Fight For Your Right.

I came, I saw, I got High. This was the consensus amongst the thousands of people this past Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, at the 21st Annual Boston Freedom Rally. At high noon, we potheads began converging onto Boston Common to give our support to MassCann/NORML, work on getting pot legalized, and watch amazing bands such as Onyx, Planetoid, Amber Ladd, Dj Slim, Superpower, and Termanology. We also came to smoke a lot of weed. I have attended the Boston Freedom Rally for the past five years, and this year was definitely the best. That means next year someone will have to give out free weed just to top it.

One part of the equation of the awesomeness of this year's rally is the Massachusetts law of cannibus decriminalization. Saturday marked the second year that the MassCann sponsored festival operated with a little less worry. Under this proposition states that being caught with up to an ounce of marijuana is punishable with a $100 fine. Under the former law, violators faced up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $500, and the listing of the offense on their criminal record.So everyone was a little more relaxed when smoking in front of the police. Only 34 people were given the $100 citations. Of course I did see one asshole park ranger take some people's pipes away. He even broke apart someone's blunt right in front of him. Despite that, everything was groovy.

Another important factor was the folks who helped organize the event and some of the speakers who came out to show us the way to the promise land. There were the generals of the revolution such as Mike Cann, Scott Gacek, Keith Saunders, Danny Danko of High Times Magazine and the King of Pot Michael Malta. Their day to day battles are a key source of putting together the Freedom Rally and helping us make cannibus legal. Also out to shout some sense into the masses was Jim Fowler, Daddio, and Stacia Cosner of the organization, Students For A Sensible Drug Policy. Green-Rainbow gubernatorial candidate Jill Stein even took the stage to show support of the cause. Of course I can't forget about my brother Dex Ter who held it down and took no prisoners as MC of the main stage.

The great performances are key part of the Boston Freedom Rally. The previous twenty years brought us some unforgettable memories, and this year did not disappoint. First all I have to say is Onyx. Fuckin' Onyx showed up and blew everybody's mind. It's not very often you get to see living legends perform, for free.

Everyone was highly impressed with Grammy award nominee Tracy Bonham. Planetoid absolutely ripped a hole in reality during their set. DJ Slim provided us with an anthem for the movement with his song "Legalize It". As cover bands go, Age Against the Machine rule. Then there were something like twenty other acts that brought their A game.

So a word to all of you patriots reading this. You can't save the world with a concert, but you can save the world by voting.

Bent Knee unveils "Styrofoam Heart"

When I got word that Courtney Swain and Ben Levin of Johnny Stranger had started a new project called Bent Knee, I was intrigued. From knowing these two individuals for their musical talent and for being extremely silly bastards, I couldn't wait to hear what they would come up with. So I went to the Bent Knee website (www.bentkneemusic.com) and checked out their first single Styrofoam Heart. I have to say, it's really fuckin' good.

Courtney begins the tale with a simple piano melody and chilling vocals that are normally found on the hills of Iceland. Then Bent Knee kicks it up a few notches when Ben and the gang bust down the door like the Kool Aid man. You get a musical workout with Ben Levin's sexy guitar playing accompanied by Riley Hagan on bass and Tyler LeVander on drums. The last couple minutes of the song is a cool down period to calm your heart rate down. Eric Law on cello helps put a dark undertone to the song that gives it the sauce to make your mouth water. They finish you off so well you need a cigarette. Styrofoam Heart is perfect for everybody, from the girls jamming out in their cars to the freshman doing heroin in their college dorms.