Interview: Slightly Stoopid’s RyMo
Slightly Stoopid: Living in the Moment.
Slightly Stoopid is a reggae band based out of Ocean Beach, California. They are known for their energetic live shows and for having a devoted fan base. Drummer Ryan “RyMo” Moran recently wrote in to discuss his favorite drummers.
BTJ: How old were you when you first started playing drums?
RyMo: I started getting into drums around the age of 12 or so. A friend of mine bought
me a pair of drumsticks and I started banging on pots, pans, cookie tins etc.
BTJ: What was the first concert you went to?
RyMo: I saw the Who’s 25th anniversary tour in 1989. I saw Motley Crue and Faster Pussycat shortly after. Amazing, life changing stuff.
BTJ: Do you remember the first reggae album you heard?
RyMo: Steel Pulse’ s ‘Reggae Greats.’ Phenomenal, they rule.
BTJ: Who were some of your favorite drummers growing up?
RyMo:Â John Bonham was a huge influence. Neil Peart too. Carlton Barrett from Bob Marley’s band, tons of jazz guys including Elvin Jones, Tony williams, Billy Cobham, Jimmy Cobb. Chad Sexton of 311, Byron from pennywise, Eric from NOFX, Chad Smith from rhcp, Will Calhoun from Living Colour and the list goes wayyyy on….
Do you have any reggae vocalists you would love to work with that you haven’t yet?
We’ve been fortunate to work with many greats, but yeah, I’d love to get into the studio with Damian and Stephen, Sizzla, Spragga Benz, and more.
BTJ: How did you first become involved with Slightly Stoopid?
RyMo:Â I joined the band about 7 years ago. I toured with another band and slightly back in like ’02 and we hit it off and became friends. We all lived in OB at the time and I had seen them in the past. I liked their music a lot. A year after that tour, I was looking for some change and got a phone call.
BTJ: What’s been your most memorable gig with Slightly Stoopid?
RyMo:Â Probably my first few gigs. I was really excited to be a part of it. We flew to Chicago after like 2 rehearsals and did a huge street fair gig. A week or two later, on my birthday, we played Reggae on the River in northern Cal.
BTJ: Do you have a favorite act to share stages with while on the road with Slightly Stoopid?
RyMo:Â I’ve got a ton. Fishbone, Snoop, Expendables, Aggrolites, Stephen and Damian, Sly and Robbie…more
BTJ: How do songs come together in Slightly Stoopid?
RyMo:Â Many ways. Sometimes we are all together in a room and we start working out parts. Sometimes, someone just records an idea and everyone else stacks their parts on top. Sometimes the ideas are preconceived, others are improvisations that are remembered and played again.
BTJ: Do you ever create new songs while on the road?
RyMo:Â Yes, sound check is good for that.
BTJ: What’s your favorite description you’ve heard of Slightly Stoopid’s sound?
RyMo:Â I’ve heard some good ones. The ones I like the most are ones that discredit us because of our name, or reputation. If you come to a show, that will become the best description of our sound. It happens in the moment and stays in the moment.
BTJ: How do you feel that Stoopid’s sound has evolved over the years?
RyMo:Â We are all growing daily and discovering new influences musically and in life. The music has to grow and change. It can’t stay the same or people will lose interest.
BTJ: You’re known for having very passionate fans (“Stoopidheads”). What’s been your craziest fan experience?
RyMo:Â I’ve seen some crazy shit. We play for our fans and for our love of music. I’ve seen some great mosh pits, some bad injuries, some overzealous security guards. We’ve been given some amazing art by fans.
BTJ: You guys tour a ton. What is it about your sound that appeals to so many people?
RyMo:Â I think it’s fun. We try to take our fans on a ride every night. Our music is about enjoying life and living in the moment. Some things we write about are positive and fun, others are darker and edgier. We play reggae, rock, punk, funk, and more because that’s what we enjoy and I think fans connect to honest musicians. We don’t spend hours getting hair spray and make up and wardrobe and b.s. With us it’s ‘what you see is what you get.’ I think fans can dig that. We are just regular dudes that like playing music together and traveling…
For more info on Slightly Stoopid, check out http://www.slightlystoopid.com/
