It was Bill Hicks, who, in a moment of unrelenting truth-telling, said something that combined two of my favorite things in life: music and drugs. Check it out …
I think drugs have done some good things for us. I really do. And if you don’t believe drugs have done good things for us, do me a favor. Go home tonight. Take all your albums, all your tapes and all your CDs and burn them. ‘Cause you know what, the musicians that made all that great music that’s enhanced your lives throughout the years were real fucking high on drugs.
I’d also point out that, in most cases, these artists not only created their art while high, but unapologetically owned that messaging, too. From Cab Calloway’s “Reefer Man,” to Black Sabbath’s “Sweet Leaf,” drugs – particularly cannabis – are about as integral to the creation of popular music as Les Pauls and Baby Grands.
To be sure, most of my favorite musicians are (and were) unashamed weed smokers. Willie Nelson, David Bowie, Ozzy Osbourne, Miles Davis. I don’t think I can name a single musician I like that hasn’t enjoyed the plant. One in particular is Brent Hinds, the former guitarist of one of the most intense metal bands to ever exist, Mastodon.
He was a hurricane
I had the privilege of meeting Hinds in 2004 while I was on tour with Mastodon and Slayer. Having been a long-time fan of Hinds’ magnificent guitar prowess, I was stoked to share the stage with him. And while we didn’t become BFFs, I had the opportunity to swap stories with Brent, who I found to be quite humble and really, just an all-around fascinating guy.
Smelling of weed, alcohol and the kind of body odor that comes with …
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Author: Jeff Siegel / High Times
