Aug 30 1997 @ Club Utopia Nelson, BC

Just back from the Nelson 'bone show and i have to tell you right off the bat that fishbone is far from dead.

Last time i saw the boys was in Oshawa and it was a diluted crowd. This show was packed! You could not move. The band went on at 10:45 and came off at just before 2:00. I have not seen such an excited show in ages . . .people were going nuts!!

Here's my take on the show:

First thing i noticed is that Fishbone must have a new sound guy (eye-browless like Angelo!) cuz the sound is so much better than i've heard them in the past. It was very clear and and every insturment was distinct in the mix.

I loved some of the reworking they did on old songs . . . like dirty walt's badass hip-hop intro to Freddie's dead (out of sight . . . ) or the extended psycho-ska of Ground Zero.

Speaking of Dirty Walt he was by far the coolest (except maybe for Norwood...). Like the guy from Vancouver said Walt led the show, and his singing was amazing. In fact, The Goose was one of the best moments of the show.

I was just really exited to see so many people grooving to bone. And i'm sure the guys were glad too, after some of the bombs on their last tour. There were people outside freaking cuz they coudn't get in, and it turns out 'bone is playing again in Nelson as we speak.

One cool thing was when i spoke to Spacey T. This guys got an attitude, but he's a good guitarist. He knew about this list and he wanted to introduce himself to you all thru me. Unfortunatly i was a bit high (Dirty walt demanded B.C. buds and at one point the band shared a blunt with the audience, but that's another story) and stuff, here's what i remember: he was in a metal band called Sound Barrier (mad cuz i never heard of them) and he sort of fell into Fishbone thru Trullio(whatever it's called) show where he sat in. Bigham left 'bone to do solo stuff and he tried out and got the gig. I asked him what his plans are and he said he's dying to tour and record with fishbone and also do a solo album (?). Then i asked the label question and he said, "That's the thing, we're shopping". He said they are looking at a deal with Island.

I better end this rant-review. Sorry it's so long. And do not miss a chance to see the 'bone . . .

Vanessa Cox

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