Fishbone, a Los Angeles-based alternative rock band, combined elements of deep funk, punk and frantic Ska. The group’s self-conscious, hyperactive diversity, witty sense of humor and sharp social commentary earned them a large cult following in the late 80s but they never managed to reach a mainstream audience. The band was founded by Angelo Moore (vocalist/saxophonist), in 1979, while members were still in junior school. Its original lineup included Moore, Kendall Jones and Walter Kibby II. After performing at local clubs in the early 1980s, the group signed to Columbia Records in mid-80s. They released a self-titled EP that year. In Your Face, Fishbone’s first full-length album was released the following year. Although it had a slightly slick production, their performances were as energetic and vibrant as ever. The Christmas EP It’s A Wonderful Life (Gonna have a Good Time) was released by Fishbone in 1987. Truth and Soul (1988), Fishbone’s deuxième album, saw the band at their best. They smashed back and forth between heavy and funk, adding in an acoustic song and a cover Curtis Mayfield’s Freddie’s Dead for balance. Their audience grew and the album reached number 153. The band didn’t release a new album for three more years. They also released two EPs, Ma and Pa (1989), and Bonin’ in the Boneyard (90), which consisted of several B-sides. John Bigham was Fishbone’s second guitarist before 1991’s The Reality of My Surroundings. The Reality of My Surroundings did not abandon the band’s wild eclecticism, but it refined it. It was a huge success, reaching number 49 on the charts and getting positive reviews. The record did not make the band a major success. Neither 1993’s Give A Monkey a Brain or He’ll Swear That He’s the Centre of the Universe were mainstream successes, and neither was the 1993 album Chim Chim’s Bad Ass Revenge. Fishbone was not popular even when third wave ska was gaining popularity in 1996. Their 1996 album Chim Chim’s Bad Ass Revenge, which was their first for Arista, was also ignored. The double-disc compilation Fishbone 101 Nuttasaurusmeg Fuelin was also ignored. Despite the poor sales, the group was still a huge concert attraction. They released the all-star Psychotic Friends nuttwerx in spring 2000. The album was not supported by Hollywood Records and went missing after only a few months. The label dropped them the next summer. They continued to pursue side projects and other activities during this difficult time. In 2002, Primus released an EP titled Friendliest Psychosis Of All. It was followed by a live album, Live at The Temple Bar and More. Their album Still Stuck In Your Throat was released in Europe in 2006. It was released in April 2006 in the United States. Allmusic
