Don't Fear the Reefer- An Interview with Pine Box

by Preston Peet

Guy Smylie- singer of Pine Box
photo Preston Peet

August 6, 2002

I had the distinct pleasure of seeing and hearing the band Pine Box play a few blazing sets at the Million Marijuana March 2002 in NYC. They are a shining example of my own favorite kind of music- hard and heavy "stoner rock". As the NYC-based band notes on its website, "Think of Pine Box in the hypothetical- like if Black Sabbath jammed with Tito Puente and Cheech and Chong wrote the lyrics..." The vocalist is clear and sharp, there's thumping, rumbling bass, wicked guitar, and driving, latin sounding drums and percussion. Espousing the messages "Marijuana for the Masses" and "High Times for All", Pine Box is not ashamed to admit they smoke pot. As a matter of fact, they want everyone to know it, insisting on wearing their colors right out in the open, writing and singing songs extolling the pleasures and virtues of marijuana. Pine Box lead singer and founder Guy Smylie graciously took time out of putting together Pine Box's debut album, Pack 'em Deep, to answer some questions about the band, the music, and their message. After reading this, be sure to visit Pine Box's website to hear some of their music for yourself, and drop them a line. This is a great band, well worth seeing, hearing, and inviting to your hometown.

Pine Box at work

Preston- How long has Pine Box been a band?

Guy Smylie- The core of the band formed fresh out of high school but was put on hold for a few years while we all pursued other projects. We got back together in 2000 and started jamming, adding percussion and organ to the tunes….it felt good so we stuck to it and here we are in 2002.

What are the names of your band members, and the instruments they play?

Guy Smylie – Lead Vocals/Percussion
The Great Gazoo – Bass
Dirt Weed Dave – Guitar
Bud Greenleaf – Drums
Rev. Luvjoy – Vocals/Percussion
Stony Curtis – Hammond Organ
Ganja Boy – Conga/Timbales
Fat Kid & Don Ron– Lights/Crew

*ALL NAMES CHANGED TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT

Who writes the music? Is it a collaborative effort, or does one person take most of the blame?

Everything that is available on the Demo CD or the web so far is my material (words/music/arrangement). As of late we have been writing a ton of new material together which is cool. Originally I had a vision of what the band should sound like and my friends did a great job of exceeding those expectations - now it is up to all of us to determine our musical destiny.

What does the name Pine Box mean? What's the significance of that?

Besides the macabre reference for the hard rock edge, we called our one-hitter/dugout/bat the “Pine Box”. It’s cryptic and cool when you say to a friend “Did you bring the Pine Box?” and their parents have no idea….

You guys are a blatantly pro-marijuana band, reflected in your look and your music. Why? Have any of you had trouble with the law over pot or other substances currently frowned upon by prohibitionists? Or is it simply because you see the injustices being carried out in the name of a War on Some Drugs?

This band started as your typical angst hard rock band with only the Latin twist…. that’s kind of why it fell apart at first. I realized after a few months of hard work that I could not truthfully represent out front by singing negative, depressing lyrics about pain and suffering - day in and day out. I also didn’t really enjoy the song writing process from a vocalist's side, that is, until I decided to just be myself. I am an everyday weed toker since 1987 and I realize that when I sing about pot and its positive influence on my life I am making a bold statement from my heart (which is what I really wanted to do with my music in the first place). Regarding Johnny Law, luckily the Box has not had much trouble although I’ve been popped twice for possession (only misdemeanors). At gigs, we do NOT encourage people to get into confrontations with the cops because we know too many people who have been fucked by the System and the government’s convoluted War on Drugs.

Do you play other pro-pot benefits at all, or have you in the past? Any plans to do so in the future? Future gigs of any kind coming up?

We will play any Ganja Benefit from Maine to Virginia, New York to Ohio. We were scheduled to play the Extravaganja on 4/20 this year in Amherst but right before we were supposed to go on the cops shut it down. The Million Marijuana March was our first major Rally but we hope to play MANY more….also any college parties where people can get down with the message would be awesome. Presently we are recording our CD but we expect to be on the road soon (we have some friends in San Francisco that want to see us soon). Anyone can e-mail info@pinebox.com to get on the gig list and receive updates.

A quick breather for the band

You have a new album coming out, yes? What's it called, and is it also pro-pot?

