Ween have announced that they are stepping away from touring for “the foreseeable future” in order to preserve Dean Ween’s mental health – find out more below.
Yesterday (August 29), the American rock veterans took to social media to announce their hiatus from live performances due to founding guitarist and vocalist Michael ‘Dean Ween’ Melchiondo’s struggles with mental health.
The band, who were due to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their seminal album ‘Chocolate and Cheese’ next month, wrote: “It is with sincere regret and heavy hearts that Ween must make the decision to step away from the stage for the foreseeable future.”
They continued: “This includes next month’s sold-out ‘Chocolate and Cheese’ 25th anniversary show at the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia. Despite three great shows this summer, it’s become clear that touring and performing is too taxing on Deaner’s mental health to continued. As always, we thank you for the love, dedication and ongoing support.”
See the full post below.
This marks the latest string of tour dates that Ween have cancelled. Earlier this year, they axed the spring run of their 40th anniversary tour, and similarly shorted the tour’s summer leg.
In March, Dean Ween published a statement reading: “I need to step away from performing live in order to preserve my mental and spiritual well being, and instead focus on myself and loved ones.”
Ween – who formed in 1984 – went on indefinite hiatus in 2011 and returned in 2016. Most recently, they released a 30th anniversary deluxe reissue of the 1994 record ‘Chocolate and Cheese’ this month. They have not released new music since the 2007 album ‘La Cucaracha’.