Fishbone is one of those bands that made it big enough to be known, but not big enough to be a household name. The cool kids have been fans of the Los Angeles-based ska-meets-punk-meets-funk-meets-reggae-meets-rock band since, like, forever. And everyone else has a general sense of familiarity with Fishbone. They’re the band that did that one song, right?
The new documentary “Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone” clears things up mightily. Filmmakers Lev Anderson and Chris Metzler’s recent work explains how the members of the band first met, and focuses on both the group’s highs and its lows.
| If you go |
| “Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone” |
| » Available on iTunes Feb. 1, on public television Feb. 6, and DVD Feb. 22. Check local listings for show times. fishbonedocumentary.com. |
“I thought it was a really good interpretation of what they thought Fishbone is all about,” said Fishbone lead singer and saxophonist Angelo Moore during a phone interview. “It can’t really describe Fishbone in its entirety because it’s too much.”
Moore added that the film presented “different interpretations of truths.”
The original members of Fishbone, which has varied in makeup through the years, first met in junior high in the late 1970s, and the band released its first self-titled EP in 1985. Popular songs through the years include “Party At Ground Zero,” “Everyday Sunshine” and “Sunless Saturday.”
The band made its name through its eclectic mix of genres, high-energy stage shows, and the fact that Fishbone is a rock band whose members are black. The film addresses that last point by showing Fishbone’s difficulty in securing a record label.
Moore believes that an underlying racism kept the band from hitting it big. While contemporaries such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers went on to megasuccess, Fishbone never rose to such high ranks.
“I think with the phenomenon of racism in America is going to help out the majority faster than the minority,” Moore said.
Moore also believes American audiences still don’t fully appreciate Fishbone’s sound.
“Bands like Fishbone, we usually got to go overseas or somewhere outside of America to get a better understanding of what we’re doing, a better feel,” Moore said. “America is already a linear culture. All straight ahead, with blinders. It’s like one main street.”
Fishbone’s original members include bassist Norwood Fisher and “Dirty” Walter Kibby on trumpet. Fisher and Moore are the only members who have been active in Fishbone since the band’s beginning.
Fishbone released the EP “Crazy Glue” last year, and is currently playing some shows and working on material.
Moore has also kept busy with solo work and writing under his stage name Dr. Madd Vibe.
“I thought, wow man, time sure does fly,” Moore said of seeing “Everyday Sunshine. “I’m still here, still breathing and living. A lot of times, people remind me how much time has gone by. I don’t really notice. I guess that’s because I’m doing it.”
