase tickets get access to all the shows, plus an exclusive Q&A with Weezer on the ship's lido deck, a photo op with the band and a sundry of other activities and amenities, including "swimming pools, water slides, relaxation decks, casino, mini-golf, ping-pong ... [and] karaoke."
Tickets start at just $699, though it should...
The inaugural cruise sets sail in January, and boasts a lineup that includes not just the Weez, but Dinosaur Jr — and solo sets by both J. Mascis and Lou Barlow — Gene Ween, Wavves, and something/one called the Yacht Rock Review (which is appropriate, considering both the venue and the general pallor of everyone aboard). Fans who purchase tickets get access to all the shows, plus an exclusive Q&A with Weezer on the ship's lido deck, a photo op with the band and a sundry of other activities and amenities, including "swimming pools, water slides, relaxation decks, casino, mini-golf, ping-pong ... [and] karaoke."
Tickets start at just $699, though it should...
- 7/13/2011
- by James Montgomery
- MTV Newsroom
In recent years, Weezer has covered Toni Braxton, collaborated with Lil Wayne, and featured Lost's Jorge Garcia on an album cover; these, combined with a long decline in songwriting since the late '90s, might leave fans wary of new Weezer gimmicks. But this one actually sounds pretty good: Weezer will host a Caribbean cruise featuring performances by a remarkable bill of indie-rock luminaries, including Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, Gene Ween, Wavves, and newcomers Yuck, among others. (They'll be playing several performances themselves.) The boat features four stages and will set out from Miami next January, headed for the island of Cozumel. It's like a floating music festival that costs a lot — fares range from $599 to $799 — but it also sounds pretty great, so if you have some cash to burn, get your tickets [...]...
- 7/12/2011
- Nerve
At the request of our readers, we recently brought back the Music version of the Chopping List after an extended hiatus, and while the past few weeks have been light on the music front, this week changes that in a big way. Below the jump you'll find this week's list. With so many genres to cover, this is in no way comprehensive, but features 21 highlights we think you're gonna dig. We've hand-picked an assortment that runs the gamut from Soundtracks to metal, goth, alternative, punk, and more.
What will you be listening to this week?
The Book Of Eli - Soundtrack - Reprise Records
The Book of Eli Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features an original score by composer/musician/producer Atticus Ross, marking his third collaboration with the Hughes Brothers and his first feature film score. Ross' music is a unique hybrid score of electronic and organic elements; writing with...
What will you be listening to this week?
The Book Of Eli - Soundtrack - Reprise Records
The Book of Eli Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features an original score by composer/musician/producer Atticus Ross, marking his third collaboration with the Hughes Brothers and his first feature film score. Ross' music is a unique hybrid score of electronic and organic elements; writing with...
- 1/10/2010
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (James Zahn)
- Fangoria
When it comes to the family of films based on comedy sketches, "Saturday Night Live" is Don Corleone, though in terms of quality, a more apt analogy might be Fredo, as the venerable late-night staple is responsible for some of the most inept cinematic yukfests of the past two decades. In the '90s alone, a slew of spin-offs helped expand the show's brand to movie theaters with negative results, with the movies often so awful that the show's once-unimpeachable status as a comedy innovator slowly gave way to a new reputation as a program dedicated to creating recurring characters fit for lame celluloid treatment. As the only comedy show on TV with the clout to get its gossamer-thin bits blown up for the big-screen, "SNL" naturally dominates our roundup of the worst sketches turned into films, though Lorne Michaels can take minor solace from the fact that the one...
- 9/1/2009
- by Nick Schager
- ifc.com
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