Weed crazy: Celebrating 420 with Begit N Frenz

I think I missed 4/20 this year (I’m writing this in 2022). That happens after one has quit the marijuana—because one has smoked all the marijuana.

Hello, my name is Sean, and I’m weed crazy.

I remember very little about the lead photo except I think we went to the NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) pot legalization march in downtown Cleveland. Perhaps on Public Square? I put my idol—the queer drug-loving writer William S. Burroughs—on the sign. “Mind your own business.” Burroughs’ quote always cut to the heart of this issue for me.

Why was sweet Jay Karpinski of Cleveland Post-Rock band The Six Parts Seven hanging with a bunch of reprobates like me, Melita Katanovic and Beckett Warren on this morning? I have no idea but it’s lovely to see his face in these old photos from 2002.

“Weed Crazy” b/w “Losing At The Drug Game” was, of course, the Begit N Frenz 7″ single we recorded at The Invisible City, out front of which someone (Ian Colbert?) snapped this photo (you can see the CLE skyline and the Society Bank / Key Tower in the background). Or perhaps Sarah Wido took this photo. I’m almost certain Sarah processed the drugstore disposable camera pix for me (thank you, Sarah).

Did we make it to the parade? Are the photos of Beckett and and Joe Bernard performing as Begit N Frenz from the same day/evening? Will Dorny ever come home!?

Beckett says: “We got stoned and watched [Alejandro Jodorowsky’s] Holy Mountain and were late, but accidentally ended up right at the front of the Weed March.” Oh yeah, that’s right!

Perhaps you can help me with more details? Love + miss you all.

Postscript: I discovered the original poster for the show (see below)! Turns out the Grog Shop photos are from Wednesday, May 4, 2002. Besides Begit N Frenz, the bill also included the Fleshies from Oakland and Bongzilla. So, the show was not the same day as the NORML march, which was later in the month. Hmm. The more you know. I blame the weed!