Chocolate and Cheese
Encyclopedia
Chocolate and Cheese is Ween
's fourth studio album, originally released by Elektra Records
in 1994. It was the first Ween album to eschew the crude four-track home recordings of their first three albums and utilize a professional recording studio. However, most of the instruments were still played by Dean
and Gene Ween
, including their drum machine
.
, who died while Ween was putting the album together. "A Tear for Eddie" was dedicated to the funk/psychedelic guitar pioneer Eddie Hazel
, who died December 23, 1992. In a 2011 interview, Gene Ween credited a Spanish lesson on Sesame Street
with inspiring Buenos Tardes Amigo.
"Voodoo Lady EP
" was released by Flying Nun Records
(as a 7") and White Records (as a CD) in 1994, and included the tracks "Buenas Tardes Amigo", "There's a Pig" (CD version only), and "Vallejo" (CD version only). The EP's title track can be heard in the films Road Trip and Dude, Where's My Car?
, as well as the original version of "In The Bathroom," a skit from the sketch comedy show The State
, whilst the album track "Buenas Tardes Amigo" was featured in the German films Lammbock
and Herr Lehmann
.
"Freedom of '76" is an EP released by Flying Nun Records in 1995, and included two versions of the title track plus "Now I'm Freaking Out" and "Pollo Asado". CKY
guitarist (and dedicated Ween fan) Chad Ginsburg appeared in the "Freedom of '76" promo video as an extra shouting at Gene and Dean after they stole the Liberty Bell
. According to Chad, he was screaming "You stole my song!", due to the similarities of his song (Rudy + Blitz "Loaf") and Ween's "Spinal Meningitis".
Original Vinyl Pressings :
On top of the elektra records release ( Elektra 61639-2 US 1994), it was pressed distributed by Grand Royal records in the USA in 1994 with a 2 LP non-gatefold version (Chocolate And Cheese (2xLP) Grand Royal GR 010 US 1994) and also overseas in New Zealand with 2 editions, on Flying Nun records also in 1994, one with a bonus 7" single(Chocolate And Cheese (2xLP) Flying Nun Records FN314 UK 1994
Chocolate And Cheese (2xLP + 7") Flying Nun Records FNSP314)
Note that there is a catalogue number for the vinyl issue by Elektra records, but there is no
confirmation it was pressed on vinyl at this time, possibly only in promo edition.
Cover versions
Additional personnel
Ween
Ween is an American alternative rock group. They formed in 1984 in New Hope, Pennsylvania when central members Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo met in an eighth grade typing class. Ween has a large cult underground fanbase despite being generally unknown in American pop music...
's fourth studio album, originally released by Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
in 1994. It was the first Ween album to eschew the crude four-track home recordings of their first three albums and utilize a professional recording studio. However, most of the instruments were still played by Dean
Dean Ween
Dean Ween is the stage name of Michael "Mickey" Melchiondo, Jr., American guitarist and half of the alternative rock group Ween.-Biography:...
and Gene Ween
Gene Ween
Aaron Freeman , best known as Gene Ween, is a musician and a founding member of the experimental alternative rock group Ween...
, including their drum machine
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
.
Track listing
All tracks by WeenWeen
Ween is an American alternative rock group. They formed in 1984 in New Hope, Pennsylvania when central members Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo met in an eighth grade typing class. Ween has a large cult underground fanbase despite being generally unknown in American pop music...
Background
The album is dedicated to comedian John CandyJohn Candy
John Franklin Candy was a Canadian actor and comedian. He rose to fame as a member of the Toronto branch of The Second City and its related Second City Television series, and through his appearances in comedy films such as Stripes, Splash, Cool Runnings, The Great Outdoors, Spaceballs, and Uncle...
, who died while Ween was putting the album together. "A Tear for Eddie" was dedicated to the funk/psychedelic guitar pioneer Eddie Hazel
Eddie Hazel
Edward Earl "Eddie" Hazel was a guitarist in early funk music in the United States who played lead guitar with Parliament-Funkadelic...
, who died December 23, 1992. In a 2011 interview, Gene Ween credited a Spanish lesson on Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
with inspiring Buenos Tardes Amigo.
Album cover
Ween originally wanted the cover to have a "gay sailor theme" but the studio thought it politically incorrect (possibly because of "The HIV Song", which is ironically cheery and upbeat). Instead, they opted for a woman's body on the cover. The band say that they never got to meet the cover model, Ashley Savage. Additionally, the cover pays homage to the cover of The Commodores' 1982 album All the Great Hits.Related releases
"I Can't Put My Finger on It" is an EP released by Elektra Records in 1994, and included the tracks "I Can't Put My Finger on It", "A Tear for Eddie", "Now I'm Freaking Out" and "Bakersfield"."Voodoo Lady EP
Voodoo Lady EP
The Voodoo Lady EP is an EP released by the band Ween in 1994 on Flying Nun Records/White Records.The EP's title track also appears on the band's 1994 album Chocolate and Cheese. It is also one of two Ween songs - the other being Push th' Little Daisies - to chart on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks,...
" was released by Flying Nun Records
Flying Nun Records
Flying Nun Records is an independent record label formed in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1981 by music-store proprietor Roger Shepherd.-History:The label was formed in the flurry of new punk rock-inspired labels forming in the early 1980s...
