Slightly Stoopid at the Fargo Theatre

When I first heard about Slightly Stoopid, I thought they were a punk band and wondered why they were playing this summer’s 10KLF. Then, I listened to their music and had a phone conversation with Miles Doughty, founder of the band, and realized that this six-piece band was really a mix of rock, reggae, pop, hip-hop, punk, blues and roots. The band does indeed have punk roots, having started out as a garage band in San Diego, and thus the name.

“We were kids when we came up with the name,” Miles Doughty (guitar, bass, vocals) said in an interview. He and fellow bandmate Kyle McDonald (also guitar, bass, vocals) had started out playing guitar when they were just young teenagers. Then, when they were about sixteen, they were signed by Skunk Records.
“They were an independent label, and their name was out there all ready so it kind of gave us a nice little foot in the door. When people never heard of us, they’d say, ‘Let’s check out these Skunk guys because Sublime was on Skunk Records.’ It was awesome, especially since we were fans of Sublime.”

But Doughty quickly admits, “We were raw back then. I think that’s why the label liked us because we had that raw sound.”

Slightly Stoopid then began to draw other musicians. “Ryan Moran (drums) has been with us six years. OG (Oguer Ocon, congas, percussion, harp, vocals) has been with us seven years. The rhythm section has been together for quite awhile,” Doughty said.

Dela on saxophone and C-Money on trumpet and keys joined a couple of years ago. “Once we were together, C-Money and Dela was like icing on the cake. I think it really fills out the music. It complements what we were already doing. The creativity together is cool.”

The band explores all kinds of musical styles. “You never really know what you’re going to get…We’re lucky our fans are into every kind of music. It lets us be ourselves,” Doughty added. “Our fan base goes from 15 to 60 years old.” There definitely is something there for every fan.

Skunk Records launched Slightly Stoopid not only onto the American musical stage but opened the world to them. The Internet and music downloads have also contributed to the band’s success in other countries. They have toured in Australia, Guam, the UK, Europe, and Japan.

The band is no longer with Skunk Records, but they have as established their own label, Stoopid Records. “We’re able to put out the music just the same way as we were with the other independent label. We figured it would be cool just to have our own imprint,” Doughty explained.

They have also signed a couple of new acts. “We’ve released the Expendables’ record. We’re doing a band from the South called The Outlaw Nation. We’re looking for bands right now to see if we can help some of the young kids out like we were helped and try to get their records out there and get them on tour.”

One of those young bands, the hip-hop band The Outlaw Nation will open for them at the Fargo Theatre on October 17.

If You Go

Who: Slightly Stoopid
When: Friday, October 17, 8 pm
Where: Fargo Theatre
Tickets: $20.00 advance, $25.00 day of show (plus applicable fees); The Fargo Theatre Box Office, The Hub Kiosks, by phone (800) 882-4275 or online:www.jadepresents.com