Slightly Stoopid Brings a Lineup of Late ‘90s Vibes to the Ford Idaho Center
Sublime had mid-’90s teenagers hypnotized with their unique blend of punk, ska, and reggae, delivered with a laid-back surfer mentality. The music was cheeky and fun but also a bit dangerous. It was pure vibes with a touch of social commentary illuminating a time most Gen Xers and elder millennials remember fondly.
Bringing back those hazy memories of mischievous late-night car rides, Slightly Stoopid made their annual tour stop at the Ford Idaho Center this past Saturday, bringing Sublime with Rome and openers The Movement and Atmosphere along for the ride.
The Movement and Atmosphere held their own in the 90+ degree sun. Opening for popular acts with well-established fan bases, let alone a legacy group like Sublime, is never easy. But both bands gave the audience a good reason to brave the late afternoon heat, proving that opening acts shouldn’t be slept on.
Next to hit the stage was Sublime with Rome. The collaboration between original Sublime member Eric Wilson and solo artist Rome Ramirez caused some uneasy murmurs of “cover act” to rumble through the crowd, but they were quickly silenced when the band broke into the first chords of “April 29, 1992.” Sublime with Rome was everything the audience hoped for without being a caricature of its former self. Classics like “Wrong Way” and “Bad Fish” didn’t feel outdated or out of touch, sounding as smooth as the first day you heard them coming out of your friend’s car stereo. While Sublime with Rome will never beat the original lineup, its wistful smoke-induced nostalgia won the crowd's heart—especially those who never got to see the original.
With their dynamic mix of hardcore, reggae, funk, and blues, it’s easy to see why headliners Slightly Stoopid are a Treasure Valley favorite. While they’ve continued the legacy of Sublime by adding a touch of social commentary to their music, it’s obvious the band’s main goal is making sure everyone, including themselves, is having a good time. At one point during their set, the band led the crowd in a rendition of “Happy Birthday Muthafu—” dedicated to two July babies in the front row. Still riding on a wave of nostalgia, the group’s cover of Tom Petty’s “You Don’t Know How It Feels” hit just right as the sun went down behind the trees. Slightly Stoopid’s Grateful Dead-like tours have created a community that, unlike other throwback genres, isn’t gatekept by “those who were there first”. Last Saturday’s lineup of laid-back, reggae-infused surf punk had friends leaving at the end of the night with their arms around each other’s shoulders, professing love and adoration.