(as a 7") and White Records (as a CD) in 1994, and included the tracks "Buenas Tardes Amigo", "There's a Pig" (CD version only), and "Vallejo" (CD version only). The EP's title track can be heard in the films Road Trip and Dude, Where's My Car?
Dude, Where's My Car?
Dude, Where's My Car? is a 2000 American stoner comedy film directed by Danny Leiner. The film stars Ashton Kutcher and Seann William Scott as two young men who find themselves wasted and forget where they parked their car....
, as well as the original version of "In The Bathroom," a skit from the sketch comedy show The State
The State (TV series)
The State is a half-hour sketch-comedy television show, originally broadcast on MTV between December 17, 1993 and July 1, 1995. The show combined bizarre characters and scenarios to present sketches that won the favor of its target teenaged audience...
, whilst the album track "Buenas Tardes Amigo" was featured in the German films Lammbock
Lammbock
Lammbock is a 2001 German stoner film. The movie is based around two pizza delivery guys who decide to up their income by adding marijuana to the menu and get into trouble after attracting the attention of an undercover cop. There are numerous subplots, and the movie is essentially split up into...
and Herr Lehmann
Herr Lehmann
Herr Lehmann is a German novel by Sven Regener, published in 2001, adapted for the screen in 2003. It has been translated into English by John Brownjohn under the title Berlin Blues....
.
"Freedom of '76" is an EP released by Flying Nun Records in 1995, and included two versions of the title track plus "Now I'm Freaking Out" and "Pollo Asado". CKY
CKY (band)
CKY is an American alternative metal band that formed in West Chester, Pennsylvania in 1998. Centred around core members Deron Miller , Chad I Ginsburg and Jess Margera , the band shares its name with a skateboarding and stunt video series produced by Bam Margera, brother of drummer Jess...
guitarist (and dedicated Ween fan) Chad Ginsburg appeared in the "Freedom of '76" promo video as an extra shouting at Gene and Dean after they stole the Liberty Bell
Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American Independence, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formerly placed in the steeple of the Pennsylvania State House , the bell was commissioned from the London firm of Lester and Pack in 1752, and was cast with the lettering "Proclaim LIBERTY...
. According to Chad, he was screaming "You stole my song!", due to the similarities of his song (Rudy + Blitz "Loaf") and Ween's "Spinal Meningitis".
Original Vinyl Pressings :
On top of the elektra records release ( Elektra 61639-2 US 1994), it was pressed distributed by Grand Royal records in the USA in 1994 with a 2 LP non-gatefold version (Chocolate And Cheese (2xLP) Grand Royal GR 010 US 1994) and also overseas in New Zealand with 2 editions, on Flying Nun records also in 1994, one with a bonus 7" single(Chocolate And Cheese (2xLP) Flying Nun Records FN314 UK 1994
Chocolate And Cheese (2xLP + 7") Flying Nun Records FNSP314)
Note that there is a catalogue number for the vinyl issue by Elektra records, but there is no
confirmation it was pressed on vinyl at this time, possibly only in promo edition.
Cover versions
- "Roses Are Free" has been played several times by PhishPhishPhish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
, notably as a 35 minute jam during their Millenium New Year's Eve event at Big Cypress Indian Reservation, an all-night concert in which "Roses are Free" appeared in the wee hours of the morning on January 1, 2000. - AshAsh (band)Ash are an alternative rock band that formed in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland in 1992. The band has sold 8 million albums worldwide.-Band beginning, Trailer and 1977 :...
recorded a version of "What Deaner Was Talkin' About", released as a B-side on their 1997 single "A Life Less Ordinary". This track also features on their limited edition live album, Live at the WirelessLive at the Wireless (Ash album)Live at the Wireless was a limited edition, live album by Ash, released in 1997. It was recorded live at the Triple J Studios in Australia during the group's 1996 Australian tour and printed on the band's own Deathstar label....
. - Amos LeeAmos LeeAmos Lee is an American singer-songwriter whose musical style encompasses folk, rock and soul. Lee has four albums on Blue Note Records and has toured as an opening act for Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Norah Jones, Paul Simon, Merle Haggard, Van Morrison, John Prine, Dave Matthews Band and Adele. In...
performed "Buenas Tardes Amigo" on an iTunes exclusive live album entitled "iTunes Live From SoHo"
Personnel
The band- Dean Ween - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, Vocals - Gene Ween - Vocals
- Mean Ween - Bass
- Claude Coleman - Drums
Additional personnel
- Greg Frey - Engineer
- Howie Weinberg - Mastering
- Andrew Weiss - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
- Kirk Miller - Live Sound
- Danny ClinchDanny ClinchDanny Clinch is a photographer and film director who was born in Toms River, New Jersey in 1964. He graduated from Toms River High School East in 1982 and after attending Ocean County College, he attended the New England School of Photography, a two-year institution located in Boston, MA.Clinch...
- Photography - John Kuezala - Photography
- Reiner Design Consultants - Design
- Patricia Frey Stephan
- Scott Lowe
External links
- The H.I.V. Song on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
- Ween.Net