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C1!E> 420 feature
flagpoles
Athens Musicians Pick Their Favorite Weed-Smoking Songs
By Various Authors music@flagpole.com
Wieuca
Bryan Rucker (The Norm)
'I'l g-, 420 expedition would be complete without a
JL UV playlist. We invited some of Athens’ finest local
musicians to tell us their favorite tunes to put on when it
comes time to burn one (or two).
Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)
Devin The Dude: “Doobie Ashtray”
This ’02 Devin classic goes over what happens when the
party finally ends. Off of the underground style album (for
the underground style chiefin’) Just Tryiri ta Live, we sug
gest you find company with the nerve (and the funds) to
put the herb in the doobie ashtray this coming Wednesday.
Mad Ace: “Sticky Herb”
This little nugget by local “urban” artist Mad Ace is
pretty upbeat. It’s not a sink-into-your-couch-and-crush-a-
Sublime: “Smoke Two Joints”
“I smoke two joints, a dime apiece, and two the time
before/ I smoke two joints before I smoke two joints/ And
then I smoke two more”
Incubus: “Aqueous Transmission”
“I’m floating down a river, oars freed from their homes
long ago/ Lying face up on the floor of my vessel, I marvel
at the stars and feel my heart overflow”
Red Hot Chili Peppers: ’’Under the Bridge”
“I don’t ever wanna feel, like I did that day/ Take me to
place I love, take me all the way”
Matt Anderegg "
Lifetones: “For a Reason”
Kwazymoto
Deafheaven: “Dream House”
Probably a curious choice and not for the light
of heart, this nine-minute black-metal composi
tion is a transcendent, emotional powerhouse of an
experience. The blast-beat drums, swirling mix of
distorted and clean guitars, angst-filled vocals and heart-
wrenching lyrics all come to true fruition when stoned. In
the final three-and-half minutes, the song collapses into
a triumphant half-tempo finale. As you lie back and soak
in this climactic refrain while lead singer George Clarke
powerfully expresses, “I’m dying/ Is it blissful?/ It’s like a
dream/ I want to dream,” allow yourself to become envel
oped by the most surreal bittersweet emotions imaginable.
Gene Clark: “Strength of Strings”
From his cult masterwork No Other, it is unbelievable
just how much sheer power is packed into this haunting
track. The emotional heft is especially apparent amidst
certain movements of the song where only vocals, mean
dering strings and wandering percussion are present. The
irregular pacing, how it unfolds in such an unpredictable
yet beautiful pattern and the vocal arrangement all serve
to wonderfully complement the deceptively simple yet
profound lyrical content: “Notes that roll on winds with
swirling wings/ Brings me words that are not the strength
of strings.” Still not convinced? Roll a doobie and give it
another go.
Drake: “Hotline Bling”
We love Drake. He’s always dressed in such soft fabrics.
Really, his whole look is just so good right now... He’s got
the beard. He’s bulked up some. I don’t know, he just looks
so inviting and huggable... Like I just want to hold him all
the time and feel his wonderful, cozy self against me. And
his high-end sweats really give off a classic, unassuming
“off-duty uncle” vibe, which we adore. He is great. We really
just love Drake.
A deep grip of dub-slush for any lawn-mowing occasion.
Phelan LaVelle (Shade)
Electric Wizard: “Vinum Sabbathi”
This is so, so sick. I listen to this song walking my dog
around and it always makes me way higher than I already
am. It makes me excited in this very optimistic way. In my
headphones, I pass by people in the street with the bulging
secret that I am deeply lost in another world.
The Grateful Dead: “Candyman”
This is another one of those songs I’ve played so pro
fusely I wonder if there isn’t something wrong with me. But
I’m high, so that’s always something right:). The chorus
literally makes my special parts tingle.
Cassie Chantel
Sun Kil Moon: “Dogs”
Although the song is essentially a list of Mark Kozelek’s
teenage sexual attempts, it is thematically set in the age
and era of teenage weed smoking (and of Pink
Floyd’s “Dogs”)—plus, it sounds great when baked.
Pink Floyd: “Dogs”
Which leads us to the song itself. Of all of PF’s
great Stoner anthems, this is the most Stoner of
all, and was Vic Chesnutt’s personal favorite. Vic
and I bonded by playing this song over and over
in a motel room in St. Louis and smoking multiple
“fatties.”
Neil Young: “Cortez the Killer”
Despite the temptation of going with Neil’s “Roll
Another Number for the Road,” “Cortez” is the true
stoner anthem of all time, as well as possibly my all-
time favorite song.
dcperiftrEfiB
Steely Dan: “Any Major Dude Will Tell You”
Ahhhhhhh sooooo gooood. I believe some of the
dopest lyrics ever written were written by Steely
Dan. When you’re on The Vibe they can filter in like
sunlight through rocks at a very certain time of
day down into a cave and reveal an exquisite room
you’ve never been to before.
Sleep: “Dragonaut”
Again, makes me higher than already. Like, I’m
listening to it and I realize I’m holding my breath.
So heavy. Shade covered this one time and I realized
it’s way hard to play stoner metal like this where it’s
slow and everything repeats so many times. It’s hard
to keep track of because it’s designed to get lost in.
season-of-“X-Files” kind of song, more like a go-to-Kroger-
and-awkwardly-run-into-your-ex-boss song. Looks like
someone’s been blowing on that sativa.
DJ Screw: “Smokin and Leanin”
R.I.P. Screw. This Dirty South gem is best served with a
side of cheese grits and Rohto.
Bob Marley & the Wallers: “Positive Vibration”
My meditation process has to have positive
vibrations, and Bob Marley has one of the strongest
frequencies of all time. I love listening to “Positive
Vibration” when I take off.
Damian & Stephen Marley: “All Night”
When I’m not using the herb for its medicinal powers,
I’m exercising its energetic effects. I love dancing. If I really
want to go crazy, I turn on “All Night.” I consider myself
Rastafari, so reggae and a little dancehall are the main
ingredients to my musical vibes. ©
APRIL 20, 2016 -FLAGP0LE.COM 13