Jun 27 1998 @ Taos Ski Valley Taos Ski Valley, NM

I gotta tell you about my experiences last week-end with what's left of Fishbone. I saw them up in Taos, NM at some festival. 2 Skinnee J's played too (they fucking rocked). All in all it was pretty decent, I guess. Got to hang on the bus and meet some of the crew, videotaped us and all. Fun day, for a while. If someone didn't know any better they would prolly say Fishbone rocked too. Played a buncha old stuff, crunched out big-time too. Real mixed set. But to someone who's seen them 12 times they were "ok" at best. It was the first time I've seen them without Fish. The mark of a kick-ass drummer (or any instrument) is that when they are no longer in the mix the band does not WORK. Fish was and is a kick-ass drummer. Fishbone does not work without him. I play drums and I cannot tell you how much I noticed his absence. The new dude (replacement of Fish's replacement, name is James - really nice guy) is a good drummer, had some wicked grooves. In another band he might rule. But I must say you cannot take the backbone out of a Fishbone and keep it a Fishbone. I ain't doggin' the new guy, I'm saying unless Fish somehow returns, there seems to me little way possible that our beloved Bone is going anywhere. Or anywhere with the old tunes. With all new stuff, maybe. i.e. The Meters without Zigaboo Modeliste. no way Led Zep without John Bonham. yea right The Who without Keith Moon. bah humbug.

Ok, a drummer's perspective perhaps. Of course I'll notice that WAY more than other people. What anyone can notice, however, is a lead singer too FUCKED UP to sing, and puking 4-5 times DURING the show, a band trying to stay together while waiting for the singer to get back on stage. Come on.... I have to say I was pretty bummed out after this show. I tried to go my usual nutts when I see Fishbone play. Tried to shake my ass. Tried for about 20 minutes. Tried. But that's just it, I felt like I was *trying*. I always tried to put aside the blows when other members left Fishbone, first Special K, then Chris, then John, now Fish. Believing they were still the best damn live band on the planet. And *every time* they proved me right..... until now. I'm not living in the past and wishing they'd all get back together. I'm saying what I saw last week-end was some great fucking musicians sliding... without the edge that defined them as one of the best goddamm musical happenings we've ever known. Angelo jumped around a bit when he could. Sang ok, but bro. was wasted. I tried to laugh some of it off, "rock n' roll, man"..... When asking Angelo and Norwood about recording and a label deal they were elusive at best. Said something about "Hollywood records"?? They didn't play any new stuff.

I've heard other rumors about some serious drug shit going on. All the record biz BS and lack of national respect and recognition aside, someone on the inside PLEASE tell me this was an isolated incident, that me seeing Fishbone fuck up a show big-time was a one-time deal. Someone tell me that I'll see Angelo or Norwood sober again.... They weren't just high. Someone who knows them better, tell 'em we still care.

please.

Sorry to be a party-pooper, but I know better. This wasn't "FISHBONE.... the baddest band in the wooorrrrrlld."

This is one fucking bummed out Bonehead....

-jeff

[ed: later found out that Angelo had food poisoning from jerk chicken]

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