Mar 05 2005 @ File 7 Magny Le Hongre, FR

Around 23:00 Fishbone started playing. First the setlist: (written as on the setlist) RU WIT IT ALL KEPT STARTING ALCOHOLIC FACE PLANT SUB FASC FREDDY GLASSES FOREVER MOORE GO NUTTZ MA/PA UGLY BEER GUT JACKASS SUNLESS SERVITUDE ---------- SUFFERING LYIN ASS BITCH ---------- EVERY DAY PARTY

Everything was played, apart from Every Day Sunshine, which was dropped on the suggestion of the tour manager, according to Norwood. Can't have it all, I suppose. The show ended around 01:30, giving a good 2,5 hours of Fishbone.

Right from the start spirits were high and we were seeing Cabaret Fishbone, with jokes, little onstage staged acts. (a bit hazy, but they did some WWF style wrestling and some drunkenness and Angelo did quite a bit of 30's revue style handwaving)

I'm not too sure what to make of it, some of it was a bit naff, afaic, but I did like other parts. Throughout the show, there was also some syncronized dancing from different people at different times, all done with big grins, which added to the show, imo. http://arno.meulenkamp.net/pics/fishbone_20050305/img_0183

Added to the show where a few Maddvibe type things, including a gospel version of Junkies Prayer, a roaring twenties (Jelly Roll type piano playing) version of a rant against the music industry and some other Maddvibe things that I can't remember anymore. Also a song was played, soulful, with lyrics talking about "good times". It was very familiar, but I can't put my finger on it. Maybe it's from a commercial?

At the start of Alcoholic, Norwood mentioned: "I'd much rather smoke weed!" and after a slight pause, adding "today". It seemed to be a shared feeling, because I didn't get the impression that any of them were drunk, not Rocky George, not anyone. Nor were they completely baked, so I guess we got a focussed Fishbone. (no major fuckups, not even in Sunless Saturday)

The show was much groovier and funkier than the last show I witnessed 2 years ago and I feel the new guys make this version of Fishbone a lot of fun. I never much cared for Spacy's playing (I would agree that he did an amazing job with great skill, his playing just never touched me) and I like Tori's style a lot more. Rocky, I'm not too sure about, as he was on the other side of the stage from me and I couldn't really hear him. He seemed also a bit more reserved than the others, not really fitting in. At the same time, there was a lot of joking back and forth within the band with him, Angelo urging him to sing, which he didn't always do.

D'Andre on keys seems to be a very versatile player, jumping into wherever Angelo's fancy led between songs. He does not seem to really let go though yet.

The Pastor filled most of Walts spot and I think he did a fine job. His vocals aren't as striking as Walts, nor does he have the call and response with Angelo down yet, nor does he have the almost intimidating presence that Walt had, but he does bring a different vibe, he brings fun to the place. I think it's a great way to move forward, he brings something new and doesn't try to imitate the old too much. He also is able to play multiple instruments. He considers himself a bass player first (Tobias basses: http://www.mtdbass.com/pages/players.html ) and he played some keys and acoustic guitar at different points in the show. http://arno.meulenkamp.net/pics/fishbone_20050305/img_0190

It was also good to see John McKnight again, his vocals filled up the harmonies from the bottom and trombone is just such a great instrument. (he didn't get to play other instruments) http://arno.meulenkamp.net/pics/fishbone_20050305/img_0241

The show still had all the hallmarks of a Fishbone show, ofcourse, with jumping, grinding, switching and high energy action. It was great to see the bass (or is it a baritone too?) saxophone back and hearing Hide Behind My Glasses again was great (although I wished they sped it up a bit, it ain't no goddam funeral dirge!) http://arno.meulenkamp.net/pics/fishbone_20050305/img_0355

From talking to a few of them, the only thing I got was that they are in a much happier place now. Norwood said that "it's a lot more fun to be in Fishbone now than it has been in a while". The new guys are exited to be in Fishbone. Tori *is* in Fishbone, but like most of the others has other projects as well.

I can't wait to see them in New Orleans come April!

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Yeah ! 2 hours and a half of Fishbone... That is great !

But... I did not enjoy this show as I enjoyed the show at "l'Ouvre Bo?te", the saturday before. The sound wasn't good this time, certainly due to the room itself, and Torrel's guitar was too loud, almost covering the voices and totally erasing Rocky's guitar... (reminding me the "Furia Festival" in 2002... same chaotic ...

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