Watching the audience at a Ween show is every bit as interesting as watching the band itself. Punk rock Mohawks and hippy dreadlocks are seen in near equal numbers, and fans in various stages of inebriation stare sedately at the stage or dance like spastic reptiles on fire.

The audience at the sold-out show at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Sunday, June 10, was no exception. When Ween left the stage around 10:30 p.m., fans showered the band with a mix of ecstatic cheers and grumpy boos. The fans clearly enjoyed the music, but many seemed to bristle at the fact that it was coming to an end so early in the evening.

The show was entertaining while it lasted. Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo, better known as Gene and Dean Ween, treated the audience to a few acoustic numbers. The pair later switched to electric guitars and played a startlingly galvanized rendition of “The H.IV. Song.” Dean exultantly bobbed his head as he jammed on the song’s odd circus melody, pausing just long enough to scream the song’s sparse lyrics, alternately shouting “AIDS!” and “H-I-V!” When the song was over, he happily declared that it was the best version the band had ever performed.

Ween followed with an equally bizarre track off the “Chocolate and Cheese” album, the head-scratching “Mister Would You Please Help My Pony?” Shortly thereafter came an energized performance of “Booze Me Up and Get Me High,” which seemed to capture the spirit of the concert. Smoke machines were on full blast for “The Mollusk,” adding an enchanting quality to the song’s trippy keyboard flurries.

As the closing notes of “The Mollusk” died down, Gene unceremoniously walked away from the microphone and disappeared backstage. “Looks like Gener went to take a leak,” Dean announced. Whether Gene was actually relieving himself or doing something else, we will probably never know. But he was gone long enough for the rest of the band to play an impromptu jazz number and a brand new song called “I Got To Put the Hammer Down.” The song, complete with lyrics about heroin abuse and paranoia, appears on Ween’s latest recording, “The Friends E.P.,” which is slated for release on June 19 from Chocodog Records. A full-length album will follow this fall. 

Gene eventually returned to the stage and wandered around in apparent confusion before picking up a megaphone and launching into a tearing take of “Stroker Ace.” It was only a couple of songs later when Gene abruptly yelled “Thank you!” and left the stage once again—this time accompanied by the entire band. 

The still-hungry fans roared for an encore, chanting “Ween! Ween! Ween!” and stomping their feet on the ballroom floor. The band took its time, but Gene and Dean eventually returned to the stage, nonchalantly puffing cigarettes. They played three more songs, beginning with the ever-popular “Mister Richard Smoker,” off the album “12 Country Hits.” After the third song, Gene thanked the audience again and summoned the rest of the band to center stage. As the group took a bow, a significant chorus of boos could be heard threading through the cheers. Ween did not seem to notice.

A certain amount of insouciance is to be expected from a band like Ween. When The Wire inquired about getting an interview with Gene or Dean, the following message came from the band’s management: “Ween is not doing any press or interviews this summer.” It is best, therefore, to judge the group on the merits of its live performance.

A pleasant surprise was the strength of Dean’s guitar work. His upper body seems to lock up when he solos, and his head bobs furiously, making it look like he is being electrocuted by his own guitar. The spirited solos demonstrated how much Dean has matured as a guitarist since the band’s early days. A highlight came when Gene and Dean collaborated on a joint solo, facing one another during a prolonged, psychedelic jam. The band mates were clearly enjoying themselves, and their enjoyment heightened the performance.

Ween has evolved significantly since Gene and Dean met as teenagers in a junior high typing class in Pennsylvania. Although it is still an unabashedly drug-oriented band, the two main members no longer sound like they record their albums while sniffing glue in a basement. They can now afford real studio space—and real drugs. 

After Ween departed the stage for good on Sunday night, fans staggered out through the ballroom’s rear exits, leaving a sea of empty aluminum beer bottles and plastic cups in its wake. Some fans lingered on the dance floor, playing soccer with beverage containers or balancing stacks of bottles. With the music over by 11 p.m., they had to find some way to entertain themselves.