It’s dim and bustling in the mid-level bar at the McMenamins Elks Temple in Tacoma, Wash., on a cold December day. A sold-out crowd begins to swell outside for ’90s psychedelic and shoegaze rock darlings The Dandy Warhols, who are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the formation of their band.
Zia McCabe, Lady of Synth and Bass — with a mean tambourine and sexy vocal — sits across from Wes Abney, reveling in his introduction to the band and their intersection with Cannabis culture. It’s hard to believe that Cannabis-loving music fans are still discovering this band, as drug culture has always been central to The Dandy Warhols, though Capitol Records always pushed them harder.
The band has numerous Cannabis references in their art, from the subtle pot leaf in their logo to bold songs like “Smoke It.” The award-winning rockumentary “Dig!” chronicles seven years with The Dandy Warhols, including highlights like their 2009 performance at the Playboy Mansion for a Marijuana Policy Project fundraiser, which sparked conversations about pregnancy, parenthood and Cannabis.
Zia is settled into our table, food has been ordered, and everyone is nicely stoned.
How has Cannabis influenced your experience as a performer?
I wish I could perform stoned, but I can’t keep track of everything. I’d probably never drink again if I could pull it off, but I become an audience member instead of staying present. I just start watching the show!
Do you have a favorite Cannabis ritual when working on music?
We call it EQing during rehearsals. It means we get stoned halfway through. Starting sober lets us focus. Then we light up and bring a new attitude to what we’re doing. It’s all about getting into cruising altitude before adding the buzz.
Has Cannabis played a role in your creative process for albums?
Definitely. For our latest album, ‘Rockmaker,’ which came out in March 2024, Cannabis helped set the tone. Peter doesn’t use cannabis but the rest of us use it regularly for creative inspiration and deeper introspection even if the music doesn’t sound specifically “Stoney”, it’s still part of our process.
David CentioliDavid Centioli
What’s your take on Cannabis and parenting?
I’ve said it before: Smoking pot makes me a better mom. It reorders my priorities, helping me focus on what’s important, like playing with my kid. It’s better than drinking or taking pills to cope.
Have you faced challenges traveling with Cannabis as a band?
Oh, yes! In France, we got fined the equivalent of three T-shirts for carrying Cannabis on our tour bus. In Arizona, the cops tried to bust us, but their ‘drug dog’ was so fake — it didn’t find anything until they searched manually. We’ve been pulled over in places where it wasn’t legal back then. I had an ounce that wasn’t split up yet, and I had to explain to the authorities that it was my medicine. It’s wild to see how far legalization has come since then.
What’s your view on psychedelics and music? Do you feel Cannabis is integral to psychedelic music?
Absolutely. Cannabis and psychedelics bring out a transcendent quality in music. They enhance the listening experience and inspire creativity in ways other substances can’t. Psychedelics help many people make incredible music — it’s a result that you just can’t replicate. I love how the neo-psychedelic movement is alive and well today.
How has Cannabis culture evolved during your career?
It’s amazing. We’ve gone from being harassed for weed to seeing it sold legally. Kids today turning 21 don’t even know how different it was. The stigma has faded so much, and I think it’s for the better.
Do you think Cannabis helps you connect with your fans?
Definitely. Fans love finding little Easter eggs, like the bong rips hidden in our tracks. It’s been a fun way to subtly celebrate Cannabis culture, and we’ve done it on my radio show too. I sneak bong rips into effects on the mic — it’s part of the vibe. Cannabis and music go hand in hand. When I DJ stoned, I’m so keyed into the vibe, so sensitive to the music. It’s my favorite way to connect with the moment and the people around me.
David CentioliDavid Centioli
What advice do you have for artists balancing Cannabis use and productivity?
Start sober and get your momentum going, then light up. It’s easier to keep going with a fresh perspective than to start something new when you’re already stoned. Get to cruising altitude first, then enjoy the ride!
What’s next for The Dandy Warhols?
For our next record, I want us to treat it like it’s our last. I’d love for us to drop acid together, get weird, and pour everything into the music. It’s about embracing creativity and making something truly transformative.
What’s your favorite Cannabis-friendly place?
I’m from Portland, so I love our dispensary scene here. Places like Electric Lettuce have a great vibe, but even the smaller, no-frills shops have amazing quality. I’ve been spoiled with access to great Cannabis. When in Washington, it’s House of Cannabis.
With that, Zia’s food arrives, and many fans clamor for a moment with the rock-and-canna starlet. Conversations twist and turn as we eventually make our way into the Spanish Ballroom for the show. A packed crowd, from teens to grandparents, danced as The Warhols filled the stage with swirling guitars, neo-psych-pop-rock rhythms, synth-heavy bass and tight vocal harmonies for 90-plus minutes, celebrating their 30th anniversary.
dandywarhols.com | @thedandywarhols
Dandy Warhols have numerous Cannabis references in their art, from the subtle pot leaf in their logo to bold songs like “Smoke It.” Read More
