Fishbone set to chokeAustralian audiences

Thu 29th Mar, 2007 in Features

“The American music industry still has a huge racist element – especially when it comes to an all black band playing rock and roll. It would much easier for us if we played to the stereotypes that the industry has in place. We’d be huge if we were an R’n’B band.”

Despite being in one of the most original alternative bands of our time, it seems that Angelo Moore, vocalist, saxophonist and thereminist of Fishbone, still has a lot to conquer since first shattering an abundance of musical boundaries some 20 years ago.

“America is a lot harder to break especially if you are doing an eclectic act. Fishbone has about four or five different things going on, sometimes at the one time. It confuses people.”

When asked why he thought America, in particular, still found it difficult to accept an act as musically diverse as Fishbone into mainstream consciousness, Moore believes that it comes down to cultural reasons. “You’ve got one main language which is English, equaling one culture,” he explains. “You’ve got a whole bunch of people over a wide area and it’s all kind of linear. In Europe, there are a lot of other languages and different cultures and they’re all very close together. So it’s easier for a band like Fishbone to communicate our message in other countries because of the different lyrical and musical styles – it makes it easier for people to find something in it to relate to.”

Although being widely regarded as being at the forefront of the funk/rock/metal/rap genre that would become popular in the 1990s, Fishbone’s commercial success did not match that of bands that were heavily influenced by them, including Red Hot Chili Peppers and Faith No More, two bands which Australia enthusiastically embraced. Moore states that while he harbours no ill feelings towards either of those bands at all. “Our subject matter is a lot more challenging than most of our contemporaries and we can’t ignore what’s happening in our society,” he says. “We feel we have to write that in our music and in our lyrics. In different styles so it transcends various audiences.”

Fishbone first gained the world’s attention with their unique and highly energetic live shows and ventured to our shores in the early ‘90s. Now, after an almost 20-year gap, they return to promote their eighth album Still Stuck in Your Throat. “We just want to release the record and have everyone come down to the shows, enjoy it and catch a feeling,” Moore answers thoughtfully when asked about what he was looking forward to the most about touring Australia. “It’s taken us so long to come back because of all the personnel changes. You know, there’s been a whole lot of writing, recording, different members and getting our shit together. We’re ready to come back and switch it on for everyone.”

Throughout Fishbone’s career, a great importance has been placed on experimentation, both within the writing process and performances. This aesthetic eventually saw Angelo begin his love affair with the theremin, an esoteric electronic instrument invented during the early 1900s, when he walked passed the instrument and heard its eerie sci-fi tones, whilst recording Fishbone’s 1996 album Chim Chim’s Badass Revenge.  “Hell yeah I’m bringing that out at the shows!  My band mates used to hate it at the studio when I first started trying to learn how to play but now I’m pretty good!!” he chuckles.

“Experimentation is so important in keeping everything sounding fresh.  If you do the same thing all the time it becomes stale.  All the members in the band are doing their own thing, everybody’s busy with their side projects.  I’ve recorded and I perform my poetry under my alter ego Dr Madd Vibe, and our bass player, Norwood Fisher, has a project called Trulio Disgracias.  Constantly creating keeps everything new.”

It is this drive for constant creativity that explains why Fishbone has continued to stay relevant and inspiring to both their fanbase and the numerous musicians who have been part of Fishbone’s enigmatic journey. Moore confesses that Fishbone are in fact not unlike most bands and have their fair share of ups and downs. “Oh, there are many creative differences, but we find a way to compromise enough to where we can stay together and keep Fishbone alive,” he says. “Fishbone has attracted all these great musicians over the years because there’s so much going on. They love what Fishbone means and the messages it sends out”.

It seems that attention has once again rightfully returned to the band, stemming from not only the release of Still Stuck in Your Throat, but also their appearance as the house band in Outkast’s movie, ‘Idlewild’, in David Arquette’s directorial debut, The Tripper, and the video clip for Christina Aguilera’s Ain’t No Other Man, all of which Moore hopes will help switch new audiences onto the magic of Fishbone.

Still Stuck in Your Throat is out April 7 on 3 Wise Records. Fishbone’s impending Australian tour is sure to attract an already passionate and devoted following, whom they affectionately refer to on the road as ‘The Familyhood’, but don’t expect your average family night out when you see Fishbone rip up the stage at the following:

April 5: The Arena, Brisbane
April 7: BluesFest 2007, Byron Bay
April 8: The Great Escape Festival, Sydney
April 9: Metro Theatre, Sydney
April 11: The Billboard, Melbourne