‘Cauzin Vapors…Legalize It’ tour: big hit

Slightly Stoopid rock out Crossroads KS at Grinders

Thursday, August 12, 2010 was a night to be remembered, if you can. For one night, Kansas City was a little more ‘NORML’ as Collie Buddz, Cypress Hill, and Slightly Stoopid took the stage on a beautiful summer evening. People showed up early and joined those already dining at Grinder’s Pizza. Security was friendly, the beer selection was top-notch, and many fans were full of love.

The Crossroads Concert Series has included some raging nights, especially since it is one of the only places in Kansas City that people under 21 can go to party. The crowd was mixed, with people from the hiphop and jam scene showing up and old-school party people chilling with the under-agers. The vibe was right for the whole evening, leaving many with feelings of peace, love, unity and respect.

National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws (NORML) focuses on the real-world hurdles involved with changing the current gridlock.

Students who use marijuana may lose school loans if drug charges are raised. Learn more at the Students for Sensible Drug Policy website: http://ssdp.org/.

Many are proud of the dedication of bands like Collie Buddz, Cypress Hill, and Slightly Stoopid for putting together an awareness tour and bringing it to the Midwest.

A DJ mixed phat dub, reggae and dancehall for the pre-show and between sets. The sun was still up when Collie Buddz took the stage with a rage. They slammed out some amazing songs with a multitude of singers. The Jamaican front man, Collin Harper, was all over the stage as others came out to front certain songs.

The keyboardist, A Familiar Haze, erupted near the stage as some asserted their emotions. Many shouts went out to the tour and cause, and the crowd was all about it. Collie Buddz, as a group, made a great stage presence and worked well together.

Cypress Hill played second, a big surprise to many people there. The sun was just setting on the other side of Midtown when the bass started. Concert-goers packed the floor. Cypress Hill twisted and turned through their collection of tracks, but avoided playing their classics: “Insane in the Brain,” “Hits from the Bong,” and “I Wanna Get High.”

There were still plenty of inevitable references to “the cause” in their tracks, and more than one time the front man B-Real shouted that he smelled some “really good s#!%!” They pumped the stage even though some people didn’t know the songs by heart.

The band named Slightly Stoopid is on par with the Kotton Mouth Kings and could possibly be the all-time winner of “mostest stoopidest” band name ever. Their music defied thatfirst impression, although the subject matter was predictable.

They closed the night and chilled things out from the hopping Cypress vibe. They combine punk rock energy with dub and jam to form a unique sound. Originally signed to the Sublime label, Skunk Records, Slightly Stoopid’s music carries some of that old California flavor in it.

Unfortunately, the message was only to legalize pot; the bands never took the time to quote any scientific facts on why legalization should occur.

To give credit, bands did mention that certain things come from the Earth and others do not. Their attempt was to reason against wars on natural substances. Maybe NORML would have said more on the subject if given the stage.

Ultimately, the Crossroads is not a bunk venue. It is almost like a miniature Sandstone Amphitheater nestled in the city with better food and beer. The parking is free, and people say that the parking lot is packed both before and after a show. Arrive early for your next show and tell everyone about this article and the all-ages venue.

Don’t miss these upcoming shows: George Thorogood and Eddie Shaw on Thursday, August 19; Big Head Todd and the Monsters on Friday, August 27; Pat Green on Friday, September 3; and Sound Tribe Sector 9 with Ghostland Observatory on Sunday, September 5.

cwhite@unews.com