Fishbone (photo by Steady Jenny)
With a heady and heavy fusion of ska, funk and chopsy hard rock, and with a showmanship that bordered on manic Dada, Fishbone’s influence on modern rock – especially the definitive modern rock of the ‘90s – cannot be overstated. The Chili Peppers have never denied the influence of their LA scenemates and mentors, for Fishbone’s story actually begins all the way back in 1979.
The eponymous debut and first full-length, 1986’s In Your Face, come off like an extra-zippy take on madcap third-wave ska. But it is on 1988’s Truth and Soul, which kicks off with an incendiary funk/metal cover of Curtis Mayfield’s “Freddie’s Dead” (which may well have been sung in streets of Baltimore last week), that Fishbone stakes out its unique fusion of styles and a lyrical purpose perched magically between Surrealism and radical political activism.
Fishbone continued to refine and harden its style and release excellent albums, to diminishing commercial returns, throughout the 1990s. Well-documented, turbulent personnel shakeups notwithstanding, these genuine pioneers have kept it going live and have released new music in the new millennium, featuring founding members John Norwood Fisher (bass) and Angelo Moore (vocals and Theremin and sax and…).
Fishbone (Do you hear me? Fishbone!) headline the fifth annual Rock the Resort, titled Rock N Roll Resort V5: Electric Avenue, from May 1 to 3 at the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa in Kerhonkson. Fishbone plays late on Friday, but once again this “jam”-packed, multi-stage indoor festival is slouch-free. Other notables include the wildly popular reggae band the Easy Star All Stars, the global prog trio Consider the Source, Vermont’s genre-bending rockers Twiddle and many, many and, furthermore, many more. The sprawling full lineup, as well as all ticket-package details and an inviting profile of the resort’s amenities (golf, indoor swimming and all-night dancing) can be found at https://rocknrollresort.com.
An RnR Resort pre-party will happen on Thursday night, April 30 starting at 9 p.m. at the Oasis Café at 58 Main Street in New Paltz, above the Cabaloosa nightclub, featuring live music from the Werks, After Funk and Cosmal. Admission to the show is free for weekend ticketholders or $10 at the door.
Once again, Wicked Cool Productions offer discounted tickets to Sullivan and Ulster County students and local residents. Local day passes cost $25 and weekend passes cost $50. In the Hudson Valley, advance tickets will be available at Rhino Records at 8 North Front Street in Kingston and 3 Church Street in New Paltz and at Rocket Number Nine Records at 50 North Front Street in Kingston, (845) 331-8217. A valid photo ID is required to receive the student and local resident discounts.
Rock N Roll Resort V5: Electric Avenue, May 1-3, Hudson Valley Resort & Spa, 400 Granite Road, Kerhonkson; https://rocknrollresort.com.