The Burning Question

High on Fire dispels the myth of the “stoner rock” label

By Tyler Davidson

Born in the Bay Area near the end of the 20^th century, High on Fire (featuring ex-Sleep guitarist Matt Pike on the axe and the mic, Jeff Matz on bass and Des Kensel on the skins) has spent a decade as one of stoner rock’s leading acts. CULTURE recently caught up with Kensel to talk injuries, the Sabbath-inspired genre and his thoughts on the plant that seems to be most commonly associated with him and his musical co-conspirators.

There was a longer rest period than usual, so to speak, between Death Is This Communion and Snakes for the Divine. Why is that?

The last two records, at least for me, have been difficult. Before recording Death Is This Communion, I had to have surgery. Had to have neurosurgery in my neck, so that was one reason it took so long for that one, then after doing that whole touring cycle, I had to have arthroscopic surgery on my shoulder, so that definitely held things up, and also I had a kid, so [I’ve been] recovering from surgery, and trying to juggle my son and also a practice schedule . . . This record was definitely a challenge to get finished, but once it was done, we were definitely all very happy with it and it was, in a way, a big burden off our backs. Now it’s time to just push it and play it.

What do you think are some misconceptions people might have about High on Fire?

I know we got thrown into that “stoner rock” genre a lot, maybe we still do a little bit, but not quite as much. I know stoners, people that like stoner rock might like us, but I think we’ve kinda moved on from that. Personally . . . god, I don’t know. You caught me on that one.

What does the phrase “stoner rock” mean to you?

I think when we first started playing, especially in the Bay Area, in San Francisco, that kind of music was getting popular, and there was a lot of bands coming out with that certain sound, so maybe they just called it “stoner rock.” A lot of bands like Men of Porn or Acid King or Suplex, all these bands in the late ’90s that were on Man’s Ruin, and we were doing touring together. I mean it was cool, it was great, we got thrown into that, especially because of the Sleep thing with Matt, you know, it was a good stepping stone for us. But I think five records out now, and the progression of the sound of High on Fire, I don’t wanna say we’ve gotten out of stoner rock or whatever . . . I’d like to think of ourselves as a band like Motörhead, where all different types of . . . not to sound cheesy, but all different types of rockers like us. Punk kids, skater kids, old metal dudes and what have you.

So how would you define “stoner rock”?

I think, like I said, [bands in] the late ’90s, even bands like Nebula, Fu Manchu, Kyuss and Sleep, High on Fire, all these bands that I mentioned coming out and just having this late ’70s/early ’80s feel, like say the artwork or even the sludgy sound. A Fast Times at Ridgemont High kind of feel, a Spicoli kind of thing or something, you know? [Laughs] But whatever. It is what it is and we’re doing what we do.

What are your thoughts on the use of cannabis?

To me, it’s fine. I don’t see the problem with it, medicinally or whatever, whether it helps people or not. Maybe mentally it helps them, whatever. It is what it is. I don’t see the problem with it, so I’m all for it. It gets my vote.

Do you have any friends or family that use cannabis to medicate?

I’ve got lots of friends that use it.

Does the band use it?

We’ve all used it at some point. I’m not really a big stoner myself too much anymore, but whatever. It’s there.

www.highonfire.net.

Sweet Leaf

High on Fire frontman Mike Pike used to be in a band called Sleep that clearly wasn’t shy about the power of THC. In 1999 the band dropped the album Jerusalem—which was re-released in 2003 with a new name (Dopesmoker) and a new format (only two tracks with the first titular song spanning over an hour).