Hi friends,
Just got back from Brasil (wow) and just in time to grab a new Bone CD
and see them play in Albuquerque, NM this evening. If that ain't a
welcome back I dunno what is. I am thoroughly pooped right now, but wanted
to pass on that the band was *tight*, much more than the last 2 shows I
saw. I was quite impressed with the grooves they hit esp. during the new
funk/reggae/ska shit. Plus Lemon Meringue was ILL. Fine, damn fine.
I'll give a full review manana, but check this out before I pass out
on my bed: cruising down to the club to check out the ticket situation
around 2pm when who do I see walking down the blvd than Mr. Mad Hatter,
Madd Vibe himself. Zoot suit shouting out "It can only be Fishbone!" We
greet each other, start rapping a bit. He says he needs to fix 2 saxes and
wonders where the music stores are. Well, Mr. Local Musician takes him on
a little tour of Albuquerque to SOS the saxes. Spent a good chunk of the
afternoon hanging with Mr. Angelo and had some good chats re: everything
from Brasilian Percussion (he was so excited I made him a
tape of Chico Science & Nacao Zumbi and Olodum and Ile Aiye for his
grooving pleasure) to the CD reviews to the new disc to his daughter to
fucked up equipment to Brasilian women to the internet and the email list
to the gig and the wack radio stations in Alb. He sends his love to the
list. Great afternoon. Bro is a helluva mellower in the
afternoons! haha. I'll type more when I'm a bit more conscious. Next
one on the list to hang with Angelo ask him about the Brasilian music tape
that Jeff in Alb. swung his way!! :>

peaceeeeeee..........

Jeff Duneman

After the nice afternoon chilling w/ Angelo and some of the crew (see
pt. I review below), I recruited some people to go down to the show and
headed down to check out the opening bands. Workhorse (I think was the
name) reminded me of like a Molotov meets Limp Bizkit rock the hell out
funk type thing. Pretty cool, lots of energy. Then Slightly Stoopid did a
dub meets Sublime reggae meets punk rock. They were ok, the highlight
being a cover of "Minor Threat" by Minor Threat. I thought they were not
real tight for a dub band, bass a little behind the drums, etc. but it was
ok. They played a little too long.

Fishbone eased on in shortly after and I was immediately impressed by the
very noticable difference in the tightness of the band. Honestly the last
few times I saw them (summer '98 and Spring '99) I was fairly disappointed
with the sloppiness of the shows (the drum cues, etc.). As a drummer, I
just missed Fish! It was way too obvious that they hadn't had a lot of
rehearsal with the new dudes. This time, however, it was on. The
drummer, James, was kicking some sick shit. Even nailed the greasy
mega-funk on Lemon Meringue. IMHO, that drum line is one of the most
amazing things Fish ever did and I must say James was on it. They started
with some hyper ska old school shit and then started working in the new
grooves and to be honest I was more impressed with the slower funk and
reggae off the new disc. I suppose my altered state of IRIE contributed to
that, but... haha. The band was a tight as I've seen them since like
'97. And they were really enjoying the show. The crowd was decent for a
Monday night in Alb. but of course still far short of what we expect of
the baddest band in the world. The club was prolly half to 2/3rds full
when the show started, but thinned out a bit by the end. I had told them
earlier in the afternoon that Monday was a very rough night in Alb. People
just do not go out on Monday here! That given, I was impressed by the
original turn out.
Angelo did about 3 poems during various parts of the show. Stuff I hadn't
heard before. Nice. He dedicated Lyin Ass Bitch to mothers who don't let
their childrens' fathers see them. Ouch. Norwood rapped a lot last
nite. Did his little shpeel on Lemon Meringue. You know the
one. haha. They seemed to be really enjoying it and the crowd was pretty
noisy which was nice. Mellow, no crazy pits, but ya know how it is. I saw
Boneheads I didn't know existed in Alb. People singing along, sporting
shirts, etc. I really didn't think they existed here! :> I was able to get
some really good photos, which I will try to post to my soon to be new
homepage asap.

Setlist from what I can remember (not in exact order):
Alcoholic
Ugly
Question of Life
Where'd Ya Get Those Pants
Give It Up
When Problems Arise
Bonin'
Lemon Meringue
One Planet People
Cholly
Freddie's Dead
The Suffering
Ma and Pa
Aids & Armegeddon
Lyin' Ass Bitch
It All Kept Startin' Over Again
Just Allow
Sunless Saturday
Party At Ground Zero

Long, nice, music school by Fishbone. I am digging the new album as
well. Only good things to say about the funk they hit on this disc. I like
the mellower ska too. The production is clearly set up for radio play and
there's no doubt that 4 or 5 tunes could be all over the radio. But it
will take Hollywood and/or us to push the shit like mad on radios. It
ain't just gonna appear. I hope Hollywood really attempts some radio
promotion, esp. with all the rock star special guests on this
album! Angelo said something when we were talking about the new album, he
kinda laughed and said "yeah, it's the 'Save Fishbone' album." The
Suffering I can definately hear fitting in, as well as the funk shit. Of
course, we've had this discussion before. Fishbone does not lack
commerically viable tunes in any way, shape or form. It's promotion and
good business decisions they have lacked. Everybody is a Star could be
huge just because of the guests and the fact it's a classic tune. We'll
see. Request that shit on your radio stations! They also need to get
hooked up on some serious tour with some major act. I suggested to Angelo
they do an old school Bone/RHCP tour. He thought that would be a good
idea. But I guess that would be the Pepper's call at this point!

Fishbone was on and that makes my undesired return transition to
gringolandia a little easier! Still dreaming Brasilian percussion.....
I hope Angelo digs that tape I made for him! I have no doubt he'll be
all over it if he didn't lose it during the show last nite! :>

-jeff d.