Members of Flotsam and Jetsam and Shadows Fall Get Into the Weed Business

It’s no secret that nine out of ten metal musicians need second sources of income, on account of the fact that for some reason Top 40 radio won’t play music with blast beats and screaming (pussies). Obviously the type and quality of these jobs tends to vary, depending on the musician’s level of education and the business’ willingness to let that musician take X amount of time off every year to go tour (if they’re even bothering to tour).

That said, I think it goes without saying that Flotsam and Jetsa’s Michael Spencer and Jason Bittner (also of Shadows Fall fame) now officially have one of the best “day jobs” available.

According to Metal Insider, the duo have opened a medical cannabis dispensary, Revolution Emporium, in Ukiah, CA.

After explaining that, yes, money concerns were the impetus for opening the dispensary, Bittner explains to MI that he and Spencer also plan to use it to help out other musicians in need:

And some of those music industry connections are actually providing the co-op’s inventory. “We want to provide musicians an outlet,” Bittner says. “If you’re a legal caretaker in California, you have a garden, and you’re looking for somewhere to get rid of your garden, come to us. We’re willing to work with that. We’re willing to work with any other musicians that have anything edible, oils, all that stuff.” So far, they’ve gotten edibles and some gardening from musicians in Los Angeles who prefer to remain nameless for now. Flotsam and Jetsam are off the road more often than they’re on it, and Bittner says he hopes that once R.E. is established, they’ll be able to hire musicians that are in between tours to temporarily work at the co-op as well.

I actually know almost nothing about dispensaries, ’cause here in New York we still live like un-evolved, knuckle-dragging cretins. But this all sounds cool to me! I guess ultimately their success or failure will come down to the quality of their product. At the very least, we know they’ll have awesome music playing inside.

You can read more of Bittner’s comments about Revolution Emporium, and see photos of the joint (pun intended), here. People in or near Ukiah: it’s open now! Go buy some weed. Let us know how it is.