Slightly Stoopid: Breaking All The Rules

To call them stupid would be doing an injustice but Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald, founders of the band Slightly Stoopid, stand by their name and their loyal fans. Miles and Kyle started doing music together in 1995 after being long-time neighbors and friends. It was not too long afterwards that Bradley Nowell, front man for the band Sublime, signed Slightly Stoopid to his label, Skunk Records. The band immediately started recording and releasing their music once they were signed; first, with the album “Slightly $toopid” in 1996 and the single, “The Longest Barrel Ride” in 1998.

The band released an acoustic album called “Acoustic Roots: Live and Direct” which comprised of all acoustic songs performed live with no edits. This album became a fan favorite because it was so raw and uncut. Miles and Kyle invited their audience into their world and their fans loved it. Shortly after the release of “Acoustic Roots,” the guys decided to add to their group. With the additions came, Ryan ‘RyMo’ Moran on the drums, Oguer ‘OG’ Ocon  on the congas, percussion, harp, and vocals from the B Side Players, C-Money on the trumpet, keyboard and Dela on the saxophone from John Brown’s Body. With all the new talent, the band was able to expand its style and musical capability; they incorporated sounds that they never experienced before allowing them to reach more music lovers across the U.S.

Throughout the years the band has gained notoriety by performing at festivals such as Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and the New Orleans Jazz Fest. They’ve acquired thousands of loyal fans who go by the name of “Ese Locas” (Spanish for crazy people) as well as “stoopidheads.” These are the people that attend each and every event they possibly can just to see their favorite band perform and the guys understand this. Each set performed by the band is unique, Drummer Ryan Moran spoke to The Pier in Morrison, Colorado about the band’s creative process. “When we do write one, we usually write it in an hour or two out from show time. Every venue and place we go to has its own vibe and we like to incorporate songs that fit that setting.”

Aside from playing more than 200 shows a year, the members of Slightly Stoopid like to enjoy themselves. In an interview with Broward Palm Beach News Time, RyMo explains: “We’re not here for very long, so [we] make the most of it. Do your best to make wise decisions, but laugh at yourself when you make foolish ones.” 

The band is also known for their marijuana enthusiasm. They attend several events that support the legal use of recreational marijuana; Slightly Stoopid even performed at Amsterdam’s Cannibus Cup in 2009.

Recently Slightly Stoopid has been found performing in Atlanta on The Seedless Summer tour; their next stops include Raleigh, N.C., Columbus, Ohio, and Chicago. Needless to say, Slightly Stoopid has come a long way from the teenage age years of Miles and Kyle, and they are bound to go further.

-Stormm Van Rooi