Fishbone
Combining equal parts of deep funk, high-energy punk, and frantic ska, the Los Angeles-based Fishbone was one of the most distinctive and eclectic alternative rock bands of the late '80s. With their hyperactive, self-conscious diversity, goofy sense of humor, and sharp social commentary, the group gained a sizable cult following during the late '80s, yet they were never able to earn a mainstream audience.
Led by vocalist/saxophonist Angelo Moore, the band formed in 1979 while the members were still in junior high; the original lineup comprised Moore, Chris Dowd, Kendall Jones, Walter Kibby II, and John Norwood Fisher. After performing in local clubs during the early '80s, the group signed with Columbia Records in the mid-'80s, releasing a self-titled EP in 1985. The following year, Fishbone released their first full-length album, In Your Face. While it was marred by a somewhat slick production, the sheer energy of their performances burned through the slightly polished surface. In 1987, the band released the Christmas EP It's a Wonderful Life (Gonna Have a Good Time).
Truth and Soul (1988), Fishbone's second album, captured the band at their most ambitious, as they slammed back and forth between heavy metal and funk, throwing in an acoustic number and a cover of Curtis Mayfield's "Freddie's Dead" for balance. The album expanded their audience and charted at number 153. However, the band didn't record a new album for another three years. In the meantime, they made two EPs -- Ma and Pa (1989) and Bonin' in the Boneyard (1990) -- which basically comprised several B-sides. Before 1991's The Reality of My Surroundings Fishbone added second guitarist John Bigham. The Reality of My Surroundings didn't depart from the band's reckless eclecticism; it refined it. The album was a hit, peaking at number 49 and receiving positive reviews. However, the record didn't establish the band as a mainstream success, nor did 1993's Give a Monkey a Brain and He'll Swear He's the Center of the Universe, despite their appearance at the third Lollapalooza.
Even when the third wave ska revival began to rise to popularity in 1996, Fishbone was left behind, as their 1996 record Chim Chim's Bad Ass Revenge -- their first album for Arista -- was ignored, as was the double-disc compilation Fishbone 101: Nuttasaurusmeg Fossil Fuelin. Despite their poor sales, the group remained a popular concert attraction, issuing the all-star Psychotic Friends Nuttwerx in the spring of 2000. Unfortunately, Hollywood Records had little support for the album and it disappeared after a few disappointing months. They were dropped from the label the following summer, with side projects and various other things keeping them busy during this rough period. An EP featuring a 20-minute jam with Primus, entitled Friendliest Psychosis of All, was released on their own label in the spring of 2002, followed by a live album full of new songs, Live at the Temple Bar and More, in the summer. In 2006 their album Still Stuck in Your Throat appeared in Europe. It arrived in the U.S. in April the next year.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
Discography
26 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Fishbone
Reggae - Released by Bottles to the Ground on 26 May 2023
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Estranged Fruit
Reggae - Released by Bottles to the Ground on 10 May 2023
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Give A Monkey A Brain And He'll Swear He's The Center Of The Universe
Pop/Rock - Released by Columbia on 20 May 1993
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
It's A Wonderful Life (Gonna Have A Good Time)
Alternative & Indie - Released by Columbia - Legacy on 30 Nov 1987
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Racist Piece of Shit
Alternative & Indie - Released by Consigliere on 1 Nov 2024
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
The Reality Of My Surroundings
Pop/Rock - Released by Columbia on 18 Apr 1991
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Fishbone 101--Nuttasaurusmeg Fossil Fuelin' The Fonkay
Pop/Rock - Released by Columbia - Legacy on 7 Apr 2014
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
The Essential Fishbone
Rock - Released by Legacy Recordings on 7 Apr 2014
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Fishbone & The Familyhood Nextperience Presents The Psychotic Friends Nuttwerx
Rock - Released by Hollywood Records on 21 Mar 2000
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
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The Essential Fishbone
Pop/Rock - Released by Columbia - Legacy on 17 Feb 2003
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
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Chim Chim's Badass Revenge
Pop/Rock - Released by Arista on 20 Oct 1996
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Still Stuck in Your Throat
Rock - Released by Sound In Color on 23 Oct 2006
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Crazy Glue
Alternative & Indie - Released by DC-Jam Records on 11 Oct 2011
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Bonin' in the Boneyard EP
Rock - Released by Columbia - Legacy on 1 Jan 1990
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Playlist: The Very Best Of Fishbone
Pop/Rock - Released by Columbia - Legacy on 28 May 2010
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Whipper Snapper
Punk / New Wave - Released by DC-Jam Records on 26 Feb 2013
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Good Times
Reggae - Released by Ineffable Records on 31 May 2019
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -