Ryan Foley sports his varsity football jersey every Friday as he walks the halls of Prairie Ridge High School. With his name in all caps and a number 14 largely printed in the center, he’s as good as a stereotypical high school jock goes. But if asked to remove his head phones to take a listen for yourself, it’s not Jay-Z that will be bumping through the speakers. And if asked to remove his jersey you surely won’t find an Abercrombie t-shirt hidden beneath. This individual has completely different interests.
Tye-dye, authentic moccasins, long hair, Grateful Dead t-shirts, and love for jam band music is becoming quite prevalent these days, due to youngsters love for the hippie culture. Students attending Crystal Lake high schools have taken a liking to this hippie demographic, helping bands such as Umphrey’s McGee, Phish, and The Disco Biscuits make their name across the Midwest.
“Jam music is where it’s at,” said Foley, Prairie Ridge football player and a self-considered hippie. Hand gestures expressed his enthusiasm, exposing thick hemp bracelets around each of his wrists. He brushed his long hair out of his eyes. “The atmosphere at those shows is awesome. Just non-stop dancing all night long.”
Jam music has been around for decades, starting with The Grateful Dead in the 1960’s. It is rehearsed as well as improvisational, and can include many types of music all in one. Funk, psychedelic rock, progressive fusion, and jazz fusion are all types of music that have helped jam bands create their sound. Jam music is one of the basic fundamentals of the modern day hippie.
“Sometimes an entire week is devoted to following one band,” said Shannon Yorke, a senior at Crystal Lake South High School and wearing a homemade tye-dye t-shirt. “If Umphrey’s is playing a show in Chicago one night, and then in Milwaukee the next, why not make a road trip out of it?”
But what do these concerts have to offer other than live music that is pleasing to the hippie ears? In many cases, an abundance of any type of drug imaginable. Teens apart of this culture are being exposed to a world of drugs by attending these concerts, and causing drug use to target this specific group of people. However, to those willing to take part, drugs aren’t necessarily a big deal, but in fact, a necessity.
According to some teenage hippies, experiencing different drug induced highs is all a part of the process. One may go as far to say that a jam band concert wouldn’t even be enjoyable if they hadn’t taken something beforehand. Consequently, concerts like these are a drug dealer’s jackpot.
“Why do you think there are so many drugs being taken at these shows?” said Carolyn Dobbe, a fellow hippie and avid concert attendee, dread locks almost reaching her waist. “Drug dealers are handing them out like candy.”
Hippies today like to have fun and enjoy what they can by any means. They are passionate about music, they enjoy mind-altering experiences, and showering everyday isn’t always needed. But whatever happened to free love? Although this hippie culture seems to be a fast growing trend, some have skeptical viewpoints.
“Hippies are just people who think they can do a lot of drugs and have no responsibilities,” said Matt Hefferin, 20. “Most of them don’t even have values of a true hippie. They just create everything they claim to hate.”
In the 1960’s, hippies were very environmentally oriented and had strong political views. They protested and rallied, and fought for what they believed in. Many were also vegetarians or vegans. Now it seems as though hippies in this day and age care less about the environment, and have weaker views and values. Some say that modern day hippies’ love for music has replaced these priorities.
“Hippies nowadays don’t care about the environment,” said Rodney Hisel, 56. “I consider my son a complete hippie. But that‘s just because he listens to the same music I did in the 60‘s and chooses to shower only once a week. He doesn‘t give a hoot about trees or slaughtered animals.”
Subcultures come and go, and some stay forever to keep changing. In 10 years, who knows what the general guidelines of hippie culture will be? Maybe hippies won’t exist at all. But for now they’re still here, and are continuing to be proud of what they stand for, even if others have their doubts.
Sources:
Ryan Foley
4/11/2008
In-Person
(815) 713-5015
Shannon Yorke
4/11/2008
In-Person
(815) 388-3657
Rodney Hisel
4/11/2008
In-Person
(815) 236-5729
Carolyn Dobbe
4/14/2008
In-Person
(815)236-8483
