Well here we are getting ready for the huge Denver celebration of 4/20. I am not sure who made this the official Marijuana holiday but I will take it. Even though I am not a huge smoker I am definitely a supporter of the fine green plant and its magical powers. Now that Colorado has joined the ranks of legalized medicinal marijuana, 4/20 celebrations are epic. This of course is great for me as a rock n roll lover, a writer, and lover of a great party no matter what the cause. There is always great music and plenty of debauchery for material in my writing, whether it is my own actions or others in their wasted state. So this Wednesday if you are planning on going out to celebrate the great Weed with your bong in hand stop by Pete’s Monkey Bar for Frogs Gone Fishin’ with Whiskey King Coalition. I guarantee it will be a smokin good time!
While I sit here at my desk writing this I am listening to Jason Isbell’s smooth as butter voice on the Drive by Truckers Goddamn Lonely Love and it sparks the thought, years ago I would have not been caught dead listening to this song or anything else even remotely in the Country genre. As I look at this mornings rotation which includes Son Volt, DBT, Lucero, Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, Blind Melon, and Brute I realize how much my musical tastes have evolved over the years. When I say over the years I mean from 1980 to today. Now of course I was only six years old in 1980, but it was the year I officially knew I was in love with rock n roll and that I would be for ever. My best friend in 1980 in Smyrna, Georgia was also six and had an older brother who I think was a junior or senior in high school. My friend and I would spend hours in that bedroom playing all of his older brother’s albums, tapes, and eight tracks over and over. There were posters of Rush, Farrah Fawcet, and Corvettes on the walls and on the record player was Van Halen’s first album (which I consider their best), KISS ALIVE, and the Scorpions. I can remember staring at the KISS ALIVE album for hours almost as if I was under some sort of rock n roll spell. Over the next few years with my friend I was introduced to the likes of Little Feat, Black Foot, AC/DC, and Motley Crue. All of which are still some of my favorite bands today. Looking back over the years I have had my phases of bands and genres that I was stuck in for a certain amount of time. From the Doors and Led Zeppelin, R.E.M. (Which I hate now with a passion) and Drivin and Cryin’, Guns n Roses, Alice n Chains and the whole grunge scene, eventually leading to the Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, and other various hippie jam bands to my now present full on addiction to Outlaw Country and their offspring for the last six years. With the exception of R.E.M. and a few others most of these bands still make it into the rotation and of course I will not miss a home town Widespread Panic show. Maybe losing your rock n roll virginity at a young age is much like getting drunk at a young age causing almost certain addiction later in life. I can fully admit that I, Erin Drello, am a certified Rock n Roll junkie, and if you are reading this your probably are too. I can only recommend playing your favorite band really loud and getting to a live show as quick as possible to get your fix.
GO SEE LIVE MUSIC
