Slightly Stoopid, one of southern California’s favorite Reggae infused party bands, brought a marathon jam to the Ventura Fairgrounds, Friday, October 9. The show was part of the Concerts in Your Car series, which brought a full season of shows to the outdoor venue. In addition to Slightly Stoopid, other highlights over the summer included Cypress Hill, Sublime, Snoop Dog, Tower of Power, Los Lobos, and Fitz and The Tantrums.
The Friday night show featured no less than 29 songs, including classic covers and select tracks culled from the bands 13 albums. The SS entourage, which formed back in 1994 in Ocean Beach, California, plays their soulful mix of folk, rock, Reggae, and blues with hip-hop, funk, metal, and punk thrown in for good measure. The band led by Guitarist and vocalist Miles Doughty and bass player and vocalist Kyle McDonald tore through the set, offering up positive vibes to a packed parking lot, with fans encircling the stage. The two frontmen took advantage of the 360-degree stage to prance about singing in all directions. The pair's performance included their signature move of swapping instruments and lead vocals. RyMo (Ryan Moran) kept the band on a steady beat with precision drumming. Meanwhile, he was perfectly augmented by OG (Oguer Ocon) playing multiple percussion instruments. DeLa (Daniel Delacruz) on sexy saxophone and Andy Geib on thundering trombone added a horn section to the mix. Paul Wolstencroft blended into the sound perfectly with his moody keyboard riffs. The group has become a veteran jam band playing regularly at most every major music festival in the country. Their numerous collaborations have cemented their status in the upper echelons of the improvisational jam music world.
On this beautiful fall night in Ventura, the band did not disappoint their fans, jamming many of their most well-known tunes. Midway through the set, the group brought out their first special guest, Angelo Moore, famous as the Fishbone lead singer and saxophonist. Moore and his bandmates in Fishbone are some of the unsung heroes of funky punky fusion music, forming way back in the heyday of Los Angeles punk in 1979. As the lead singer of Fishbone, Angelo led the group in legendary animated live performances mixing ska, punk, funk, metal, Reggae, and soul. The veteran frontman wearing his trademark derby and a stylish kilt joined Slightly Stoopid for an inspiring version of the ska drenched tune, “Ska Diddy.” The rambunctious singer began by playing Theremin, giving the song a haunting introduction. As a literal whirling Derby, he pranced across the stage and began playing clarinet before joining in the song's chorus.
The surprises didn’t stop there, though, as Angelo returned to play Theremin again later in the set, while guest singer Marlon Asher took over lead vocals for two songs. The Trinidadian reggae singer from Enterprise, Chaguanas, Trinidad, and Tobago brought a traditional Reggae style to the tunes, including one of his own, “Ganga Farmer.” The evening ended with the band jamming some of their most well-known songs, as many in the drive-in crowd were dancing euphorically in front of their cars.
The music continues at the Concerts In Your Car series this weekend with something completely different. Television personality Bob Eubanks who produced the first two Beatles tours in the US will host a Q and A and rare video clips in what he has titled a night “Backstage With The Beatles.” On Saturday, October 17, the event will also feature the Beatles tribute band Ticket To Ride and should be a fun family event.
In what seems like the perfect venue across from Surfers Point, the legendary Beach Boys bring their hit songs to the venue on Friday, October 23. “As The Beach Boys mark more than a half-century of making music, the group continues to ride the crest of a wave unequaled in America’s musical history. The Beach Boys have become synonymous with the California lifestyle and have become an American icon to fans worldwide. The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million records worldwide and have received more than 33 RIAA Platinum and Gold record awards.” The next evening, Saturday, October 24, original members of the classic New Wave hit-making band, Oingo Boingo, will bring their traditional Halloween show to the fairgrounds. The band will rock the night with high energy classics like “Dead Man’s Party,” “Weird Science,” “Just Another Day," and many more. Acoustic rockers Aaron Lewis and Sully Erna will take over the venue on Halloween night, no doubt including hits from their respective rock groups Stained and Godsmack.
Concerts In Your Car also includes a regular calendar of hit movies. The venue has taken maximum precautions to be COVID safe and, with one price for a carload, has become a family friendly event for concerts and movies.
The first act to be announced for November includes the celebrated band 311, performing on Saturday, November 14. Founded in Omaha, Nebraska, they have been inspiring their fans for three decades with their signature blend of rock, Reggae, hip hop, and funk. CBF Productions has also now expanded Concerts in Your Car to Del Mar, California, and Arizona. More performances will be added throughout the month - visit www.concertsinyourcar.com for regular updates.
