Kottonmouth Kings

Sometimes, the world just has a way of working out. Like how this year, April 20 happened to fall on a Tuesday—the day new albums are released—enabling Kottonmouth Kings to debut their latest full-length, Long Live the Kings, on 4/20. It’s only fitting for a group whose previous records include Royal Highness, High Society, Rollin’ Stoned and Fire It Up. (To say nothing of their four-volume Hidden Stash series.) But these Orange County dudes aren’t only about bong-fueled party anthems, just check out their most famous tune, “Suburban Life,” from the Scream 2 soundtrack way back in 1997: “the American dream was a pack of lies,” they sorrowfully declare. Deep stuff. Sure, a verse later, they proclaim, “there’s not enough bud for the Kottonmouth Krew,” but to thine own smoked-out self be true. They’ll be appearing in Tempe along with Suburban Noize homeboys Hed PE and Big B, plus hometown rapper Intrinzik. The event is billed as a “4:20 Celebration,” even though it’s happening three days after the annual weed holiday—insert your own “potheads are frequently late and/or lazy” joke here. They’re also intensely loyal, accounting for the sizable cult fanbase that have followed the Kings for more than a decade (and are willing to celebrate 4/20 any day of the year).

Fri., April 23, 6:30 p.m., 2010