The Doggfather and Slightly Stoopid not toning it down for Utah

For Slightly Stoopid, the 2009 concert tour needed some change. "At the beginning of the year, we knew we wanted to do something big and different," said drummer Ryan Moran of the California-based reggae-rock band that has developed a huge following because of its laid-back attitude.

Something "big and different," Moran said in a phone interview, turned out to be none other than rapper Snoop Dogg.

Snoop Dogg refered to Slightly Stoopid as his "loved ones and family" in an e-mail interview. "They're also younger than me, and that's why I call them my nephews. We both down with a lotta of the same thangs and they real good people."

Slightly Stoopid and Snoop Dogg are co-headlining the "Blazed and Confused Tour,"

which is stopping in West Valley City July 20. The name is a reference to the marijuana both musical acts openly use to add to the partying vibe of their concerts. (By the way, Usana Amphitheatre restricts smoking to designated areas only.)

This tour is actually sponsored not by Mary Jane, but by a Dutch vodka company, Olifant Vodka. Moran said that in addition to "knocking on wood" that his band and Snoop Dogg don't get busted by West Valley City police, there will be plenty of vodka backstage. "I like orange Gatorade, vodka and a splash of soda water. You stay hydrated and get a buzz at the same time," Moran said.

Slightly Stoopid is not as well known as the Doggfather, but the band has steadily increased in popularity

since being signed by the late Bradley Nowell of Sublime (before Nowell died from a heroin overdose). The band has released two live albums out of eight total. Its sixth studio album, titled "Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid," was released in July 2008.

Snoop Dogg will release his newest release, "Malice in Wonderland," later this year. "Classic, timeless, bangin', West Coast, dope music" is how he described the project. "It's droppin' fourth quarter, so it's gonna

be around Thanksgiving time. You gotta save tha best for last in 2009, ya dig?"

Snoop Dogg continues to remain relevant in the rap world, which can be a fickle community always looking for the next emcee. "I'm Snooperman," the rapper said as to his consistent popularity. "I go in tha booth and I get it done. Clark Kent ain't got nuthin' on me. Ya dig?"

The 27-year-old rap legend from Long Beach (just like Nowell) always requests video-game systems on his concert riders, and the rapper's music will be featured on an upcoming edition of the popular video game "Rock Band." "That's definitely one of my top hobbies," Snoop Dogg said. "Whether it's at home in my Mancave or in Russia on tour, I gotta make sure and have my video games. Snooperman don't leave the crib without 'em."

The rapper has also partnered with the Park City-based audio company Skullcandy to develop headphones that have more pronounced bass, specifically marketed to rap listeners, and he refers to Clarke Miyasaki, vice president of business development at Skullcandy, as his homey. "I've been wearin' Skullcandy for a long time," he said. "My homey Clarke used to see pics of me in magazines goin' thru the airport with them on. So when we stopped in SLC last summer with 311, I come to my dressing room and they laced out tha whole crew, myself, and more than you could ask for. They real good people with a dope product so it was only right to do business with them, ya dig?"

Snoop Dogg said he was energized to perform this summer at outdoor amphitheaters. "We there to have a good time and put on a great show," he said. "It's gonna be tha party of 2009 and it's gonna be a blast. If you can't dig that, Jack, than keep yo punk a-- at home and stay on the cell phone. Chuuch!!!"

I don't know what "Chuuch" means, either, and I'm a music writer.