The Legend of O'Neill & wean (I found out)
While working on the band Oh My God's "Interrogations and Confessions" album in 2003, lead singer & bassist Billy O'Neill and studio engineer Dan Wean bonded in the studio. They inspired each other to work harder and got some amazing performances for the record. Though both were living in Chicago, Dan's band, Easy Tiger, and the always touring Oh My God rarely crossed paths again except for occasionally meeting at each others shows until April of 2005 when Billy coaxed Dan to come "jam" with a case of beer and a Chicago Style pizza. In 7 hours, 7 songs were written in their entirety. With Billy leaving for Arizona for an extended stay a week later, & because of Dan's upcoming back surgery, which would require lots of recovery time, the decision was made to rush into the studio and capture these songs while they were still raw and fresh. Dan handled the music, playing just about all the instruments (guitars, bass, drums, backing vocals, and percussion) while Billy sang his heart out with his amazing melodies and lyrics. Special guest Andy Farag from Umphrey's McGee laid down some congas and percussion and that was it! 4 days and it was done! The "You Are Beautiful E.P."
As a live act, the two of them took to the road in 2006-2008. One evening Billy overheard a fan in the audience proclaim "The two of you sound like if Simon & Garfunkel were in Van Halen". That's a fitting compliment! With just one acoustic guitar and 2 vocals, O'Neill & Wean brought an energy and full band mentality with swooping dynamics and tight harmonies to every performance. Billy's on stage antics and energy made every show a one of a kind event. In mid 2008, with Billy O'Neill now living in Milwaukee, and Dan Wean in Chicago, they started focusing on different projects with Dan joining the band Van Ghost and Billy working with Oh My God and Brave Last Days among others.
In 2015, almost ten years after the release of the "You Are Beautiful E.P." O'Neill & Wean decided to reunite due to popular demand & unfinished business. They played a special one-off reunion show at the Tonic Room in Chicago on 5/16/15, which was 2 sets that included the entire "You Are Beautiful EP", the upcoming "With Sympathy" album, as well as a few covers & songs from their previous bands Oh My God & Easy Tiger. (See the shows page for the setlist) The duo's full length album “With Sympathy” was released in late 2024 and the duo will get back to playing live in 2025.
As a live act, the two of them took to the road in 2006-2008. One evening Billy overheard a fan in the audience proclaim "The two of you sound like if Simon & Garfunkel were in Van Halen". That's a fitting compliment! With just one acoustic guitar and 2 vocals, O'Neill & Wean brought an energy and full band mentality with swooping dynamics and tight harmonies to every performance. Billy's on stage antics and energy made every show a one of a kind event. In mid 2008, with Billy O'Neill now living in Milwaukee, and Dan Wean in Chicago, they started focusing on different projects with Dan joining the band Van Ghost and Billy working with Oh My God and Brave Last Days among others.
In 2015, almost ten years after the release of the "You Are Beautiful E.P." O'Neill & Wean decided to reunite due to popular demand & unfinished business. They played a special one-off reunion show at the Tonic Room in Chicago on 5/16/15, which was 2 sets that included the entire "You Are Beautiful EP", the upcoming "With Sympathy" album, as well as a few covers & songs from their previous bands Oh My God & Easy Tiger. (See the shows page for the setlist) The duo's full length album “With Sympathy” was released in late 2024 and the duo will get back to playing live in 2025.
