The biggest band you don’t know about…The Slightly Stoopid story can be traced to Ocean Beach, California, when childhood chums Miles and Kyle formed the group in 1995, mixing reggae and punk sounds into one smooth stylistic cocktail. Soon after, late/great Sublime frontman Brad Nowell caught wind of the group, and signed them to his Skunk Records label – while the band members were still in high school.

For over a decade now, Slightly Stoopid has been supplying its fans with tunes that have served as the perfect summer soundtrack and ultimate live party. So it should be fitting that the group, that has been led from the beginning by Kyle McDonald and Miles Doughty (who share vocal/guitar/bass duties), take it to the stage this dog day season for “Tailgate 2008 Summer Tour,” kicking off in Las Vegas on August 1, 2008 and playing some two dozen cities across the US before they wrap up on September 6 in their hometown of San Diego, CA.

‘Slightly Not Stoned Enough To Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid’

This will be the band’s first-ever sole headlining trek of amphitheatres and will feature Pepper and reggae legends Sly and Robbie. And let’s not forget the arrival of the group’s tenth release overall – the odds and ends collection ‘Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid’ – which was released July 22nd on the group’s newly formed label, Stoopid Records.

“We did an album called ‘Closer to the Sun,’ and we had a bunch of songs – we went in and recorded 50 or 60 songs because we were having so much fun,” explains Kyle. “We had way too much for that album – we put out ‘Not Stoned Enough’ originally as a six-song bonus CD, only available in a limited pressing, with the pre-sale of the original album. People ended up liking it but not being able to get it. We went in and recorded some more songs in a session with the Inner Circle guys at their Circle House Studios in Miami, added a couple of songs from here and there, and just wrapped it up.”

‘Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid’ is not your average oddities collection, as it keeps the chain intact of Slightly Stoopid releases that are incredibly stylistically varied, as evidenced by such standouts as an impeccably deep and dubby cover of UB40’s “I Would Do For You,” the irresistible acoustic jive of “Train 1″ and “Train 2,” into the classic “Know You Rider” awash a mishmash of dub instrumental outtakes. What’s bound to catch the eye of many longtime fans is the inclusion of such longtime live favorites as “False Rhythms” and “Sensimilla,” both of which are featured as studio renditions for the first time ever, amid new jams such as “No Cocaine” and “Supernatural” which will no doubt keep the band’s hardest core fans very happy.

Besides looking forward to touring with their friends, Slightly Stoopid is especially looking forward to playing in front of their always-growing fan base, or as they’re affectionately known, ‘Stoopid Heads.’ “They’re just maniacs straight-up, and we love them. Without them, we’d just be playing at the bar. They make it worth our while – when we go out and people are having that good of a time, the energy goes back and forth. Just a good time – we just rely on each other’s energy.” With the arrival of ‘Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid’ and the stellar tour that they’ve put together, there will certainly be no shortage of energy at Slightly Stoopid shows this summer.

“Tailgate 2008 Summer Tour” dates (with more to be added), are as follows:

“Tailgate 2008 Tour” Starts Here:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to Slightly Stoopid’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

August 2008

1 The Joint, Las Vegas, NV
2 Pacific Amphitheatre, Costa Mesa, CA
3 Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara, CA
6 Idaho Center Amphitheatre, Boise, ID
7 Marymoor Amphitheatre, Seattle, WA
8 Cuthbert Amphitheatre, Eugene, OR
9 Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA
10 Regional Park Amphitheatre, Truckee, CA
13 Butte Amphitheatre, Butte, MT
14 The Great SaltAir, Magna, UT
15 Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO
16 Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO
20 Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY
21 Bank of America Pavilion, Boston, MA
22 Stone Pony Lot, Asbury Park, NJ
23 Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia, PA
24 Pier Six Concert Series, Baltimore, MD
27 House of Blues, Myrtle Beach, SC
28 Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary, NC
29 Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA
30 Mizner Park Amphitheatre, Boca Raton, FL
31 St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St. Augustine, FL

