Interview With Chang Weisberg of Guerilla Union by Heather Gulino Chang Weisberg is a busy man. As head of one of the leading independent concert promoters, Weisberg wears enough hats to fill a walk-in closet. His company, Guerilla Union, started out as four people with a vision to bring unique live music experience to fans. Today, Guerilla Union promotes and produces the Cypress Hill Smokeout, the international Rock the Bells, the Paid Dues Hip-Hop Festival and launching in 2010, the 4:20 Harvest Festival and Expo. When I caught up with him, he was in his car on his way to get take-out, something I imagine happens more often than not.
KLA: First, congratulations on the success of this year’s Smokeout. It seemed like everyone had a blast. CW: Thank you! We were really blessed. We had great weather, awesome fans and legendary performances. We had over 30,000 people over the course of two days and ZERO arrests. ZERO! That has never happened. Not even one year, of all the Rock the Bells, anything. Hell, there are arrests at nearly every Dodger game! KLA: Speaking of legendary performances, what did you think of the Sublime reunion? CW: Wow, what can I say? It was overwhelming to see a crowd that big singing along, knowing every word. They were surprised, no shocked at how good Rome is. KLA: The expo was a really interesting addition this year. Did you receive a positive response? CW: We did, so much so that a lot of our vendors said they wanted to somehow continue to showcase in a similar setting. We are going to throw the first 4:20 Harvest in April as an intimate version of Smokeout and do the same sort of set-up with an expo. (Laughs) I just said that and watch, we’ll get as many or more 38 KUSH L.A.