Deadheads and stoners of all stripes have long enjoyed an occasional balloon or two filled with nitrous oxide (N2O), one of the world’s oldest anesthetics. But, after a dead body was discovered at the recent Gathering of the Vibes, festival goers have pointed in the direction of an out-of-control balloon scene run by the so-called Nitrous Mafia that may have led to Jay Caliro's death.

The Nitrous Mafia is not a nationally organized crime ring like a drug cartel. The term is lingo for a festival phenomenon that primarily occurs at East Coast events - particularly those close to Philadelphia (All Good, GOTV, Mountain Jam, Camp Bisco).

Anyone over the age of 18 can walk off the street into a place like South Philly Propane & Welding and, for $50, obtain a “membership” card to purchase nitrous, valid for one year. The membership card system was the result of frequent shutdowns and stiff fines imposed by the City of Philadelphia, who got wise to the shop’s loose operations. Regardless of the red tape, it’s business as usual at the meager looking edifice in the heart of South Philly’s ghetto at 2438 Federal St. The popularity of balloon huffing combined with the not so secretive location of this particular propane shop draws crowds. Would-be patrons can expect lines to wrap around the block several days prior to any sizeable jam-band event within a four-hour radius. A nitrous purchaser typically supplies his or her own tanks, often referred to as “steel” (despite the fact that many tanks are made of aluminum for portability).

It doesn’t take a math wizard to figure out why selling nitrous is so attractive. Consider the profit potential: A 40 lb. tank costs $100 to fill and, with careful operation of the tank, one can blow up approximately 300 12-oz. balloons and sell them for $5-$7 a piece (premium festival prices). That’s $1,500-$2,100 per tank. The possibility for dividends builds up fast. In most cases, serious N2O operations roll deep with dozens of tanks distributed over the festival grounds in multiple locations and vehicles. Tank runners concoct every method under the sun to move product through the gate, from concealing tanks in an auto’s undercarriage to false-bottom trunks to passing hefty bribes to gate workers to turn a blind eye. (Gas crews at the All Good festival in West Virginia have been known to utilize the naturally forming geographic pockets and caves at Marvin’s Mountaintop in to hide caches of tanks in the weeks prior to the July festival.)

The stakes are high and ambitious N2O operations go to great lengths to maintain a stronghold over the course of festivities, employing teams of watchmen and muscle to help push product. The moneyman - or head dude in charge of the cash stash - is typically the toughest of the bunch, often packing heat to deter thieves and competing crews. (At another East Coast jam-band event, vigilant security were literally threatened by the Nitrous Mafia when they attempted to shut down the late-night scene.)

The repercussions from being caught with a nitrous tank vary depending on security. The penalty for possession differs from state to state, ranging from a slap on the wrist to a felony. But many believe security is paid off so the Nitrous Mafia can operate freely, with little fear of being caught.

Nitrous also impacts vendor morale and overall cleanliness. With the hiss of gas tanks going all night long on the backside of Shakedown St. (a.k.a. Nitrous Alley), the Nitrous Mafia effectively drains tens of thousands of dollars out of the pockets of ticket holders and away from legitimate vendors. Plus, balloons are littered everywhere, like pieces of rubber confetti.

Not every instance of nitrous use can be linked to the Nitrous Mafia. Nitrous at festivals is commonplace and generally accepted when it’s practiced discreetly. Personal consumption of nitrous is usually done via a single Whippit cartridge - used in the restaurant industry for whipped cream dispensing - charged by a hand cracker into a balloon. More elaborate hand canisters are available at any WalMart and often hold multiple charges. Whippits sell for less than $.50 each in boxes of 24.

That this mild anesthetic discovered in 1775 and commonly used to boost cars, propel aerosol and sedate dental patients has became one of the most abused recreational drugs can’t be blamed entirely on money-grubbing balloon pushers. But now that aggression and violence is taking its toll on usually peaceful festivals like Gathering of the Vibes, it’s time for attendees to finally stop supporting on-site parasites and start saying no to the Nitrous Mafia.

Blog by Brian Zickafoose



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