September 2008

2 Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa, OK*
3 Warehouse Live, Houston, TX*
5 Mesa Amphitheatre, Phoenix, AZ
6 Open Air Theatre, San Diego, CA

* Slightly Stoopid & The Expendables

Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast on amazon.com

Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast on amazon.co.uk

For music and more information, visit:

Myspace
Slightly Stoopid Official Website

I’ve got in my CD player a 5 song sampler of the new UB40 album, Twentyfourseven, which is released June 16th, 2008. The songs that I’m listening to now are some of the best that I’ve heard from UB40.

Over the years, I was never able to acquire a taste for the band, although there have been many people in my life who have been fans of UB40…they never connected with me. Until now.

“Dance Until The Morning Light” with Maxi Priest and featuring DJ Rapper Truth and “Lost and Found” are the tracks on the upcoming double A sided single released in the UK on June 9th. This will be their first single from Twentyfourseven.

The songs are great choices for a first release. With Maxi Priest singing, along with the familiar sample loop of Desmond Dekker and the Aces’ hit “Israelites”, the upbeat, sure to be a club favorite, “Dance Until The Morning Light” is classic. The vocal melody on “Lost and Found” sits nicely in along with the bass line and brings to light a refreshing subtleness that many bands are unable to capture these days.

The instrumentation, vocals and harmonies on “Rainbow Nation” are superb along with strong lyrics. Hopefully this song will receive a high amount of radio airplay.

“The Road” has that, “I feel like I’m in Jamaica feel” to it and reminds me of the time that I was in Negril. The vocals are cool, the horns add a nice element, and the vocal breakdown is smooth with a chilled out, laid back bass groove. The political nature of the lyrics are reminiscent of one of my favorite reggae artists, the late Lucky Dube (video). A brilliant track.

From what I’ve heard so far, UB40’s Twentyfourseven could be the album of the summer for music fans wanting a change from the current radio norm. Twentyfourseven will be the perfect accompaniment to barbecues, garden parties – and don’t forget the Red Stripe!

UB40 – Twentyfourseven on amazon.co.uk

UB40 on amazon.com

UB40
Myspace

By: Jenny May – BandWeblogs.com

Reggae legends UB40 have announced two new vocalists who will be joining UB40 to collaborate on their forthcoming live concerts.

Duncan Campbell, brother of Robin and Ali Campbell, will join UB40 along with reggae stalwart Maxi Priest and collaborate on future live concerts and recorded albums.

UB40 Twentyfourseven review (5 song sampler)

The announcement brings to an end speculation as to who would replace former lead singer Ali Campbell. The announcement marks the first in a series of collaborations by the Birmingham band on what is set to be an exciting new chapter in the bands musical legacy.

Their musical collaborations over the past three decades have included such esteemed company as the late Robert Palmer, Chrissie Hynde, Afrika Bambaataa, 808 State, John Holt, Toots Hibbert, Gregory Isaacs and Beenie Man to name but a few.

UB40 have also announced details of their long awaited album ‘Twentyfourseven’ which will be released on Monday 16th June, 2008.

The album will be the bands final recording with former member and lead singer Ali Campbell.

Maxi Priest has collaborated with UB40 on two songs for the new album. He sings with UB40, his son Marvin Priest and DJ Beniton on the timeless Marley classic “I Shot The Sheriff” while also providing lead vocal on “Dance Until The Morning Light” (the double a-sided single) which features an infectious sample loop taken from Desmond Dekker and the Aces’ groundbreaking 1968 hit ‘Israelites’.

Maxi Priest known as “The King of Lovers Rock”, has established himself as one of the top British reggae singers of all time. He is one of only two UK reggae acts (the other being UB40) to score an American Billboard #1 with the song “Close to You”, which was released in 1990. The duet with Roberta Flack – “Set the Night to Music” – also reached the U.S Top Ten in 1991.

