Courtesy of Silverback Artist ManagementPicture yourself sitting on the beach with warm sand squished between your toes and a cool ocean breeze blowing on your face.
Could this be paradise?
Not quite.
You lean over to turn up the stereo, and Slightly Stoopid pulsates from the speakers. Now your paradise is complete.
The past 10 years for the Ocean Beach-based band Slightly Stoopid could be described as just that: paradise.
The good vibes began when Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald, both at the age of 17, were plucked straight out of high school by the late Sublime front man, Brad Nowell.
“We were at a show in Long Beach and (Nowell) came up to us and said, ‘Hey let’s make a record,'” Doughty said.
Slightly Stoopid established itself as a band soon thereafter. Although sometimes the spotlight can be fought over, Slightly Stoopid front men Doughty and McDonald share it equally, with both contributing to the writing process.
“A few more hands in the pot is always nice,” Doughty said in reference to all members of the band having a part in songwriting. “All the guys having a part – that’s what makes a band.”
Slightly Stoopid’s music is very similar to Sublime’s, with a fusion of punk, reggae and hip-hop that emits a laid-back feeling.
“(The music) is like a surfing, skating kind of vibe,” Doughty said.
The vibe appears to be a popular one, not only in San Diego but nationwide as shows all over are nearly selling out.
“The Jager tour we’re on right now is the best so far,” Doughty said. “It’s great to tour with all your friends.”
Along with touring with friends, such as Hawaii natives Pepper, some of the success of the tour might be attributed to the band’s diehard fans. The fans are often lovingly referred to as Stoopidheads or “ese locos,” which means “crazy people” in English.
“(The ese locos) are our street team,” Doughty said. “They’re our fans established across the country.”
The immense fan base may be a result of the band’s relentless work habits, which will continue after its current tour with writing and producing another record. Doughty said the new record may have a collaboration with tourmates Pepper but that is still being discussed.
-Slightly Stoopid is scheduled to
perform at 9 p.m. tomorrow at 4th & B; however, tickets are sold out.
