Following a mildly satisfying set by local ska-metalheads the Salads, the hungry Lee's Palace crowd anxiously awaited main course Fishbone. Despite the departure of original drummer Fish, negligible radio support and being dropped from their label, the L.A. survivors are holding things together. What's kept Fishbone going all these years is fan support fed by legendary performances boasting formidable musical chops and the frenzied stage-diving antics of charismatic frontman Angelo Moore. Thursday night Fishbone did not disappoint, cooking up a barrage of ska, funk and punk at a dizzying rate. Bands may come and go, but the 'Bone is here to stay.

http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2002-10-17/music_tonotes.php

Saw FB in Toronto on Thursday night and a few things came to light. One, as I expected there were more people at this show than the show in back in April. There were three important thing missing (Keisha, Tina and Nerre) but I made the best of it. Hey Nerre, the sweater's in the cleaners so I wore a jean shirt this time.

The crowd seemed HUNGRY for Fishbone with some punk and funk on the side. I can't remember the last time that a Toronto crowd seemed so pumped to see Fishbone. Unfortunately, I'm a people watcher and over the last eight years when FB came to town the crowd seemed more curious than excited to see the band. This time however, there was something in the air. From the get go people were hooked. No longer was there apprehension to let one's self go.
It didn't hurt matters much that they started the show with a fierce rendition of Bonin' followed by Sunless Saturday, once the usual openers (Doctor Madd Vibe and Nutmeg World) were done.

Those who worried about this being another "HITS" show were soon relieved as the band tore the roof off with Skank and Go Nuttzzz. This song has crossover hit written all over it IMO. It's the first time that I've seen it performed live and I know that it will be a staple in their shows from this point on. Wet Daddy said that they have a video for it (but we've all heard that one b4). I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and I would like to know when they plan to make it available to notMuchMusic. I'll be calling their ass everyday until I gets me some satisfaction.

Back to the show, as I said by no means was it a HITS show as they played 4 or 5 songs from Temple Bar, which might I add were extremely well received from the crowd (especially Skank...) The merch booth was lined up for quite some time after the show which was also a great sign. I bought WOC's Illoominutty disc and the production is way better than the boot that's been circulating on the list. It also comes with an extra track (Soda Pop).
It's like buying a remastered disc. Definitely worth the $15 Cdn.

If last Thurday's show was any indication I truly believe that Fishbone has turned the corner and are currently heading home. I was sorry to read Tony's review of the London crowd but hey, it's London , Ontario, the home of Western University what do you expect.

I wish the band all of the best overseas, I hope that they're so successful that I don't see them for at least another two years. Hopefully I'll have my chance to send them off properly at their last show in North America for quite some time, in Guelph, Ont. on Tuesday.

I know that there's been some bad vibes going on lately with some list members not being to receptive to the new FB material. I'm the last person to tell you what to like and what not to like but, nobody's listening. The band ain't listening I'm not listening and others that dig the shit aren't listening. I mean, we hear you but we ain't listening!! This music is nothing "NEW" for the band. They've been rocking out for 10 years, get over it. Yeah, the production value of the record sucks, I have boots from the Chim Chim tour with better production value than Temple Bar. These are simply not not disposable songs, where you listen to them a couple of times and throw them away. These are songs that you get something new out of them with every listen. THIS IS A SELF FINANACED LIVE RECORD!! Soldiers, now that FB are calling the shots with their own label, a record like Nutwerxx will never see the light of day again. Yes, there will be pop elements strewn throughout the record with songs like DEvil Made... and Heat of Anger but that's it. The guys are taking no prisoners and they basically are going out the way they want to go out. You never know, some people on the list are only now getting in to Chim Chim (6 years later) It's all good.

Temple Bar is just a taste of where this band's going. I can't belive that I'm waiting for a 2003 release from Fishbone. Frey'd and a new version of Let dem Hoe's Fight done properly with Angelo on lead vocals have already been recorded for the release.

Long Live Fishbone

J. Wo

I, too, was thoroughly impressed with the Fishbone show in Toronto on Thursday night. If I sound like a 29 year-old whitey it's because I am! Hehehe. But
seriously... I've loved 'Bone since Truth & Soul came out so give me some credit!

I brought two friends with me who would say that their favourite band is Van Halen and they both loved the show. The most Fishbone they ever heard was the CD I put on in the car on the way over. Soooo... my point is that Fishbone still has more than what it takes to win over a crowd.

I'm a huge Funkadelic fan and Spacey's Eddie Hazel tribute during the encore was amazing. i just saw GC a little over a month ago at The Kee To Bala so the
P-vibes were still flowing strong. Any other keen listeners hear "Mommy, What's a Funkadelic?" during the chorus of "Shakey Ground?"

I work every other week at a summer camp up in Muskoka and I wish I was heading up on Sunday so I could catch 'Bone one more time at The Kee before they head out to Europe. Hopefully it won't be too long before they're back in T.O.!

Later,

Chris Engler