In a way, this band could only hail from a place called Open Beach. The uniting thing about their music is its sense of carefree abandon; it’s the sound of an endless summer, a spring break that’s everything you could possibly want and more. Needless to say, it’s pretty awesome that way.
One of the most impressive things about the band is that in their nineteen years as a band they’ve been built around the same core duo of founding members, multi-instrumentalists and childhood friends Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald. Their chemistry and artistry, not to mention their friendship, have been the driving forces behind the band in a way that few bands before or since have replicated.
They formed the band in high school and soon afterwards they were discovered by Sublime frontman Bradley Nowell, who signed them to his label where in 1996, they released their debut album “Slightly $toopid”. They’ve since released a total of seven studio albums but for all their quality and experience as musicians, it’s the bands live show that’s made them the band they are to this day.
Few bands have a more welcoming, inclusive spirit at their shows than Slightly Stoopid, both the founding members of the band credit their fans with making them what they are today. That gratitude is pretty much tangible when they perform, and they give back in turn with every riotous skank, every crowd surfing bass player, and every ounce of positivity they possess.
They may be a cult band, but they’re the kind of cult that welcomes newcomers of all shapes, sizes and colours. Anyone would do very well to be a part of it the next chance they get.
With a name that could not possibly be further opposed to the general perception of reggae - it’s about as easy to imagine Bob Marley becoming irate about something as it is to picture the members of Slipknot sitting down for afternoon tea and a nice slice of cake - Iration set out to give the genre a much-needed shot in the arm in 2004, when they began playing shows in the small college town of Isla Vista. The rock edge they brought to their music commanded the attention of locals, and that propelled them to national attention within the genre when their debut full-length, ‘No Time for Rest’, topped the Billboard Reggae Charts in 2007. They opened for Pepper on tour the following year, their first nation jaunt within the U.S.
They followed up their debut with records including 2010’s ‘Time Bomb’ and 2013’s ‘Automatic’, although the latter was not released before the departure of co-lead vocalist Kai Rediske, who worked on the album. A vague statement on the band’s website, suggesting that he departed to “pursue other interests”, has failed to quell speculation that tension between Rediske and the band’s other singer, Micah Pueschel, led to the split.
The four piece came together in 1995 when, using a 4-track tape recorder, singer-songwriter and guitarist Kristopher Roe, and guitarist Jasin Thomason, would write and record demos with a drum machine whilst searching for a full-time drummer.
The band’s big break came in 1996 when Roe and Thomason attended a show to see the band The Vandals, who owned their own label “Kung Fu Records. Thomason gave a tape to Joe Escalante, a bassist from the band. The Ataris were later signed to the record label and eventually found drummer Derrick Plourde. Fast-forward a couple of months to April 29th 1997, when The Ataris released their debut album “Anywhere but Here” which only took a week to record. The band relocated to Santa Barbara, California. The band had to undergo some line up changes in this transition period, but their popularity started to bloom.
In 2002 saw the Ataris new album “So Long, Astoria” start to take shape. Their contract with Kung Fu Records had expired but they had the attention of Columbia Records to decided to sign with them. This album catered to a much more mainstream audience and generated successful singles such as “In This Diary” and “The Saddest Song”. The album also featured their cover of Don Henley’s “the Boys of Summer” which became their “accidental” second single after a radio station, KROQ in Los Angeles started playing it. However, it is the band’s highest charting single to date, reaching No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album sold over 700,000 units in total and was certified Gold.
The band has remained a band to this day but it is very much the brainchild of Roe, with him being the driving force behind the band and the original member. In 2013, The Ataris began a North American tour with Kris Roe and the former members John Collura, Mike Davenport and Chris Knapp to celebrate the 10 years of their most successful album, “So Long, Astoria”.
