After being somewhat lulled by perhaps the oddest opening act I've yet to
see at a Fishbone show -- The Blazers: a Rockabilly/Chicano band from East
LA. Ever heard a cumbia before a Fishbone show? "It's too bizarre...." --
Angelo wanders out with his sax and starts a tootin'. The boys take their
positions and start a little groove. Walter calmly asks if we're in the
mood for some ska. "Fishy Swa Ska.... Fishy Swa Ska.... bamm. Some
technical difficulties stop it for a second and then a 2 hour feeding
frenzy begins when the party at ground zero begins with an abrupt blast
and Walter's ever popular "Rock the fuck out y'all". Covered with the
first of several glasses of beer tossed randomly into the air I join the
small but rowdy mass stomping happily to our favorite sound: freaky fishes
fucking it up.
The energy instantaneously returns. Ugly.... Question of Life.... Ma and
Pa.... The new one "Just Allow" -- that puppy just might get our boys
where they belong at the head of this new fascination with ska. I dug it.
And if we can get whatever record label who signs them to actually
*promote them properly* and get them the respect deserved who knows what
the next year could hold for our beloved 'Bone -- Housework.... Wish I had
A Date.... Cholly.... Behavior Control Tech.... Sunless Saturday.... Give
it Up.... Lemon Meringue (whoa).... The Goose.... Lyin' Ass Bitch
(dedicated quite amusingly to "the muthafuckin' record biz").... Skankin'
to the Beat.... Swim (had the pleasure of floating atop my familyhood
bros. and sistas for a goodly portion of this one-- thanks y'all)...
Riot.... encore with Alcoholic..... oof-da.
Despite some sound problems (Angelo was clearly pretty pissed about this)
and some stupid-ass security pendejos who took it upon themselves to toss
anyone who got on stage headlong to the floor, rather than "just allow"ing
us to do what we always do -- get down with the boys for a moment and take
a dive into the pool -- this show was a definate ass-kicker. I almost
dragged one of the security shmucks in once when I got up there during
"Lyin' Ass Beeyatch" and during Alcoholic one courageous bro. grabbed
*two* of the bozos and dragged 'em over the edge and clunking to the
floor. Hope they remember it. heh. They just don't get it, man. After the
show one of 'em wouldn't even hand me the set list taped to the monitor
right beside him. I'm like, "bro. it's tradition. This is a FISHBONE
show!" I instead watch him take it and throw it backstage. Ah well.

"Please have no fear, cuz Fishbone is here to stay....."

They never cease to amaze me. Don't miss 'em if they come your way in the
next few weeks.

Talked to the merchandise dude before the show and he told me that they
hadn't reached any record deal with anyone and it sounded like it wasn't
going all that well. Hmm.... Was hoping they would play some more new
stuff cuz I heard that they had a bunch of it. Next time.
Also talked for a sec. with Angelo and gave him my band's demo! Hopefully
a little return on all the booty shakin' bad ass toons they've given US.

peace.

-Jeff
Albuquerque, NM