Concert Review

SmokeOut Tour 2009

Words by Danielle Kelly

Photos by Stephen Loh

As the nation buzzed over recent legislation surrounding medicinal marijuana, this served as a harbinger of success for this year’s Smoke Out Tour out in San Bernardino. Hosted by Cypress Hill, the two-day festivus of cannabis offered a sense of community and celebration for those who value the peace pipe. On Friday, bleary eyes and perma-smiles could be found watching movies on the general admission lawn or gawking during Cypress Hill’s showcase of their Black Sunday album, equipped with stage design mimicking the graveyard album cover.

The days were packed full with music and marijuana symposiums to help participants educate themselves on different products, services, and rights regarding their usage of the sticky icky. As King slung cream to the hardworking staff at the Indonesia stage, which hosted Immortal Technique, Kottonmouth Kings, and Living Legends, Stephen took to the Cannabis Cup and Marijuana Expo. The expo showcased everything from weed candy to the CA NORML association, additionally presenting meet and greets with the festival’s artists and discussion panels with comedians, actors, musicians, and activists.

This year’s buzz swirled around the anticipated return of Sublime, with the new lead singer’s reputation preceding him. On the tongues of many throughout the day, the performance swelled with faultless song selections like “Date Rape”, “What I Got”, “Smoke Two Joints” as the new vocals guided like a needle on a favorite old record.
After snapping photos backstage with Cheech & Chong, Cypress Hill took the stage for their second night in a row. Showcasing the Black Sunday album in it’s entirety the evening prior, the LA hip hoppers saluted their favorite herb with a bong friendly greatest hits bonanza on Saturday, featuring “Dr. Greenthumb” and taking a smoke break with a large, party-sub sized joint.

All should bow before Method Man and Redman‘s live performance. This event was the third time I have seen the duo in action and they only grow more ardent, bewitching, and downright impressive over the years. With a new album for 2009, the Wu Tang vets tore it up with the same passion as their first tour. Yet the dynamos warped back to 1994 to remind audiences they’ve been ganja friendly correspondents for almost two decades. Most importantly, let it be known, the very first words out of Redman’s mouth were: “I love ice cream…” I turned to King to make sure I had heard correctly, which, in fact, I had. With how receptive the artists and event staff were to our slinging services, it goes to show that Ice Cream Man effectively caters to the simple pleasures of the masses, especially to those of our stoned brethren.

Many thanks to Yessennia, Alexandra, Shazila, and everyone at Guerilla Union!

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