During Maxi’s lengthy career, he has had ten successful album releases and collaborated with such musicians and artists as Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, Willie London, Beres Hammond, Shabba Ranks and Shaggy.

Duncan Campbell comes from a long standing and talented musical family, with both brothers Robin and Ali forming UB40 thirty years ago and their father, the renowned folk singer Ian Campbell whose band the Ian Campbell Group established themselves as a highly proficient live act. The band enjoyed chart triumph with their rendition of Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin”, and also had success with their eight album releases.

On joining UB40, Duncan Campbell said; “I’ve long admired UB40 as a band and always had a great respect for what Robin and Ali have contributed to the band with Astro, Brian, Earl, Norman and Jimmy. UB40 are the biggest and most successful reggae band in the world, so I was absolutely delighted and a little stunned of course to be asked to come and work with the band. Of course it’s a hugely daunting task to undertake and make sure that I do justice to the songs that I perform on. I’m not about to start jumping into Ali’s shoes, he has made an incredible contribution to the band that nobody could ever replace with such a distinctive sound. I will of course be giving it my all and contributing my own style of vocals and performance, I hope I can do justice to their great songs and that the fans will like what they hear.”

Commenting on the collaborations band member Brian Travers said; “UB40 have had a long tradition of working and collaborating with various artists over the years, Maxi Priest came out on tour with us last year and after his performance of “I Shot The Sheriff” it was a natural and logical progression to work together. Maxi has worked on two tracks for the new album with us. Duncan who is the third Campbell brother, also has a gifted voice like his two brothers. He came into the studio one day and started singing over some tracks with Robin and we were just struck by his voice, the relationship just evolved very naturally.”

Maxi Priest said; “I am thrilled to be working with UB40 who I have always held in high regard as my brothers in reggae music. UB40 are one of the greatest bands in the world, to have lasted three decades is an amazing testament to their success. The collaboration with the band came about after I joined UB40 on their UK tour in December of last year, we got on stage and started jamming the Marley song “I Shot The Sheriff” and it went down so well that the guys asked me if I would come into the studio and record it for the album. One thing led to another and in the session we came out with not one but two tracks including, Dance Until The Morning Light, which includes a sample loop from Desmond Dekker and the Aces’ record ‘Israelites’. We had a great time doing the recording and I can’t wait to perform with them again”.

‘Twentyfourseven’ represents UB40 at their creative and musical best which takes strength and inspiration from their political and social conscience, arguably producing one of their finest albums to date of original material, cover versions and collaborations.

The new album features seventeen tracks with collaborations from reggae stalwart Maxi Priest, 1 Love & Rasa Don from Arrested Development, Marvin Priest and Hunterz.

The album was recorded in Birmingham, London, Sweden, New York and Fayetteville, Georgia, USA.

UB40 on amazon.co.uk

UB40 on amazon.com

‘Twentyfourseven’ full track listing:

End Of War
Lost and Found
Dance Until The Morning Light
This Is How It Is
Rainbow Nation
Here We Go Again
I Shot The Sheriff
Oh America ! (Extended version)
Once Around
Slow Down
I’ll Be Back
Instant Radical Change Of Perception
It’s All In The Game
I’ll Be There
Middle Of The Night
Securing The Peace
The Road

UB40
UB40 Myspace

At this point it doesn’t look like tickets have sold out yet according to Live Earth on MSN Website. Tickets can be bought through Computicket.

The lineup is set to include Angelique Kidjo, Baaba Maal, Danny K, Joss Stone, The Parlotones, The Soweto Gospel Choir, UB40, Vusi Mahlasela and Zola.

For more up to date information about the artists performing at Live Earth South Africa and more, go to the Official Live Earth Blog.

More Live Earth news and opinion on Band Weblogs:

Live Earth Hamburg, Germany
Live Earth Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Live Earth Tokyo, Japan
Live Earth Shanghai, China
Live Earth Antarctica
Live Earth Australia
Live Earth Giants Stadium, USA
Live Earth London, UK