Monday, August 29, 2005

Drug bands

I don't do drugs. I don't like them, I don't like the fact that you lose control when on them. I hate the smell of pot, it smells like ass (don't ask me how I know what ass smells like, I'm making a non-literal comparison). I drink, but never to the point of stumbling. And not that often either. So I found it extremely odd that when I actually thought about it, I listen to a lot of drug music. To wit:
The Black Crowes: The poster boys for legalizing pot, at one time they smoked on stage and were high for most of their performances (they're very tight now so I don't think they're high on stage anymore). In fact Spin magazine once listed 10 things that stoners think, #2 was "The Black Crowes Amorica album is one of the best albums of all time". I don't think it's the best album of all time, but it's one of their best, so it's in my top 100.
Phish: This band is somewhat in the mold of The Greatful Dead. They had Deadheads, Phish has Phishheads. I've seen them three times, very smelly crowd, both B.O. and pot. They do 25 minute jams that just go, and they're great! They've broken up, but I did manage to buy three shirts, one of which is made of hemp of all things.
The Mars Volta-I think normal people would have to be on acid to enjoy this. I just like it.
Oasis-serious drug users in their day
The Beatles-I'm of the opinion that when The Beatles started, they were simply a pop band, then they discover drugs and got really, really good. That happened right around A Hard Days Night/No Reply era. I love the story from Paul that while filming Help! the scene was for him and Ringo to run from the bomb, they kept running, long after they were supposed to stop, then smoked a doob.
Pink Floyd-musical acid, at least in the early days
Then there's the bands/artists that are just known for doing lots of drugs-Tom Petty, Neil Young, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones (Keith Richards says don't do drugs, Don't do drugs?, Keith, we can't do any more drugs, you did them all, we have to wait until you're creamated then we'll smoke your ashes-Denis Leary), and on and on
I guess for me, music is my drug. At least with pot, I don't like it, I won't do it, but I don't have a major problem if those around me do it, just keep me downwind. I suppose that my experience with music has led to that attitude, because all other drugs I hate the mere existence of them.
But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

As you know many musicians point to drug use and the freedom, creativity, insight...etc....BS....I watched way too many rock bands in the 60's and 70's that were so "smashed" they couldn't ever play their instuments! Jim Morrison was a piece of work in concert, twice I saw him wheeled off the stage cause he had passed out from booze...only to come back on stage 30-40 minutes later with a mean, mean attitude. Jimmy Page would get so crocked he could barely play a simple bar chord, watched him fall into Plant then hit the floor more than once...So who knows....never did anything for my playing!

Anonymous said...

When stoned - I couldn't pour piss out of a boot if the instructions were on heel....let alone work an instrament.

However I'm thinking that my little episode last wknd is going to be my last...it's just not the same anymore!

Anonymous said...

So um....you planning on coming back anytime soon?

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