Sep 09 2006 @ Canes San Diego, CA

I've seen Fishbone so many times I've lost count. But this last show was one of the weirdest shows I've seen them at. Let me just say, that they have played at Canes several times before . . . and maybe that's why this experience was so out of the ordinary.

They had 2 opening bands. First one I've seen before open for Fishbone. They're a local San Diego group, and I'm blanking on their name right now. Nothing special, but they weren't bad. The 2nd group was a reggae band (Tribal Seeds . . . I think). Don't get me wrong, I love reggae, but I can't sand it when all a reggae band does is take the stereo typical Bob Marley sound and style and make that "their" sound. Come on guys, pick a different key, bass line, drum beat, anything!!! They played for over an hour (longer than Fishbone), and it all sounded like one run on tune the entire time. I'm not into bashing bands, but I was falling asleep, and I wasn't the only one. I saw many people get so bored; you could see the heaviness in their eyes. I came to see Fishbone, not some stereotypical reggae band.

Now again, I've seen Fishbone several times, and I've seen them several times at Canes, and I've seen other shows at Canes. Due to the house sounds guys, Fishbone was having technical difficulties through the entire show. Mainly, the horns were always off, and for the most part couldn't be heard. Wet Daddy was having problems with the sound guys giving him any instruments in his wedge. They had to start a couple of tunes over because of that. I'm going to have to say, because I've seen shows before at Canes, I've noticed that there's a particular sound guy that seems to fuck up all of the shows he does. I don't know his name, but whenever I see him in the booth, I know the sound is going to suck. If I were working at Canes, I would have to let that guy go. Canes does have some good sound guys, but there's that one who couldn't set the EQ on his own stereo. And every performing musician who is reading this knows how bad sound guys can ruin a show for you. Now back to Wet Daddy... that guy loves being naked! The ladies in the front row got to see every inch of that. He kept breaking sticks through the show, probably beating a little harder due to his frustrations with the sound guy. I was lucky enough to grab one of his broke sticks.

Rockey was having some problems of his own. He broke a string during the first tune (Sunless Saturday), and was having problems putting a new one on, even with Rodger, their techi, helping him. But once he got it on, and kept himself in tune, he was all good.

Norwood came with plenty of back up. I swear he brought his entire bass arsenal to the show. 5 basses and 4 cabs!!!

Now for the wired stuff. The vibe of the night was good through out the bar. The place was packed out, and everyone seemed to be in good spirits. Everyone was excited to see Fishbone, especially after that really stereotypical reggae band. However, when Fishbone took the stage, there were a couple of assholes (as always) getting a little too violent when we were all trying to mosh or skank and have a good time. There was one instance were these 2 guys got into a fight. One of the dudes just decided to grab the other guy?s neck and start choking the poor bastard. That happen right next to me, and to see a person get choked where they are truly gasping for air, and flailing their arms about in panic, is not nice to see. Now the genius security guys through out the guy who got choked and not the choker. That happened very early on in Fishbone's set, so the mood of the audience changed very quickly after that. Mainly, we were all watching this guy to make sure he didn't come after us.

So shortly after a half an hour Fishbone started, Canes sound guy comes on the loud speakers, and tells Fishbone that they have only about 3 more tunes that they can play. Not only was the audience like WFT! But so was Fishbone. Angelo came back with by saying, "We're gonna be playin' all night motha fucka's!" From there on, their set list went out the window, and they just started calling tunes. Unfortunately, the Canes personnel came up onto the stage after 3 tunes, turned on the house lights, and made Fishbone call it quits. Now, Angelo did want everyone to know that they had merchandise for sale. Their friend who was in charge of the merchandise tried to get everyone chanting "Fishbone is red-hot!" But everyone decided to chant, "This place sucks!" Instead. During all of this, the Canes personnel were trying to get Wet Daddy to put his close back on. Wet Daddy seemed more that willing, but the Canes employees were being a bunch if dicks about it. I guess they didn't like seeing Wet Daddy's, or jealous once they saw Wet Daddy up close. But there was this one particular employee of Canes that had this creepy vibe about him. Almost kind of like a "Chester the molester" type vibe. That employee with the red hair and the pointy ass nose . . . what a creepy dude.

I don't know CA alcohol codes, but my guess is that is the main reason why Canes did what they did. But, Canes took the worst approach to the situation they could have. If anyone started shit with anyone who worked at Canes, it was their establishment's fault. But the icing on the cake was that Canes kicked everyone out, and no body could purchase any of Fishbone's merchandise.

I don't see Fishbone wanting to play Canes again, or visa versa. Luckily this town is ruled by Canes. Fishbone has many more venues to choose from here in San Diego.

In closing, I do have to say that even though Fishbone played for only about 40-45 minutes, they fucking rock it hard!!! Keep the sunshine coming guys!!!

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