SLIGHTLY STOOPID INTERVIEW
When you are on the road 90 percent of the time, it’s hard to find the time to do the little things. So when I call one of Slightly Stoopid’s cofounders, Miles Doughty (vocalist/guitarist/bassist), I catch him in Best Buy doing a little urgent shopping. Thankfully he still has time to speak with The Pier, as he tries to make the most of the band’s two week break before it head’s out again on another US Fall Tour.
The Pier: So what are you picking up there at Best Buy?
Miles: I lost my charger for my computer and I thought they might have some here, cause the Apple Store didn’t have them. But they don’t have them here either, dammit! (we both laugh)
The Pier: You just got back from the nation-wide Summer Haze Tour. How was it? I saw the show here in Seattle and it was such a great day. Do you enjoy the outdoor festival vibe?
Miles: We had a blast the whole tour pretty much. It was just insane doing those shows with Ozo and G Love. The outdoor festivals are usually cool, because you are in places surrounded by trees, so it’s nice to be outside in the sun if you know what I mean.
The Pier: Oh yeah, but in contrast on Monday you played an all acoustic set in Smyrna Beach, FL. How was that?
Miles: It was fun. It was kind of like bringing it back to the old school. It was like a little unplugged session and we had it set up like a little backyard party. So yeah it was cool.
The Pier: Do you think we could see more of those intimate acoustic shows in the future?
Miles: Yeah, but it would be kind of something that we did on a whim, nothing that we will plan. Kind of just like how that show happened; right on the end of a tour and have it just sprung on us. That’s how we did this one.
The Pier: I wish I could have been there.
Miles: Yeah, it was cool man. We haven’t done something like that in a couple of years so it was kind of pretty sweet.
The Pier: You have built your large following on the band's live show. Doing it grassroots style all the way. You must obviously enjoy life on the road then?
Miles: Oh yeah man, it is the best.
The Pier: Is it hard to maintain relationships back home in Ocean Beach, CA touring all the time?
Miles: Obviously it puts a strain on things. It’s just a sacrifice you have got to make. To be successful out there, you got to put yourself out there. For us we are road-dogs so we got to get out there and just make it happen.
Last month, Slightly Stoopid released its fifth studio album, Chronchitis. To date it has received a positive reaction from fans and sees the band concentrating a little more on its reggae and dub flavas. It is also the first album to feature the talents of recent band additions C-money (trumpet and keys) and DeLa (saxophone).
The Pier: In some ways this is the most focused album you have done. I almost feel it's a concept album with the 'Chronchitis' title, artwork and overall chilled nature of the recording. Was this concept pre-planned at the beginning, before heading into do the sessions?
Miles: Thanks man, for saying it's the most focused. It sort of kind of happened as we were making it you know. I think this is certainly one of our most chilled records. It’s a record you pop in and just let it roll. For us it wasn’t really mapped but we had an idea, we went in and tracked like 30-something songs. We went into the studio with a vibe and put songs together and looked to how they flowed. So that’s how we put the puzzle together and I think it worked out good.
The Pier: Punk music has always been featured on your previous albums and is a big part of your live show. There's none on this new album.
Miles: Yeah I know, but we are going to do a little punk rock EP. Something with digital downloads and stuff. It will be for all those die-hard punk fans, so they will be able to get some of that.
The Pier: When do you think we could expect to see that?
Miles: Probably not till next year sometime, because we are going back on tour in a couple of weeks and we will be touring to the end of the year.
Chronchitis, also saw the band working with its most diverse line-up of producers assembled for a Slightly Stoopid album yet. Check this all-star list out: Miquel (Sublime), Mario C (Beastie Boys and Jack Johnson), Chris D (G Love) and Paul Leary (Sublime).
The Pier: What was it like working with all these different producers?
Miles: It was insane dude. Each of those guys has their own vibe and when you go into the studio you feed off their energy at the same time. Obviously working with Mario C, legendary Beastie Boy producer, we were already going into that session really, really stoked.
Honestly, they are all easy to work with too, we have been working with Miquel for 12 years, we have been working with Chris D for quite a few years. Paul Leary was really fun too. Everyone had a nice vibe that they brought to the table.
The Pier: There seems to be less vocal sharing on tracks between you and Kyle (McDonald) on this new album and your previous one, Closer to the Sun. It seems like most songs are a "Kyle" or "Miles" song. How much input do you have into each other’s songs during the songwriting process these days?
Miles: We always have input for each other when writing songs. I think a lot of the time, just as a musician you have a lot of ideas on your own that you create and we have been a band for 15 years together. So when you write a lot of songs, sometimes you like to have your own feel for it too.
Just as musicians we each write so much music, that’s why on these records it seems split up more, but that’s just really the only way to do it.
