By James Wright

One listen is all it takes to become a fan of the new Kottonmouth King's creation "High Society". It happened with me and I'm sure if you give it a listen you will find that the King's have created something unique and original in a music scene dominated by copycats and TV created Boy Bands. If you're still not convinced and need proof then please by all means check out the infectious groove of "The Lottery" or "Peace Not Greed." I recently had the pleasure of talking to the King's very own Daddy X and he set the record, and me, straight on the new album "High Society", why life's not a bitch, the Cannabis Cup and why no keys to a hotel room = No problem.

Shoutweb: So can you give us the whole lowdown on the new album "High Society?"

Daddy X: High society is the latest release from the Kottonmouth Kings. We feel it is a progression in our artistic expression on several levels. Production wise this recording was done at one location during the course of a few months time. Royal Highness was done at several locations whenever we could get inexpensive studio time, because it was originally to be released on our own label. As song writers, we have all matured and Richter and D-Loc wrote quite a bit on this recording. The production is much better from working with Phil Kaffel and Mike Kumagi as well. We also had a lot of friends on this one, ICP, Sen Dog, Corporate Avenger, Grand Vanacular, and of course punk rock legend Jack Grisham. Dog Boy from too rude also played an integral part in this recording and he adds so much melody and mature songwriting to the record. We believe all in all this is the recording we wanted to make at this time. We are very happy with it.

Shoutweb: Now with this new release long time member "Saint" has exited the band and is replaced by Richter. Now I know a lot of older fans were pissed with this... What happened?

Daddy X: Sometimes you hit a fork in the road. Saint is working on his own project right now and we wish him luck, he is very talented.

Shoutweb: Any chance of reconciliation?

Daddy X: Never say never.

Shoutweb: What I found kinda weird was that ICP kicked you guys off the tour with them a while back and now they appear on the new album... How did this collaboration come about?

Daddy X: We were removed from that tour for violating their backstage pass policy. They are very strict about security for obvious reasons, someone in our camp violated those policies and we had to answer for our actions. It was nothing personal, I have a long history with ICP dating back to the Humble Gods days. The collaboration was incredible and they really added to that particular song immensely.

Shoutweb: It seems like you're still dealing with kinda like the whole "Life's a bitch and then you die. So fuck the world and let's get high" kind of attitude.

Daddy X: That is not the attitude we are trying to convey. We are trying to express the idea that we all come from a tribal heritage. We are trying to reconnect to our mother the earth. We have had too many friends die or go to prison. We believe life is a gift not a bitch, and we encourage our fans to live life to the fullest in every way which is positive. Live up to your potential, educate yourself, do something with your life, empower yourself. We come from the punk rock ethos of do it your self, we absolutely do not believe that "Life's a bitch and then you die..." Neither do we believe in living life under the "Status Quo" of the one world banking system which utilizes fear and the illusion of ownership as its tools to numb the minds of the masses into a giant taxpaying revenue source for policies and institutions counterproductive to spiritual advancement.

Shoutweb: Now you recently shot a video for the single "Peace Not Greed" and it turned out amazing! What was that like?

Daddy X: Ever since the first day we began writing for this new release, everything has gone so well. We feel so lucky. We got to do this video with punk rock legend Jack Grisham. He and his band TSOL are a huge influence on us. They are part of the reason I got into music in the first place. We also got to do the video with the Corporate Avenger and the ATF which was amazing as well. The Avenger is my brother, and the ATF are comprised of some of our good friends from other bands and stuff. The production quality was incredible, working with Dave Meyers was an honor. Some of those scenes like the torching of the Pakelika banner were intense.

Shoutweb: What do you think of the whole hip-hop scene right now?

Daddy X: It's amazing how hip-hop has had so much commercial success, there are so many talented artists, it's very much like the commercialization of Punk Rock. Of course you get some crap out there, but there is also a lot of amazing stuff as well, you just have to look. There will never be another era like the beginning of hip-hop, but that's not to say there won't be better and better hip-hop either.

Shoutweb: The whole album seems to have been made in one big blaze of weed... What do you think of the legalization movement here in the US?

Daddy X: Of course we are totally behind it. We work with NORML and support High Times. It is a plant. What more can be said. Why don't they make tornadoes illegal if they want to condemn nature. It's totally insane and then when it's legalized for medical use, they ignore the law and keep fucking with people. What a load of shit.

Shoutweb: Are you totally happy with how your label Suburban Noize has grown since you started?

Daddy X: We are very proud of Suburban Noize Records. Although it is such a small label staff wise, we push an incredible amount of work through its office. We are honored to work with the artists on the label: Grand Vanacular, Too Rude, Corporate Avenger, and DJ Bobby B. We all help each other write and record and perform. We take as many Suburban Noize acts on the road as we can, right now we are on tour with the Corporate Avenger and dog boy from too rude is out with us as well. Grand Vanacular came on the whole first part of the tour as well. DJ Bobby B is working on his new record during the drives on the bus. It is an incredible label. We do our stuff through a few select distributors one of which is www.merch.com.

Shoutweb: Now last year you guys played a show at the Cannabis Cup... What was that like?

Daddy X: 48 strains, 7 days, you do the math.

Shoutweb: Any plans on playing something like that again?

Daddy X: Next year we plan on entering the Kings blend on our own special strain and plan on bringing the cup home to America where it belongs.

Shoutweb: You guys have lined a phat tour featuring Zebrahead, Corporate Avenger and Pimpadelic... That is a very strange and diverse roster. How do you think it's going to go over?

Daddy X: I am happy to report that we are about ten shows in and every one [of them] has been sold out and all the bands have gotten a great response. It is amazing to see the peoples faces when the Corporate Avenger is singing "The Bible Is Bullshit," but even more amazing to hear the guys in the Avenger talking to the kids after the show about the lyrics. Kottonmouth King shows are still off the hook. It's the old punk rock show feel without the violence. We love our fans and they love us. We give it everything we have and they reciprocate.

Shoutweb: Now you guys kind of have the whole bad boy reputation with some bands 'cause you tear shit up when you tour... What's the craziest shit that's happened while out on tour?

Daddy X: Pakelika got locked out of his hotel room in Chicago but he had two stripper girls with him so he ended up having sex with both of them right in the lobby, mask and everything! The moral to that story, no key, no problem.

Shoutweb: Anything you'd like to say to fans out there reading this or anyone reading this who should be checking you guys out?

Daddy X: Blaze on! Demand your right to your moments in this holographic gift with no rules, no borders except for those you choose to accept and live by. Please take care of each other and we will see you at the next show. Educate yourself on the history of this country, reconnect to your true tribal heritage whatever that may be and find your place in this amazing universe. Respect all life, it is a gift, it takes a million miracles to give you one moment. Peace not greed.