Gene Ween (also Gener) is the pseudonym for Aaron Freeman (b. March 17, 1970, Pennsylvania USA), the rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist for experimental alternative rock group Ween. Alongside his longtime friend and band mate, Dean Ween (Mickey Melchiondo), Gene helped assemble the band Ween. Gene and Dean met in an eighth grade typing class in 1984, in New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where they both grew up. Both of them talked about bands they liked and playing their own music. Gene had a bunch of tapes he recorded of himself that he traded with Dean. Soon, they hung out and began jamming, recording most of what they put together. Ween took their music to the stage, received with both shock and awe. Ween's music eventually became more refined under the scrutiny of Papa and Deaner, leading to their first albums and their transformation into a full live band. When not recording or touring with Ween, Gene also keeps up a solo career - occasionally playing shows around his Pennsylvania hometown, where he still lives. Freeman has been seen performing with artists such as Jon Anderson of Yes. Freeman has also recently launched the Gene Ween Band where he plays alongside Ween Bassist Dave Dreiwitz, guitarist Scott Metzger and drumer Joe Russo, among others. In 2012, he released Marvelous Clouds, his first solo album under the name Aaron Freeman. The album is comprised entirely of songs written by Rod McKuen.