HIGH TIMES MARIJUANA MUSIC AWARDS @ WETLANDS PRESERVE

High Times Marijuana Music Awards / Wetlands Preserve / Sept. 6, 2001

True stoners attending High Times Marijuana Music Awards (a.k.a. the Doobie Awards) were enlightened by not only the fine herb burning at Wetlands, but also dope-related heavy music resonating loudly through the foggy air past 1 A.M.

Hosted by half-baked offbeat comedian Jackie ‘The Jokeman’ Martling (who spit out lukewarm to totally hysterical one-liners) and directed by HT editor Steve Bloom, sturdy bong awards (assembled by neighboring A-1 House of Trophies) were handed out to winners in several dope-related categories between each 15 minute band segment. Short videotaped music clips of each nominee were projected on a side wall, adding to the ceremonial feel of the presentations.

To get the evening started, New Jersey’s Atomic Bitchwax (Stoner Rock Band of the Year) drifted into blistering, psychedelicized instrumental jams. Led by guitar phenom Ed Mundell (concurrently a member of Monster Magnet), AB really hit stride during a spiffy version of Tommy Bolin’s “Crazed Fandango.” Next, Boston’s sociopolitical metal-punk combo Tree (winners of the Rally Band Award) hauled out a few energetic rants.

Legendary marijuana advocate/ backdated hippie David Peel (whose ‘68 LP Have A Marijuana and ‘72 LP The Pope Smokes Dope were primal countercultural treasures) won the Marijuana In Music Award and truly impressed the audience. Unlike Peel’s off-key solo acoustic meanderings occasionally featured on the Howard Stern Show, he took the stage with a serious band that definitely kicked out the jams. Later on, the band Dope, winners of the Hard Rock Album Award for Felons & Revolutionaries, provided a fistful of Goth-inspired metal that rattled everyone’s frazzled brain cells.

Though I regret missing Jazz veteran Charlie Hunter (Jazz Album of the Year recipient) and the Cannibus Cup Band (due to some intermittent mind-expanding inhalation at the club’s basement level), I faintly heard their sweet sounds wafting through the Wetlands interior.

Undoubtedly, most of the younger crowd was on hand to catch California’s reefer-inspired hip-hop/ punk enthusiasts Kottonmouth Kings. In town to promote their vital second album, High Society, leader Brad Daddy X, rappers D Loc and Saint Vicious, DJ Bobby B, and 6’6″ dancer Pakelika (the Silent Assassin) highlighted the evening with assertive, spontaneous joints, taking home Band of the Year honors.

It was also a pleasure to see in attendance members of HT’s undefeated Central Park-based softball team, the Bonghitters. Happily, I was invited to play three games with the Bonghitters this summer. Unfortunately, I didn’t play enough to receive a team jersey.

Other Doobies Award winners for 2000 included Dr. Dre’s The Chronic 2001 – Album of the Year; Rocker T’s “Sensible Proposition” – Pop Song; Fastball’s The Harsh Light of Day - Best Rock; Cypress Hill’s Skull & Bones – Hip-Hop; Rage Against The Machine’s The Battle of Los Angeles – Rap Metal; Jimmy Page & Black Crowes’ Live at the Greek - Classic Rock; Rocker T’s If You Luv Luv Show Ya Luv - Reggae; Charlie Hunter’s eponymous LP – Jazz; Armand Van Helden’s Killing Puritans - Dance; Grass - Soundtrack; Gov’t Mule – Best Jam Band. Deceased Grateful Dead legend Jerry Garcia received the Lifetime Acheivement Award.

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