Weird Magazine

Interviews

Cheech Marin & Tommy Chong

WEIRD: Welcome to WEIRD MAG guys!

TC: Thanks for having us!

CM: It’s Nice to Be Had!

WEIRD: How is the relationship with the two of you going?

TC: We’re in a good space.

CM: We are cool with each other.

WEIRD: How did the Idea come to go on tour again?

CM: God TOLD Me one Night!

TC: Yeah, (Laughs), God came to us in the form of a Lawyer!

CM: Actually, it was the Government, they offered us to wipe away $500 Dollars of court mandated Community Service, so that was the final push.

WEIRD: Awsome. So you guys are out serviing the community then?

CM: Out serving the comminuty, Bringing Gods word to the people!

WEIRD: Well we look forward to having you both here in the Valley.

TC: Ohh I love that place!

WEIRD: Have either of you performed here before?

TC: BACK in the DAY YEAH MAN!

CM: Yes we have back in the day we played Mcallen.

TC: You should have seen the Valley then.

CM: That’s when the Valley was the VALLEY!

WEIRD: Does this tour bring back old memories of performing live, like the okd days? Are you both having FUN?

TC: Well think about it. We talk about Dope. People throw stuff on the stage every night. AND we get paid a SHIT LOAD OF MONEY. I think we’re are doing OK! (Laughs)

CM: The only thing is there are no groupies.

TC: Well, we got our own groupies. We’re Married to them!

WEIRD: Well those are the groupies you wanna keep.-Guys, my Dad says he used to open up for both of you at the old CLIMAX CLUB in Hollywood off of Sunset Blvd. in 1970’. Do you remember performing there?

TC:Sure!
Wait was that here in LA?

CM: Absolutly!

TC: Lots of fun. back then.

WEIRD: Dad said you had a hilarious song called Sergent. Sunshine.

CM: Yeah Man! Sgt. Sunshine was a big part of our act then!

Wow! He WAS there if he remembers that song!

Also Earth Wind and Fire used to close out the night back then.

TC: WOW what a trip. Small World!

WEIRD: Do you both even remember the 70’s?

TC: Ohh. Yeah!

CM: Laughs.

WEIRD: How often did you guyssmoke back in the day?

TC: When ever it was offered.

CM:Aaghh, as often as anybody else.

TC: We never bought any thats for sure. (Laughs).

CM: Yeah we lived on the grace of God. (Laughs)

WEIRD: You did so many movies over the eyars. Was there a Favorite one?

CM: I liked UP IN SMOKE

Because it was the first one.

TC: Yeah I think UP IN SMOKE WAS THE MOST COMPLETE ONE WE DID.

WEIRD: Least Favoite?

TC: UP IN SMOKE.

(Both Laugh).

WEIRD: Did either of you have any idea what effect you would have on American Culture back in the days when you were starting out?

CM:Not a Clue really.

TC: You never think of things in Historical terms you know, when your doing it. There was always somthing going on.

It was a time that went by sort of fast. Next thing you know, your old, ya know.

WEIRD: What can Weird Magazine readers expect from this show on March 15th Cheech?

CM: Alot of Energy, and alot of classic bits and alot of new material that we’ve never performed on stage together before. Theres music, salsa dancing, Shelby Tommy’s wife opens up for us. Alot of fun. Ohh, and there’s cotton candy for the kids too.

WEIRD: Tommy we featured an interview with Kevin Booth director of the Film American Drug War which you were featured in a segment of the film. What are your thoughts on the
Drug War in general?

TC: Well the Drug War is kind of grinding to a halt , cause we got a pro Pot guy in the white house now. So you will see alot of gradual changes in the future, and it’s going to be good.
My economic plan for Obama would be to tap into the number one cash crop in America. Theres some money to be made, I mean LEGAL Money, why give it all to the Mexican Drug Lords ya know, just keep it in Ameica.

WEIRD: YEAH, We could probably balance the Budget if we just legalized that plant.

TC: That’s what I’m saying, I mean like every grower or smoker we don’t mind paying 10% tax on the crop.

CM: If you just grow one plant yourself we’d be fine.

WEIRD: Is there any plan for a new movie from you guys?

CM: Yeah. We’re going to do a remake of UP IN SMOKE.

TC: But we can’t tell you much about it cause then you might steal our Idea and make it yourself.

WEIRD:So it sounds like you both are excited about the new Administration getting in office?

CM: Yeah absoultly a new dawn of a new era.

TC: Although I think we have to give Bush credit, cause Obama would not have won had Bush not Fucked Up so bad! I mean if Bush hadn’t Fucked up so damn much it would’ve been President McCain !


WEIRD: Any words of encouragement of what South Texans can expect from your tour here

on March 15th?

CM: They can expect new prosperity and at least a good laugh if they come to see us.

TC: Yes and there children will grown up strong an healthy.

Come and see Cheech & Chong!

WEIRD:Well you fit real well down here in South Texas, kinda like cookies and milk.

CM: OK sounds great come see us!

TC: As long as you got Mexicans there we’ll be there!

WEIRD:Well we look foward to having you both.

TC: Thanks Russell we look forward to hangin out down there.

CM:: Thank You Russell take care!

Stay in the Light!

Interview By:

Russell Dowden