Slightly Stoopid | 12.06.08 | Hollywood

Words by: Greg Caruso | Images by: Paul Huynh

Slightly Stoopid :: 12.06.08 :: Hollywood Palladium :: Los Angeles, CA

Slightly Stoopid :: 12.06 :: L.A.

Though the event was sold out, the Hollywood Palladium show certainly didn’t feel that way upon walking in. Granted, the massive crowd exiting after Bad Brains‘ set may have been why, but brings up the question of who was the more important act to see, the original lineup of a groundbreaking ’80s punk group or the reggae-punk sounds of a faded stoner act? By the end of the evening the answer wasn’t that clear.

Seeing ecstatic punk types exiting the Palladium, clearly there only for Bad Brains, gave the impression that they’d performed up to their standards. Having heard them only from the outside, it sounded like things went well. As we entered, it seemed like a bit of a time-warp back to 1996, complete with a DJ spinning Sublime and Bob Marley and the waft of pungent chronic in the air. This being my first time to the Palladium since it’s reopening, I felt inclined to roam around and see what may have changed. New paint, carpet and chandeliers were all in place along the main corridor, outside ring and upstairs sections of the venue. A new movable stage seemed completed and the sound system was beefed up a bit. Thankfully, the changes didn’t diminish the old time feel of the historic establishment.

As the DJ finally stopped the monotony of his playlist, he introduced Slightly Stoopid to a rousing round of applause from the crowd. Opening up with “London Dub” off of their most recent release Slightly Not Stoned Enough To Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid, the band seemed ready to show off their prowess with laid-back dub, reggae and punk sounds. Shuffling through tracks spanning their decade-plus career, and bringing out guests from Israel Vibration, it became more and more apparent that even though the band is filled with exceptional musicians, they can seem a bit directionless at times. At certain points, they would lay down impressive grooves that were totally open to expansion, but just never took advantage of them, which in turn let them just fall flat at the end.

Slightly Stoopid :: 12.06 :: L.A.

The crowd, given a shout out by singer Miles Doughty, seemed to stem mostly from San Diego. The floor section was where there were the most lively fans, but it seemed like around the ring and upstairs folks were mainly there to see the guys perform live, get stoned and leave. As the band laid into harder punk-laden songs, mosh-pits started to form, only to peter out as failed attempts. It was just another example of the band being excellent players but just not knowing where to take their music or the crowd. Although certain moments failed to reach blastoff, selections such as “Closer to the Sun,” “Digital” and “Till it Gets Wet” all came off as exceptional.

Slightly Stoopid make damn fine records with upbeat reggae grooves and a smoked out vibe. One assumes they will continue to grow in the studio, but with a live show that never seemed to match the quality of what’s on wax, more seasoned fans may decide to get Stoopid on the couch instead.

12.06.08 :: Hollywood Palladium :: Los Angeles, CA
London Dub, Sensi, 2 Little 2 Late, Breakdown, Dem Fruits, Digital, Mellow Mood, Babylon is Fallin Punk Stylee, 2am, Closer, Till it Gets Wet, Operation, Ocean, Jet Plane, If This World, Anywhere I Go, UB40, Train, OG Metal

Check out JamBase’s exclusive feature/interview with Slightly Stoopid here.

Slightly Stoopid tour dates available here.

Slightly Stoopid :: 12.06 :: L.A.

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