Big Government by the Sea

Hank Williams III's recent obscenity-laced appearance at the Fiesta del Sol was a topic of discussion at the June 14 Solana Beach City Council meeting. Although no action was taken, some councilmembers suggested that the city should not allow the event to be held next year.

At the council meeting, Fiesta chairman Dan Herzberg said he had been assured by Williams's agent that Williams's hour-long show would be family-friendly. But Williams repeatedly said "fuck" over the P.A. One city councilman said he could hear the obscenities at his home, six blocks away. Another Solana Beach councilman commented on a couple of other bands that performed at the weekend-long event.

"The San Dieguito Alliance for Drug-Free Youth said, 'Don't focus on Hank III,' " said councilman Dave Roberts. "The San Dieguito Alliance said look at other groups. Common Sense [and] Stone Senses, these are drug groups. They have drug references in the music."

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Common Sense lead singer Nick Hernandez responds, "There is not one drug reference in any of our songs on any of our [five] CDs." Ford Motor Company sponsors Common Sense and helped finance their last album. Hernandez believes Roberts's assertion could impact the band's relationship with Ford and other potential sponsors.

Stone Senses sax player Mike Flanagan says, "We have one full-length CD and one five-song EP, and we've never had any drug references in any of our lyrics."

How did Councilman Roberts formulate his "drug group" charge?

"I talked to a number of people. That's what one parent told me who was screaming at me." When told that the bands said they have no drug references in their songs, Roberts said, "That's great to hear. If I was wrong, I will publicly admit it.... I am not a musical person."

At a previous Solana Beach City Council meeting, Roberts asked if there was anything the city could do to keep Showtime's Weeds series off Solana Beach TV sets. (The comedy series is about a single mom who sells pot to support her family.)

Ken Leighton is Fiesta del Sol's talent coordinator.

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