"WELL-ROUNDERED"

Ween Gets Smooth, Lets New Label Drive Sales

Ween was always one of the more curious major-label signings of the early-'90s alternative rock explosion. After all, the cult favorite Pennsylvania duo preferred to dabble in every genre imaginable (they even made a full-fledged country album in 1996) than attempt to court the favor of radio.

But somehow, Ween remained on Elektra Records for more than a decade before joining Sanctuary for the release of 2003's "Quebec," which has sold 91,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Now, the group has just inked with Rounder to handle its next project. "La Cucaracha." which arrives Oct. 23. In an odd twist, guitarist Mickey "Dean Ween" Melchiondo grew up following area legend George Thorogood, whose back catalog is handled by Rounder. "Some of those pictures in his Rounder albums are taken at the bar I drink at every single night," he says proudly.

Ween will continue to maintain its own Chocodog label, on which it has released several live albums and efforts by like-minded bands. But the act didn't consider going DIY for the "La Cucaracha."

"At this stage, we want to make records and let somebody else try and sell them," Melchiondo says. "We didn't have any real specific needs, other than, get the record out in as many stores as you can, and we'll go out and tour hard behind it."

Indeed, Ween will embark on its most extensive roadwork in years beginning Oct. 16 in Bloomington. Ind., first hitting North America and then heading to Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

The shows will feature a wealth of "La Cucaracha material. "We want to be able to play 80 or 90% of this album onstage," says Melchiondo, who is joined in the band by lifelong friend Aaron "Gene Ween" Freeman. "Because we play a three-hour show, just for my own sanity, I need as many new songs as possible."

Highlights include the back-porch country jam "Learnin to Love," the gruff. Melchiondo-sung "My Own Bare Hands," the nearly 11-minute rocker "Woman and Man" and "Spirit Walker," a prog-rock homage with Ween's trademark disorienting vocal effects and noises. But the band is most proud of "Your Party," which boasts a guest turn from saxophonist David Sanborn.

"The demo kind of sounded like the Red Hot Chili Peppers or something." Melchiondo says. "But then we decided to go the opposite way-instead of making it nasty, we thought, 'Let's make it smooth. And when I think of smooth, I think of David Sanborn."