I gotta tell you about my experiences last week-end with what's left
of Fishbone. I saw them up in Taos, NM at some festival. 2 Skinnee J's
played too (they fucking rocked). All in all it was pretty decent, I
guess. Got to hang on the bus and meet some of the crew, videotaped us and
all. Fun day, for a while. If someone didn't know any better they would
prolly say Fishbone rocked too. Played a buncha old stuff, crunched out
big-time too. Real mixed set. But to someone who's seen them 12 times they
were "ok" at best. It was the first time I've seen them without Fish.
The mark of a kick-ass drummer (or any instrument) is that when they are
no longer in the mix the band does not WORK. Fish was and is a kick-ass
drummer. Fishbone does not work without him. I play drums and I cannot
tell you how much I noticed his absence. The new dude (replacement of
Fish's replacement, name is James - really nice guy) is a good drummer,
had some wicked grooves. In another band he might rule. But I must say you
cannot take the backbone out of a Fishbone and keep it a Fishbone. I ain't
doggin' the new guy, I'm saying unless Fish somehow returns, there seems
to me little way possible that our beloved Bone is going anywhere. Or
anywhere with the old tunes. With all new stuff, maybe.
i.e.
The Meters without Zigaboo Modeliste. no way
Led Zep without John Bonham. yea right
The Who without Keith Moon. bah humbug.

Ok, a drummer's perspective perhaps. Of course I'll notice that WAY more
than other people. What anyone can notice, however, is a lead singer too
FUCKED UP to sing, and puking 4-5 times DURING the show, a band trying to
stay together while waiting for the singer to get back on stage.
Come on....
I have to say I was pretty bummed out after this show. I tried to go my
usual nutts when I see Fishbone play. Tried to shake my ass. Tried for about
20 minutes. Tried. But that's just it, I felt like I was *trying*. I
always tried to put aside the blows when other members left Fishbone,
first Special K, then Chris, then John, now Fish. Believing they were
still the best damn live band on the planet. And *every time* they proved
me right..... until now.
I'm not living in the past and wishing they'd all get back together. I'm
saying what I saw last week-end was some great fucking musicians
sliding... without the edge that defined them as one of the best goddamm
musical happenings we've ever known. Angelo jumped around a bit when he
could. Sang ok, but bro. was wasted.
I tried to laugh some of it off, "rock n' roll, man".....
When asking Angelo and Norwood about recording and a label deal they were
elusive at best. Said something about "Hollywood records"?? They didn't
play any new stuff.

I've heard other rumors about some serious drug shit going on. All the
record biz BS and lack of national respect and recognition aside, someone
on the inside PLEASE tell me this was an isolated incident, that me seeing
Fishbone fuck up a show big-time was a one-time deal. Someone tell me that
I'll see Angelo or Norwood sober again.... They weren't just high.
Someone who knows them better, tell 'em we still care.

please.

Sorry to be a party-pooper, but I know better. This wasn't "FISHBONE....
the baddest band in the wooorrrrrlld."

This is one fucking bummed out Bonehead....

-jeff

[ed: later found out that Angelo had food poisoning from jerk chicken]