• Subject: review of philly show 1/30 From: Matt Lavanish ( mlavanish@nni.com ) Philadelphia PA - The Trocadero - 1/30 Well the boys did it. They sold out a pretty damn big club near home. They always talked about filling City Gardens in Trenton, but it closed before they got big. So tonight was the night. And it showed. They seemed in a very good mood and played a lot of favorites and requests from the crowd. Someone threw a wig on stage that looked just like Deaners hair, so the bass player wore it and looked just like him! They played stuff from all their records, old faves like Tick and You Fucked Up, Don't Get Too Close To My Fantasy, Sketches of Wrinkle, Dr. Rock, lots of stuff from C&C, and monstrous versions of Frank and A Tear for Eddie. The encore included a mega-blast of Buenas Tardes and Van Halen's Hot for Teacher(totally gave me a new look at that song). All in all, a great show, and I've seen Ween at least 20 times in the last 5 years. By the way, if you were the pretty dark haired girl with glasses squatting against the wall who smiled at me(long haired guy in a long grey coat) after the show, you should write to me. kmor@ix.netcom.com
  • Subject: Ween-The Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA 01/30/98 From: Leester2@aol.com Yes, Ween came into their hometown last night, shaking the foundations of provincialism, and came off on top. I'm still not right from the excess and Thompsonesque spectacle that is WEEN. Highlights from all facets of the Ween discography were distributed to the sold out capacity crowd with references to local T.V. news correspondent Kathy Gandolfo (during Blarney Stone), that goddamn mall in Buckingham (in Buckingham Green), and Long Beach Island (during the 3/4 time nautical rave-up The Mollusk) peppering the show. Drummer Claude concluded with his rendition of Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher" which duplicated the opening set of lyrics twice and showcased the Eddielike chops of one Deaner Ween. Other highlights were a rarity from God/Ween/Satan, "Nan", which Gener said several times was "by Ween" (as if we couldn't guess). The vociferous crowd screamed out their requests during the entire show and the band mostly obliged with the exception of Machine Gun, Spirit of '76, and Push The Little Daisies. All in all, this 2 1/2 show was definitely worth the $12. to see these alternative rock gods. Too bad they didn't do "Roses Are Free" which Phish has taken to covering as of late.
  • Subject: Ween Review, Philly 1/30/98 From: "Juan" ( mudshark@ptdprolog.net ) I was lucky enough to witness Ween's first ever Sold Out concert. It was at The tiny Tracadero Theatre in Philadelphia on January 30th, 1998. Ween took the stage in a wonderful mood, and stood in awe looking at the huge audience. They were quick to announce, "This is our first sold out concert. Thanks, guys." Gener was very lively, and Deaner was just in a drunken ecstasy state. The rest of the band was incredibly tight, with a strong stage presence. Some members of the audience, however, were incredibly lame. Moshing, dancing, kicking, and generally annoying everyone around them, including myself. They even moshed to "The Mollusk", it was a pretty pathetic scene. Ween, however, played one of the most intense, incredible sets they have ever played. Every single one of Deaner's guitar solos was absolutely incredible. Deaner was so drunk, he would whirl around like he was gonna collapse, then he would fall to his knees and just rip it up. Gener's mom even made a guest appearance on stage, to hand Gener his mandolin for "Ocean Man". At the end, they ripped shit up with "Hot For Teacher" and then left the stage with huge smiles on their faces. All in all, it was an intense show that must be heard. This is the complete set list, with a few songs out of order. WEEN Philadelphia 1/30/98 Dancin' In The Show Tonight Take Me Away Buckingham Green Spinal Meningitis (Got Me Down) Don't Get 2 Close (2 My Fantasy) Waving My Dick In The Wind Mister, Would You Please Help My Pony (It was funny to watch people mosh to this......) Dr. Rock The Golden Eel Nan (Gener said, "We rarely play this one.") Voodoo Lady (kicked major ass) Sketches Of Winkle Pumpin' 4 The Man The Mollusk Mr. Richard Smoker Puerto Rican Power Tick (by request) Tender Situation (by request and really good) Frank (heavy as hell !) Mantra / I Can't Put My Finger On It Tear For Eddie (completely amazing) {{{{{{{ Ween takes a breather here. Deaner says, "We gotta take a break. That was the most intense 'Tear For Eddie' we have ever played." :) Then Gener's Mom comes up on stage to give him his mandolin. }}}}}} Ocean Man Blarney Stone (Deaner improvises a verse) You Fucked Up (You Guessed it - more moshing) The HIV Song What Deaner Was Talking About --------------------------------------- Baby Bitch (wonderful, the whole audience went crazy) Buenos Tardes Amigo (this song is REALLY INTENSE live!) Hot 4 Teacher (Deaner = guitar God) That's It. Thanks, John W. Busher