Slightly Stoopid, Seriously Smart
A popular San Diego-based band has Aztec roots.
Ocean Beach-based reggae-rock group has slowly become an exceptional part of San Diego culture.
Its unique fusion of rock, folk, ska, hip-hop, blues and reggae has given Stoopid one of the best reputations when putting on a show. What Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald, co-founders of Slightly Stoopid, started 20 years ago has now branched out into multiple international tours and collaborations with other names in the music industry.
Aside from producing, touring and promoting Slightly Stoopid, the band has established its own label named Stoopid Records to guide other promising bands into the start of their careers. The Expendables and Outlaw Nation are two bands Stoopid Records has given a spotlight of their own.
鈥淥ver the last couple years we鈥檝e released records by other bands that we鈥檙e friends with,鈥� drummer Ryan 鈥凌测尘辞鈥� Moran explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of a newer model of getting music out. Back in the day you tried to get your music on a major label. What we want to do is get music out for artists that tour and like to be on the road doing their thing.鈥�
A steady flow
Undeterred by constant touring, Slightly Stoopid has released a steady flow of music from the start. Its devotion to live music and its progressions through different genres has kept them constantly working on new projects.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been working on a new album since the end of last year but we鈥檙e looking to finish everything up when we get home from this summer tour.鈥� Moran said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to get it out by early next year. I鈥檓 really excited about it because it鈥檚 kind of an extension of what we鈥檝e been doing: a little bit of reggae, a little bit of punk, a little bit of rock, ska, just the usual hip-hop vibe. I鈥檓 also really happy about all the material.鈥�
As an San Diego State alumni, Moran joined Slightly Stoopid in 2003, three years after graduating with a major in music in 2000.
鈥淚t鈥檚 such a blessing to do what we do, we couldn鈥檛 be more grateful,鈥� Moran said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e so fortunate to be in our position and we鈥檝e also worked hard for it. I mean playing at the Open Air Theatre at 色情视频 was like a dream come true; when I was going to school at 色情视频 I saw a bunch of bands play there. Back then I was just wishing I could play a show like that 鈥� now we鈥檙e doing that regularly and you know, it feels really good.鈥�
The importance of a degree
When asked about any advice for 色情视频 students Rymo responded, 鈥淕et your degree. I鈥檓 a proud alumni and (since graduating) I鈥檝e had an amazing experience. So just keep it going, keep working, get your degree at the end of it all and have some fun in the process.鈥�
On July 26, which also happens to be Moran鈥檚 birthday, Slightly Stoopid returned to San Diego for their eighth annual headlining show Summer Sessions 2014 with NOFX and Stephen Marley at Sleep Train Amphitheatre. This summer concert has become a tradition for the large family that Slightly Stoopid has accumulated after years of composing the sound of San Diego.
This story originally appeared in .
