Passionate Cannabis activists who are determined and committed to breaking down restrictive and uninformed cannabis laws using the power of music, art, and education. Let me introduce you to “Stoney-Doom” a band from Topeka, Kansas, who are passionate about advocating for better local cannabis laws through their Doom Metal music.
AcCoRdInG tO wIkIpEdIa…
“Doom metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much “thicker” or “heavier” sound than other heavy metal genres. Both the music and the lyrics are intended to evoke a sense of despair, dread, and impending doom.”
Who, What, Where?
Based in the state capital of Topeka, Kansas, Stoney-Doom is a Stoner/Doom Metal band advocating for cannabis law reform. With weed-themed antics that would make Cheech and Chong proud, Stoney-Doom has already sparked up gigs with major acts such as Bongzilla, Kottonmouth Kings, Radkey and Early Moods . Though the message is serious, Stoney-Doom delivers it with a humorous, satirical twist.
Origins of Stoney-Doom Metal Band & Cannabis Activism
What began as a self-driven crash course into creating and performing original music has evolved into an innovative and daring call to action for fans of music and cannabis enthusiasts alike. This project was conceptualized during my college years after growing bored with cover jam bands. Three key factors combined brought this band into existence.
1. An itch to write, record and even perform original music
2. A strong passion and desire for the freedom of Cannabis
3. A lifelong love of the incredibly popular and widely-adored tv show, Scooby-Doo.
In an effort to dip my toes in the water and stumble my way through the entire process of writing and recording an original music album, this band/project initially served as a silly and carefree way for me to experience the process and learn how to grow as a musician/artist. So after about 2-3 years of writing a handful of songs and bouncing ideas around with a few close friends… and after COVID just about wiped out the motivation of everyone… it often seemed like it could be another project I would give up on and hide away on the shelves of my mind. But my passion and desire to see this project through wouldn’t let me quit!
We recorded from 2018 to 2022, and as I mentioned, COVID just about took the drive out of us, but alas, we persevered… We came up with 4 original songs and 1 cover song, which in total featured over a dozen good friends of mine, contributing various instruments and sounds including drums, bass, guitar solos, even bong hits and coughing fits!
After finishing the album, the next big goal was to perform these songs for one big debut show with all of the homies and guest features… It didn’t quite pan out that way, but what developed was something even better and more consistent. The other couple of key members of the group convinced me to form a steady live band and see where things go in pursuing several live gigs… which has led to this never-ending journey we’re on now! A couple of years into this project, and with over a dozen gigs under our belt already, we continue to grow and come up with more fun ideas to try with this project. At this point, we’re going strong and having a ton of fun expressing ourselves and meeting like-minded people, so we no longer have an end strategy in sight… Perhaps we’ll consider hanging it up whenever Kansas does finally legalize… but then again… perhaps we’ll continue to fight for all of the other people around the world who continue to be oppressed by harsh and unjust cannabis laws.
-Shwaggy Roaches | Founding member of Stoney-Doom!
Living at the Intersection of Doom Metal and Cannabis Activism in a Conservative State: What’s the Response Been Like?
The people around us—our family, our close friends, and our supporters—give us as much support as they possibly and comfortably can, but we can sense the common sensation of fear and paranoia wherever we take this project. The laws are so harsh and unjust that so many people have been conditioned and forced into silence, forced into compliance… and for what? Because we’ve been lied to, deceived, and manipulated for decades. When does it end? As history seems to suggest… it ends when The People say it ends!
How do you integrate cannabis and your message into your art?
FREE THE LEAF!
Live and let live.
End tyranny and END PROHIBITION.
Power to the People.
What is the overarching message that Stoney-Doom aims to spread?
We are constantly looking for similar businesses and organizations to support and partner with to strengthen our network and amplify our intentions. We personally subscribe to convenient email templates provided by organizations such as NORML so that we may quickly and easily send emails to the proper legislators. We also subscribe to various media outlets and newsletters to keep up with a lot of the national cannabis news and updates (outlets such as Marijuana Policy Project and Americans for Safe Access). We call upon everyone to join us in doing some of these same tasks! Every voice counts!
If you are interested in what we are doing, a fan of Stoner/Doom Metal, a cannabis enthusiast yourself, or all of the above – we invite you to follow our social media profiles, share our content and message, come out to our live shows, chat with us, buy merch… any of those things! Honestly, we don’t want your money! We just want your support, and we want to right what has been wronged. In fact, we have already donated over $200 to a local cannabis advocacy organization that has been doing the real work within the state house for several years.
Many people are still in prison or have criminal records for non-violent drug-related offenses. There is still a lot of work to be done on several topics… Join us! We must speak up and make our voices heard. We are strong in numbers, and the tide IS turning! Let’s FIGHT for our freedom!
