Homecoming: The Dean Ween Group Plays Philadelphia – Photos, Recap & Setlist

Words by: Claire Sitarz

Images by: Meredith Kleiber

The Dean Ween Group :: 03.30.18 :: Theatre Of Living Arts :: Philadelphia, PA

The Dean Ween Group took the stage at Philadelphia’s Theater Of Living Arts this past Friday to tour behind their new album rock2. Guitarist/vocalist Mickey “Dean Ween” Melchiondo, bassist Dave Dreiwitz, guitarist Bill Fowler and drummer Sim Cain played a mix of songs from rock2, The Deaner Album, and even reached into Ween’s catalog, keeping fans engaged throughout the show.

Keith Kenny, a one-man show driven by heavy and percussive guitar opened for the Dean Ween Group.

Taking the stage, Melchiondo, originally from New Hope, Pennsylvania, greeted fans stating it was good to “finally be back home,” and kicked into “The Ritz Carlton”. The band went on to play Ween’s “Frank,” “Waste Station 9,” “Gary,” and their ode to pre-coital romance “Fingerbangin’”.

Moistboyz frontman, and air guitar enthusiast Guy Heller joined the band for three songs, keeping energy high as he strutted shirtless around the stage. Heller added vocals to songs like “Transdermal Celebration,” as the crowd’s excitement built. Guy also sang a cover of David Bowie’s “Width Of A Circle.”

The band played “Leave Deaner Alone” and “Mercedes Benz” before closing the show with “The Rift.” The Dean Ween group came back for a one-song encore of “The Heart of Palm,” or, as Deaner described it, they “sent everyone off with a lullaby.”

Setlist

Set: The Ritz Carlton, Frank, Waste Station 9, I Was Nothing, The Love Theme To Skinheads Kicking Your Ass, Garry, Width Of A Circle^, Transdermal Celebration^, Leave Deaner Alone, It’s Gonna Be A Long Night, Fingerbangin’, Cold & Wet, Exercise Man, Mercedes Benz*, The Doo Doo Chasers, The Rift%

Encore: This Heart Of Palm

• ^ – w/ Guy Heller – Lead Vocals
• * – w/ Keith Kenny – Electric Guitar/ Backing Vocals
• % – w/ Guy Heller – Vocals