SLCene Suggests: Freeman at The State Room

The demise of over-the-top pop-rock experimentalists Ween was one of the sadder events in music the past few years. The partnership of Gene and Dean Ween was a long and fruitful one resulting in a series of always engaging Zappa-esque albums and not-to-be-missed live shows. But Gene Ween, whose real name is Aaron Freeman, felt the duo’s creativity was at an end, and he also decided to get sober after years of alcohol and drugs being party of his regular life. A cleaned-up rock star isn’t always a good thing for the music, but the knack for writing instantly catchy pop-rock songs hasn’t left Freeman’s skill-set on the first album by his new band, Freeman. Songs like “The English and Western Stallion” and “Gimme One More” could easily have fit on a Ween album, and I’m guessing the newly sober Freeman will make for a great live performer when he hits The State Room. The Weekenders open the show.