As you probably know, New Jersey was hit really hard during Hurricane Sandy and in an effort to help one of the victims, Dean Ween (aka Mickey Melchiondo of Ween) is hosting a benefit concert in Asbury Park (home of the Stone Pony which did survive the storm). Dean writes...

Like a lot of people I know it's hard to figure out where to best donate money and resources right now. To this end I've just arranged a benefit concert for my good friend Nick Honachefsky who lost his home and all of his worldly possessions in the storm. I'm hosting a benefit concert at the Saint in Asbury Park, NJ on Sun Nov. 11 Wed, Nov. 28--"Dean Ween and Friends" featuring Claude Coleman, Glenn McClelland, Chris Harford, Dickie Moist, and the all of the usual suspects to help Nick get back on his feet. The evening will feature new music and old music by Moistboyz, Chris Harford, Jimmy Wilson, members of Ween, etc. More specific details to follow. Also, there is a fund set up for Nick at this address.

Dean is also working on his first solo album, which will feature Josh Homme, Nick Oliveri, Guy Heller, Claude Coleman, Chuck Treece, Dave Dreiwitz, Glenn McClelland, Joe Kramer, Andrew Weiss, Joe Russo, Scott Metzger, and more guests that he's worked with over the years. In addition to featuring on the album, Josh Homme is also producing it. The above picture is of Dean Ween at the recording sessions for his new album with Joe Kramer and Chuck Treece (via Facebook).

UPDATE: The date of this benefit has changed.

A video of Dean Ween and some of his friends jamming is below...

Continue reading "Dean Ween playing Hurricane Sandy benefit in Asbury Park, working on new LP with Josh Homme & others"

Levon Helm lost his long battle with cancer on April 19, and his life and legacy will be celebrated at a couple of upcoming events, starting with a show by The Band tribute band The The Band Band at BB King's tonight (5/8). A portion of ticket sales will go to The American Cancer Society in honor of Levon Helm.

Brooklyn Bowl is hosting "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down": A Celebration of the Life and Music of Levon Helm on June 4. Marco Benevento, Dave Dreiwitz, Scott Metzger and Joe Russo (of Zeppelin tribute band Bustle in Your Hedgerow and other projects) form the core of the tribute, with special guests including Craig Finn & Tad Kubler (The Hold Steady), members of Guster, members of The Felice Brothers, Nicole Atkins, Phosphorescent, Family Band, Diamond Doves, Kelli Scarr, Yellowbirds, and Tom Hamilton of American Babies. Tickets are $20 and on sale now, and proceeds will go to benefit Helm's "The Barn" studio.

Dave Dreiwitz meanwhile can be found tonight (5/8) at City Winery backing... Michael Moore, and Wednesday (5/9) backing Aaorn Freeman aka Gene Ween at 92YTribeca.

The flyer for the Brooklyn Bowl event is below, as is video of Bruce Springsteen's recent live performance of The Band's classic "The Weight."

Continue reading "upcoming Levon Helm tributes w/ Benevento, Russo, Dreiwitz, members of the Hold Steady & many more"

Gene Ween @ McCarren Pool (more by Zach Dilgard)

The Gene Ween Band (Dave Dreiwitz, Scott Metzger, Joe Russo) will be touring in December.

Tickets are on sale for a December 18th show at Highline Ballroom in NYC. Tickets go on sale Wednesday for the show happening one day earlier at Music Hall of Williamsburg. All dates and more ticket info below...

Continue reading "Gene Ween Band - December 2008 Tour Dates"