Fishbone
Sep 19, 2011
Combining equal parts of deep funk, high-energy punk, and frantic ska, the Los Angeles-based Fishbone was one of the most distinctive and eclectic alternative rock bands of the late '80s. With their hyperactive, self-conscious diversity, goofy sense of humor, and sharp social commentary, the group gained a sizable cult following.
Led by vocalist/saxophonist Angelo Moore, the band formed in 1979 while the members were still in junior high; the original lineup comprised Moore, Chris Dowd, Kendall Jones, Walter Kibby II, and John Norwood Fisher. After performing in local clubs during the early '80s, the group signed with Columbia Records in the mid-'80s, releasing a self-titled EP in 1985. The following year, Fishbone released their first full-length album, In Your Face. While it was marred by a somewhat slick production, the sheer energy of their performances burned through the slightly polished surface. In 1987, the band released the Christmas EP It's a Wonderful Life (Gonna Have a Good Time).
Truth and Soul (1988), Fishbone's second album, captured the band at their most ambitious, as they slammed back and forth between heavy metal and funk, throwing in an acoustic number and a cover of Curtis Mayfield's "Freddie's Dead" for balance. Before 1991's The Reality of My Surroundings Fishbone added second guitarist John Bigham. The album was a hit, peaking at number 49 and receiving positive reviews. While the band retained their roots in funk and ska, the 1993 album Give a Monkey a Brain and He'll Swear He's the Center of the Universe it included songs with hard rock, punk, and heavy metal elements. At the time of the album's release, the band began to tear apart internally. Just before Fishbone joined the 1993 Lollapalooza tour, guitarist Kendall Jones, reportedly suffering from mental instability, quit the band; John Norwood Fisher tracked him down and after an attempt to help him was charged with kidnapping. Fishbone was then dropped by Sony Records. Around this time, Keyboardist Christopher Dowd left Fishbone. Fishbone added more heavy metal and hardcore punk influences to their sound on the 1996 album Chim Chim's Badass Revenge on Rowdy Records.
Fishbone's maintained their dedicated fan base and achieved another major record deal with Hollywood Records in 2000. The album, Fishbone and the Familyhood Nextperience Present: The Psychotic Friends Nuttwerx, was a critical success, but saw poor sales. The band was dropped from their label and headed back on the road. In 2002, on their own independent record label, they released Live at the Temple Bar and More which contained all brand new original material recorded live throughout 2001 and 2002.
Founding members John Norwood Fisher and Angelo Moore, along with drummer John Steward, restarted Fishbone with Rocky George and Tori Ruffin on guitars (though Ruffin left soon thereafter); and Dre Gipson on keyboards. In 2005 John McKnight returned on trombone and guitar. Trumpet players during this period were Andre Holmes, Curtis Storey, Fernando Pullum, and Mervin Campbell. This line-up recorded the first Fishbone studio album in six years, Still Stuck In Your Throat, in April 2007.
Coinciding this year with the group's 25th anniversary, filmmakers Lev Anderson & Chris Metzler have directed a compelling new documentary, narrated by Laurence Fishburne. Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone is both a fascinating and brutally honest look at the band's history for longtime fans, as well as a perfect entry point for newcomers. Everyday Sunshine will open on October 7th at the ReRun Theater in Brooklyn, NY, and on October 21st at the Laemmle Sunset 5 in Los Angeles, CA. Many other cities (including Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, DC) will follow. The band is also celebrating their 25th anniversary with the release of their much-anticipated new EP, Crazy Glue, out on October 11th on DC Jam Records and a fall US tour in support of the release.
Fishbone's US Tour Dates:
- Oct 18 Los Angeles, CA Amoeba Music Hollywood
- Oct 20 Los Angeles, CA Bootleg Theatre
- Oct 25 Dallas, TX Trees
- Oct 27 Austin, TX Emo's Austin
- Oct 30 New Orleans, LA New Orleans City Park
- Nov1 Pensacola, FL Vinyl Music Hall
- Nov 2 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
- Nov 3 Gainesville, FL Double Down Live
- Nov 4 St Petersburg, FL Jannus Live
- Nov 5 Orlando, FL The Social
- Nov 6 Fort Lauderdale, FL Culture Room
- Nov 8 Charlotte, NC Tremont Music Hall/The Casbah