Hold onto your hats, Ween fans—there’s no reunion in sight (yet), but something almost as exciting is on the horizon. The band has just unveiled plans for a jaw-dropping archival release for Record Store Day 2026, and it’s not your average reissue. The Europe “90” 3LP box set is a treasure trove of long-lost studio sessions and a live recording that guitarist Mickey “Dean Ween” Melchiondo boldly declares “the best Ween show of all-time.” But here’s where it gets controversial: is this enough to satisfy fans craving a full-fledged reunion, or just a tease? Let’s dive in.
Scheduled for release on April 18th, WeenEurope “90” takes us back to a pivotal moment in the band’s history. The studio sessions were recorded in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, on Christmas Day 1990, during Dean and Aaron “Gene Ween” Freeman’s European tour as a duo. At the time, they were promoting their debut album, GodWeenSatan: The Oneness, and living in their tour manager Rene De Wever’s apartment from September 1990 to March 1991. As Deaner nostalgically recalled in 2018, they’d “jump off to other countries in his Renault Le Car with our tape deck, playing gigs for gas and shelter.” Talk about humble beginnings!
The studio recordings include unreleased gems like the MTV hit “Push the Lil’ Daises,” along with deep cuts like “Cover it with Gas and Set it on Fire,” “Albino Sunburn Girl,” and “I Wuz Nothin'.” The latter, a live staple, made a surprise return in 2021 after two decades, though with Dean taking over vocal duties from Gene. And this is the part most people miss: these tracks, though never officially released, have become fan favorites over the years.
Now, onto the live component—LPs two and three feature The Reality of Brown: Live in Basel. Here’s the kicker: the show started with zero audience members, ending with a grand total of five. Yes, you read that right. When Mickey shared an audio recording of the show in 2018, he aptly titled it, “this is the reality of Brown.” His full post is a must-read, capturing the raw, unfiltered essence of Ween’s early days: “This is us in Basel, Switzerland in front of NO PEOPLE (except Rene), until the end of the gig when we had 5 people. Our sound guy was named Pidah, and this is the best Ween show of all time.” Eight years later, this legendary performance is finally getting an official release.
While this isn’t the reunion announcement fans were hoping for—hopes fueled by a cryptic social media post featuring the band’s iconic Boognish symbol and the caption “Is this thing on, mang?”—it’s a reminder that Deaner remains active in the Weeniverse. In August 2024, the band announced a hiatus due to concerns for Dean’s mental health, leaving fans worried about the future. So, is this release a consolation prize, or a hint of more to come? That’s the million-dollar question.
Adding to the excitement, Gener is reissuing his 2014 solo album, FREEMAN, on an exclusive orange and purple split-color pressing. Meanwhile, Deaner has been spotted in his happy place, fishing off the coast of New Jersey, and collaborating with his son Michael Melchiondo (aka Bugger). And in a heartwarming twist, Deaner and Gener’s kids played a show together in Lambertville, NJ, honoring their fathers with a Ween deep cut—though they were quick to clarify, “WE ARE NOT WEEN.”
So, what do you think? Is this archival release enough to tide you over, or are you still holding out for a reunion? And is it fair for bands to tease fans with cryptic posts that spark wild theories? Sound off in the comments—we want to hear your take, mang. Long live Ween!