The Pier: Do you and Kyle always play on each other’s songs when recording an album?
Miles: Yeah we do. A lot of stuff we do our own shit, but everybody is always doing a little something on somebody elses stuff.
The Pier: So what do Rymo and OG bring to the studio in the terms of crafting a song and adding to it?
Miles: They just bring just a nice rhythm section. Nice drums and percussion. For the most part Kyle and I write most of the music and everybody just brings a little flavor to add to the song.
The Pier: What was it like having Angelo Moore (Fishbone) and Guru from Gangstarr guesting on the album?
Miles: It was great dude, we have been friends with Angelo for a while and he has got just one of the dopest voices on the planet. Guru is one of the most lyrical conscious rappers, so we have been fans of both guys. You know my favorite Guru track is a song called Betrayal dude and it is just kind of crazy. Working with Angelo and Guru just takes things to a different level, they have so much experience in the game.
The Pier: I'll have to give that Guru song a listen. So who would you like to collaborate with on a song who you haven't with already?
Miles: I would like to work this reggae artist named Pinchers. Yellowman too and we are talking about doing something with Half Pint right now so that should be pretty cool.
The Pier: How does Slightly Stoopid decide what makes the album and what gets cut? You talked about recording 30 songs for Chronchitis. I guess what fans really want to know is there a Stoopid 'Ark of the Covenant' that holds all these unreleased treasures and if yes do you ever plan to release them one day?
Miles: Oh yeah (he says excitedly). As I said before, what gets cut is just what flows together and we piece it together that way. What we are going to try and start doing is releasing songs like downloads for all our past studio stuff that didn’t make records. There is still so much dope stuff that we recorded and you just don’t have room on a CD to put it all. It should be pretty cool when it all comes out.
The Pier: Ok, here is a serious question. How do they feel about the reviews and the media portrayals that purport Slightly Stoopid is just a weed band and that's what your music is all about?
Miles: I think those kind of people are kind of ignorant and don’t look through the rest of it. You know we have kind of been pigeon-holed in that just because obviously we do support that, but that is not the only thing the band is about. Those reviewers are the kind of people that don’t smoke weed, so those kind of people I couldn’t really care less what they are saying.
They are not the people coming to the shows and supporting us throughout our career. Our fans are who make the band what it is, not people who review albums or write whatever they think the band is about.
The Pier: Yeah, your Ese Locos are some of the most die-hards fans for any band I have seen. How did you develop such a strong connection with your fans do you think?
Miles: They are pretty much what makes the band. Those guys go out of their minds and I love it. I think they respect the fact that we spend most of our lives on the road playing music. We have also turned down all the major label vibes and just make music for ourselves and for the fans. I want to give a shout out and thanks to all the fans for supporting the band because without them we couldn’t do what we do.
The Pier: You guys have created a record label, Stoopid Records, and have just put out the new Expendables album. Great job on guesting on that one too (Miles sings on two tracks). Are you looking at bringing anyone else on board at this stage?
Miles: Those kids are great and it was a hell of a lot of fun to work with them in the studio. We don’t have anyone picked out as yet, but as we tour along and find people we will see if they are interested.
The Pier: Random question time. We all know you and Kyle are Star Wars fans. I myself am a Star Wars geek, so I want to know who is your favorite character?
Miles: Oh right on man. I think the funniest character in Star Wars is Han Solo. He almost makes the whole movie, cause he has got that attitude about him. I have also been a fan of Obi-Wan Kenobi. The new trilogy was so digital it was kind of crazy. I think they almost need to do the next three movies 7, 8, 9 and bring back characters. In the books Luke goes to the dark side so there could be a whole other thing going on there.
The Pier: Oh for sure. That would be cool to watch, plus Mark Hamill could probably use the work. So what else has Slightly Stoopid got coming up in the immediate future?
Miles: Just staying on the road and supporting the record. We are touring the States until late December and early next year we are planning on going over to Europe, Australia, Japan and Guam. We are just going to be on the road, trying to make things happen.
The Pier: Oh nice, I'm Australian and have a few friends there who would be excited to see you guys play down there again. But for now, it is time for the standard 'The Pier' closing question, what is your favorite beach or summer hang out?
Miles: I live in this town called Ocean Beach, which is nice, but if you want to go to beautiful beaches Hawaii is always great and so is the Bahamas. Honestly dude, I loved Byron Bay when I was in Australia. I thought that was an incredible beach.
Miles is right on the money there, Byron Bay is an awesome spot. It's at this time The Pier lets him go, so he can try to chase down his charger. Thanks to Miles for this interview and The Pier wishes to thank everyone on the Slightly Stoopid Message Board for some great questions and ongoing support.
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