Written by Elizabeth Miranda
Cover photo by @cielzgallery on instagram
From Charlotte, North Carolina, The Stoned Toads are a three-piece funk metal band fusing slap-heavy grooves with exhilarating riffs. The lineup features Dante Campese, the band’s bassist and current lead vocalist, alongside Owen Clark on drums and Jude Tuggle on guitar. This interview took place on February 28, 2026, in the room where the band rehearses four times a week. A huge shoutout to Van Laster and Liam Schwartz for handling all the audio, photography, and recording.
The three-piece first crossed paths three to four years ago during their freshman year of high school, starting in the most unexpected place; the boys restroom. Dante walked in one day and noticed a note on the wall; “Drum and Base needed for band” with a phone number attached underneath – but “bass” was spelled “base.” Naturally, Dante texted the number saying, “Hey, you spelled ‘bass’ wrong, you idiot.” Jude shot back; “Yeah, and I’m looking for idiots to jam with.” From that moment on, Dante and Jude were inseparable. A couple of years later, Owen happened to be working with Jude’s older brother, who introduced the two. Jude then brought Owen into the mix with Dante, eventually forming the three-piece we know today.
For an in-depth look at The Stoned Toads creative process and the inspiration that drives their music, the full interview offers their perspective told from the band members themselves — plus a few laughs, some stories, and a clip of their favorite song.
Click here to watch the full video or type in @Viloxra on youtube.
fuelthescene.com 