Fishbone, Primus highlight Rock For Choice Benefit

Security at the Palladium tightens in light of abortion clinic shootings

By Gaby Mora, Daily Bruin Staff

The biggest joke of the night, as music fans filed into the Hollywood Palladium Saturday with tickets that read "Roe v. Wade," was, "I want my money back if this ‘Roe’ band doesn’t show up."

Protecting women’s constitutional rights to have safe abortions, however, is no joke to the Feminist Majority, the nation’s largest abortion clinic support group which sponsored this year’s benefit concert, Rock for Choice.

Started by the female heavy metal band, L7, in 1991, Rock for Choice has featured such supporting bands as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Porno for Pyros and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

On the anniversary of the famous 1973 court case that established abortion rights, an array of alternative bands again showed their support of the controversial cause.

Among the abortion rights groups were Primus, Fishbone, No Doubt, Face to Face, Possum Dixom, Weapon of Choice, Geraldine Fibbers and Stone Fox. And though the young crowd was there primarily for the three biggest bands, coordinators of the event appreciate any support they can gain from people of all ages.

"It was one of the smoothest run shows we’ve ever had," says Michel Cicero, Rock for Choice coordinator. "We registered a lot of voters and got a lot of petition signatures."

The Palladium has always had the tightest security in Hollywood, with event staff ready to confiscate everything from semi automatic weapons to gum. But due to the December 30 shooting at two abortion clinics in Brookline, Mass., the caution seemed a haunting reminder of the five people who were injured, and especially of the two
receptionists who were killed.

Two large scrolls were filled with signatures sending regards to the families of both victims. And though the shootings were thousands of miles away, Cicero notes that this is indeed a threat in Southern California.

"There is currently a doctor being targeted in Riverside, and we just had someone arrested in the Van Nuys area for saying he was sent by God to stop abortions.

"We need to bring attention to the fact that abortion rights are still in jeopardy," continues Cicero, "A lot of kids aren’t aware of the terrorist climate, and since they can’t vote they can at least help to raise money for the cause."

If politics and violence didn’t get fans attention, Primus’ bass driven angst certainly rallied the large crowd into a mass of mosh and chants. After asking the crowd if they, "want to hear some of the old shit," and having an enthusiastic response, Primus did just that with "Here Come the Bastards," "Pudding Time" and "Is it Luck."

The crowd chanted "Here They Come" in unison, and Angelo Moore, lead singer of Fishbone, stepped in with a horn solo.

Performing with his own band, Moore stole the show. Though the group has moved away from their ska-motivated melodies into a heavier, guitar driven sound, Moore still balances the pace with his harmonious voice and incorporation of a variety of instruments.

And the mohawk-donning lead singer has a stage presence that is unmatchable. As he jumped from speaker to speaker and into the crowd, he never missed a note and managed to somehow continue the songs without getting entangled in the microphone cord. "Donuts, Cigarettes and Coffee" was the most popular set, though the
creative group could have presented a less monotonous and varied demonstration of their talent.

Anaheim based, No Doubt delivered an illuminating performance. Led by Gwen Steffani, the ska outfit took full advantage of their lead singer’s raw talent and moved through horn accented songs with energetic flow. It quickly became clear why fans immediately fall in love with Steffani’s genuine candor.

"Let’s Get Back," "Brand New Day" and "Trapped in a Box" were some of the old favorites the group performed, though they also added to the set a good amount of new material. In between songs, Steffani announced that if she were to become pregnant right now she would keep the baby because she personally does not believe in abortions, but she acknowledged the right for every woman to make that choice on her own. It was an intelligent statement, and stacked high against the other group leaders who were content in simply mentioning that it was a "worthy cause."

Face to Face looked like Greenday on steroids, but held balanced melodies against the hard-driven punk undertones. Weapon of Choice, obviously trying to ride on Fishbone’s coat tails, with not nearly half the talent, were not impressive. And considering the event focused on a primarily female issue, the gyrating, skinny freak girl was an offensive prop.

By all accounts, the $20 were well spent for the cause and for a good musical lineup.

MUSIC: Rock for Choice benefit. Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Hollywood Palladium.

Review found on the web : http://dailybruin.com/1995/01/23/fishbone-primus-highlight-rock/