Mar 12 1997 @ The Edge Palo Alto, CA

I was there, and I have this to say: no excuses. If Fishbone's coming through your neighborhood (hell, if they're coming through your *state*) on this tour, forget about everything and just go. I don't know what happened to them, but last night, they played with more energy and intensity than I've ever seen, and I've seen 'em a lot.

No new guitarist, but there *was* a keyboardist. I don't know who he was--he was never introduced and I didn't have a chance to ask anybody. And he wasn't just a keyboardist--he did background vocals and every once in a while he'd pull out this enormous trumpet that made Walt's look like a two-inch cock. (Or maybe it wasn't a trumpet? I'm not too good at identifying the various brass instruments...) They've also added a second percussionist, who sat next to Fish and didn't seem to make a whole lot of difference.

Over the course of their two-hour set/encore, they played pretty much everything...a good mix of shit from all of the albums. Here's the (very extensive) set list:

Party at Ground Zero / Housework / Question of Life / Ma and Pa / Skankin' to the Beat / Beergut / Give It Up / Sunless Saturday / Rock Star / V.T.T.L.O.T.F.D.G.F. / Behavior Control Technician / Nutt Megalomaniac / Sourpuss / Fishy Swa Ska / Unyielding Conditioning / Love Hate / A Selection / Lyin' Ass Bitch / Alcoholic / "Simon Says" the Kingpin / Deep Inside / Riot / ENCORE: Cholly / Ugly

I don't know what else to say: I saw Fishbone playing at their peak, and I'm once again at peace with the world.

--Albert

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