Kottonmouth Kings playing tonight

Kottonmouth Kings just dropped its 10th studio album, dubbed The Green Album. And they didn't name it that in honor of environmental awareness.

No, the Southern California based group named the album after its favorite color to smoke. And that's no secret. These guys make music about corruption in the war of drugs and legalizing marijuana. It's controversial subject matter, and one of the reason's the group has kept its blend of hip hop and punk rock away from major labels, said Brad "Daddy" X, the six-member collective's front man.

LIVE TONIGHT: KOTTONMOUTH KINGS

• With: (HED)p.e., The Subnoize Souljaz and more
• When: 7 p.m. tongith Cine El Rey
• Tickets: At the door, at Melhart's Music in McAllen, all Wireless Toyz locations and online at www.ez-tixx.com.
• Online: www.myspace.com/kottonmouthkings or www.kottonmouthkings.com

But the band has stayed successful, touring and making original music since 1994. Tonight, the Kottonmouth Kings play McAllen's historic Cine El Rey Venue.

Daddy X called from California just before the tour started to share some thoughts in the most recent Festiva interview. Here are a few clips.

Daddy X on blending hip hop with punk rock...."We all grew up surfing, skating and living the Southern California lifestyle. Living in Southern California is like a melting pop of cultures. A lot of people I grew up with liked punk rock and hip hop. Nowadays everybody listens to everything. It wasn't always like that. I think those walls started coming down through the ‘90s and into the 2000s."

Daddy X on The Green Album....[Fans] can expect 20 songs of peace, truth and freedom. Some good party songs. Some good hip hop songs. Some acoustic, mellow songs. I think it has all the elements of the Kottonmouth Kings.

Daddy X on his dream collaborations....we've had a chance to collaborate with so many great artists. I'd still like to work with the Beastie Boys, and I'd like to do something with Snoop Dogg.

Daddy X on the band's influences...TSOL, the Vandals, Minor Threat and then of course hip hop. NWA, Public Enemy, Cypress Hill and the Beastie Boys.

Daddy X on what to expect from a Kottonmouth Kings show....if you can't have fun at a Kottonmouth Kings show, I guess you don't want to have fun. And bring a change of clothes because you're going to sweat your ass off."

Zack Quaintance covers features and entertainment for Festiva. You can reach him at (956) 683-4447.