Mar 27 2000 @ Launch Pad Albuquerque, NM

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 shi...

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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.

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