# Dean Ween

Michael Melchiondo Jr. (born September 25, 1970), better known by his stage name Dean Ween, is an American guitarist, singer and a founding member of the alternative rock group Ween. He is currently active in the groups Ween, Moistboyz and The Dean Ween Group.

## Biography

In 1984, Melchiondo met Aaron Freeman in a junior high school typing class, in their hometown of New Hope, Pennsylvania. The two adopted the fictitious surname Ween after the demon-god Boognish appeared to them, with Melchiondo taking up the name Dean Ween and Freeman the name Gene Ween.
In 1991, Melchiondo formed the punk rock duo Moistboyz with Guy Heller. Moistboyz have released five eponymous studio recordings.
Melchiondo made contributions to two projects by his friend Josh Homme: The Desert Sessions and Queens of the Stone Age. On the 2002 Queens of the Stone Age album Songs for the Deaf, Melchiondo played guitar on "Mosquito Song", "Gonna Leave You", and "Six Shooter".
In 2009 Melchiondo received his captain's license and regularly leads fishing trips off the Jersey Shore as Mickey's Guide Service.
In 2012, in the wake of Ween's breakup, Melchiondo formed The Dean Ween Group. In August 2016 the Dean Ween Group's debut album, The Deaner Album, was announced with the release of the first track entitled "Mercedes Benz". On October 7, 2016 Melchiondo's first-ever solo music video was released for the song "Exercise Man", the music video was directed by Monica Hampton. "The Deaner Album" was subsequently released on October 21, 2016 through ATO Records. Melchiondo's second solo album under The Dean Ween Group moniker, rock2, was released on March 16, 2018.

## Discography

with Ween
* GodWeenSatan: The Oneness (1990)
* The Pod (1991)
* Pure Guava (1992)
* Chocolate and Cheese (1994)
* 12 Golden Country Greats (1996)
* The Mollusk (1997)
* White Pepper (2000)
* Quebec (2003)
* Shinola Vol. 1 (2005)
* La Cucaracha (2007)
with Moistboyz
* Moistboyz (1994)
* Moistboyz II (1996)
* Moistboyz III (2002)
* Moistboyz IV (2005)
* Moistboyz V (2016)

## Projects and appearances outside Ween

| Year | Title | Label |
| 1993 | En Esch – Cheesy | TVT Records |
| 1994 | Moistboyz – Moistboyz I | Grand Royal |
| 1994 | Moistboyz – O.G. Simpson | X-Ploit Records |
| 1995 | Moistboyz – Second Hand Smoker | Arson Records |
| 1995 | Kostars – Klassics With a 'K | Grand Royal |
| 1996 | Moistboyz – Moistboyz II | Grand Royal |
| 1996 | Yoko Ono – Rising Mixes | Capitol Records |
| 1996 | Ben Vaughn – Instrumental Stylings | Bar None Records |
| 1997 | Z-Rock Hawaii | Nipp Guitar |
| 1998 | Hub – Hub | Slash Records |
| 1999 | Ben – Wool | Ben Chatrer |
| 2001 | Pigface – Preaching to the Perverted | Invisible Records |
| 2002 | Moistboyz – Moistboyz III | Ipecac Recordings |
| 2002 | Ben – I Am a Monster | Ben Chatrer |
| 2002 | Rollins Band – Rise Above: 24 Black Flag Songs to Benefit the West Memphis Three | Sanctuary Records |
| 2002 | Queens of the Stone Age – Songs for the Deaf | Interscope Records |
| 2003 | Desert Sessions – Volumes 9 & 10 | Ipecac Recordings/Rekords Rekords |
| 2005 | Moistboyz – Moistboyz IV | Sanctuary Records |
| 2005 | Chris Harford – Looking Out For Number 6 | Chocodog Records |
| 2011 | Ben – Bath | Ben Chatrer |
| 2013 | Moistboyz – Moistboyz V | Neverman Records |
| 2014 | Nick Oliveri's Uncontrollable – Leave Me Alone | Schnitzel Records |
| 2016 | The Dean Ween Group – The Deaner Album | ATO Records |
| 2018 | The Dean Ween Group – rock2 | Schnitzel Records |
| 2019 | Solid Bronze- "The Fruit Basket" | Schnitzel Records |
| 2020 | Ben Chatrer - What Have I Done!/ I Am A Monster | Captured Tracks |