We will ALWAYS be Pro-Pot, Hard, Latin Rock – nothing less. The New CD is called "Pack Em’ Deep" (working title) and contains sonically improved versions of most of the songs on the demo (which I recorded in my apartment in New York City) and a few new tunes. It’s sounding great and I can’t wait to finish. We are looking to do something with High Times or Cannabis Culture for pressing and distribution….check the website (www.pinebox.com) for updates.

What would you say personally to Asa Hutchinson and John P Walter, the DEA head and Drug Czar respectively, if you had the chance to sit down and have a rational discussion with them, what would you tell them? Beyond the possible angry cursing, which would be understandable, and even forgivable perhaps.

WAKE UP, WAKE UP, WAKE UP – I still find it hard to believe that the prohibitionist rhetoric regarding pot has survived this long. I’d tell them that the Drug War is being fought by a minority and should be abandoned. If they legalized pot for individuals who could grow two or three plants, the whole trafficking/dealing system would fail. Most people loath scoring a bag of weed and would much rather stash a plant in their closet. Unfortunately the seizure laws scare citizens half to death and they are forced to the black market for their goods. Allow John Q. Public to have a personally grown stash and there is no need to deal….
I have noticed lately that Asa has been getting a lot of press (doing talk shows and interviews) but he usually looks pretty stupid when the interviewer explains many examples of how meaningless and expensive the "War on Drugs" really has become.

Do you feel that by using music to get out your message about marijuana is working, that you can reach people and the way they think through the music?

Music is a great communicator, throughout time, especially to young people. If Pine Box can reach kids today and teach them that Marijuana is no more a scourge to society than Nicotine is then we have succeeded. We need to continue evolving our society. Seeds sewn in the 60’s are in bloom and we need to be conscious of how far we have come…and how far we must still go.

What exactly is your message about pot, come to think of it?

Don’t Fear the Reefer. It can be a powerful tool in your evolution as a Human Being. If more kids partied with Weed (rather than booze and other drugs) the world would be a safer, kinder, gentler place (less traffic deaths, too). People need to recreate from reality and the truth is that pot is the least harmful of ALL the drug escapes (including Nicotine and Alcohol). The Band also encourage sharing ;-)

Sharing is Good

Do you think art and music are important tools in reaching the consciousness of the common people, to changing attitudes? Or do you think that some art forms scare the prohibitionist minded type folk away? If it does, does the attraction of art and music to certain segments of society outweigh the possible marginalizing of other segments?

Art and Music usually lead the pack in impacting people’s awareness of issues. Imagine the 60’s and 70’s without the vivid soundtrack…without the music, so much would have been easily forgotten (as only a newscast or headline). There is no doubt that every movement needs a “voice”. The music of today will change attitudes for the next generation much like the music of the 60’ has shaped today. Also, there will always be scared people in our society. People who will NEVER accept the fact that these times are a changing….so you can not look at their revulsion as having any weight.

Do you find many bands today actually saying something with their music, or do you find that the ones who do say something meaningful just don't get the airplay and major label backing?

I love a lot of current bands (signed and unsigned) – musically. I like some of their messages and some I just can't get down with. You just know it when a new band comes along that is actually doing something original with their heart behind it – not just for the sake of being original or shocking. I have tons of respect for anyone who gets out there and puts a piece of their soul onto a record. Unfortunately, if all you do is listen to the radio then you’d just hear the same shit over and over….and that is what radio is PAID to do. I love the internet and the sites like mp3 and garage band because it gives everyone a voice….

What are some other bands you know of promoting a pro-drug reform message, or even political/socially conscious music that you like, respect, or even admire?

There is a band in Norwalk, CT called “Rezin” who we are friends with and who have the same message and attitude. They are Hardcore but their shit is cool. There are a TON of hip hop artists that are breaking ground on the pro-weed scene…and making money. I see so many rock bands in High Times but unfortunately they really don’t PROMOTE it in their music (they’re usually too wrapped up in their own selves to go there). Also, I think some of them are afraid they’ll “alienate” some of their fans. That’s kind of why I started Pine Box right there on the edge…to prove a point and provide a voice. On the political tip I have respect for The Beastie Boys, (former) Rage Against the Machine, basically any act (regardless of genre or success) that takes the time to sink a little back into the “community consciousness”.
I'd also like to add that through the internet (and sites such as drugwar.com) we are growing a community of socially conscious individuals who CAN and WILL make a difference! We must be supportive, vigilant and patient but change will inevitably come! Thanks for this opportunity to speak my mind and long live PINE BOX!

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