Sublime is one of my favorite bands of all time. Sadly I did not get to see the original band but Sublime with Rome. Rome was wonderful and made the concert live greatly up to my expectations. The band was amazing, and the concert was high energy, although the audience was very laid back. ;) They not only played the hits, but other songs as well. I had a blast during the concert, did a lot of dancing, the music was great, and I think Rome did a great job replacing Bradley. The venue of the show was wonderful, and the experience was up close and personal for the most part. The atmosphere and crowd were amazing and everyone had a great time. That night was unforgettable. If you are unsure about seeing Sublime because of Rome, DO NOT HESITATE. The show will be amazing and keep you dancing all night long. Rome sure can sing and strum a guitar. All the songs I wanted to hear were played! Not only was Sublime great but the opening act was a ton of fun and very talented too. I had a wonderful time at this concert, and I will definitely recommend it to everyone. Hopefully I will be able to see them again some day.
Slightly Stoopid is a band known for their southern California sound. Though you don't need to be a surfer to enjoy their great live concerts. With songs ranging from ska, reggae, rock and even the surprising hip-hop inspired tunes it's no surprise the band have accumulated such a diverse audience.
There is no shortage of variety at a Slightly Stoopid concert. Whether the song has clean guitars, or dirty punk rock distorted guitars. Even the occasional saxophone, bongos or keyboards. The vibe is always consistent. Amazingly the band's shows feel like a fun backyard party even when there are hundreds of die hard fans rocking out. Everyone in the crowd feel like friends rather than crazed fans. Perhaps it's because the band doesn't have the outrageous "Rock Star" look. They're just guys wearing shorts and t-shirts.Dancing along to their chill "Sublime-esq" music, or moshing to their early 90's inspired punk rock jams. The crowd at a Slightly Stoopied concert always seem to be having nothing short of an amazing time.
So if you're sick of the cliche rock band and want to see something with a little bit more flavor check these guys out! Who knows? Maybe you'll end up finding yourself in the crowd dancing along with everyone else having the time of your life.
Living on the coasts of California, and having influences like Sublime, its not surprise that Joseph Dickens, Dam Taylor, Cayson Peterson, Micah Pueschel and Joseph King started a reggae band called Iration to express their creativity. The quintuplet started their band while living in sunny Santa Barbara, California, where the beach life is easy. Playing a lot of college venues, they gained a huge underground following of people who would travel a pretty far distance to see them live; usually an act that is never regretted.
Their shows are the epitome of California living. Tons of people flock to their shows, usually dressed in California hobo chic. They all take the stage at once, pick up their instruments and slowly start to play. There is a buildup of sounds, chord progressions that lead into the laidback sounds that is reggae, or better yet, reggae rock. With their emblem in the background, they jam for an hour-long set, met with a lot of energy that the crowd is eating up. You can’t fight the head bob and sway that takes over you by the sounds of their music. The fusion of guitar solos and laidback mentality is an absolute California staple.
As a pivotal band in late nineties pop-punk it’s no surprise that The Ataris stir a bit of nostalgia for the fans who have grown up listening to them in their teenage years. With five albums worth of material, you’re bound to hear one of your favourites live. From the offset energy levels are through the roof, as the band hook the crowd with some of their classics like “Take Off and Landings” and “So Long, Astoria” taken from the album with same title, which really catapulted them into the mainstream. Even after all those years of relentlessly touring, The Ataris seem to have not lost the enthusiasm and in fact with age their performances just keep getting better with Kris Roe’s weathered, gravelly vocals mastered to perfection. Their audiences see a good mixture of old and new fans who share the same undying passion, each song is met with rapturous applause. Even in the moments of long instrumental where the band go into their own as they get lost in the rhythm, they take the audience with them as they are both moved and mesmerised. Aptly coming back for an encore with “Looking Back on Today” the fans sing back almost twice as loud, while the band beam from ear to ear. Whether or not you grew up listening to them, after seeing The Ataris they will be one of your favourite live bands.
It was the 3rd time I've seen the dub allstars live and as always they never fail to bust out an insane show,if you haven't seen them live, don't wait!!! They are great live