Fishbone, Glider & Fenix Down

One thing I hate about reviewing shows is that many times, I have to show up alone and there is no one to talk shit with. I need that; I can't be in a room full of people I don't know for too long. I either offend or ignore them, it's not just 'cause I'm a dick, that's part of it, but mainly I'm just not good at meeting new people. And I was stuck forever in this bar that I don't normally frequent, all alone. I chained smoked and drank more beer than I meant to waiting for a friend to show up. I left work early to catch this show and I was starting to regret it, Fenix Down had been playing this droning intro that seemed to last for hours, it sounded like a heavier Pink Floyd, or some hippie crap like that, then the first song started and I was a little more enthusiastic. They still have a bit of a psychedelic sound, but that can also come from having so many instruments going at the same time, two guitars, a bass, a drummer and a singer who alternates between the keyboard and an acoustic guitar. They really weren't my thing, but you can't deny their talent, I think they could simplify their sound a little, and maybe lose the acoustic guitar, as it tends to get lost in the mix. The guitar interplay is great, and the drumming is top notch, but the most enjoyable thing to watch was the singer's Joe Cocker style arm fits, kind of funny that a guy who has physical Turret's would sing a song about someone with a deformity. Sorry guys, just kidding; my only real complaint is that the songs are much too long for my short attention span. I would probably go and see them again, but I'd get high first.
Just as Fenix Down were ending their set, my friend showed up, we got another beer, and I ranted about the band he had missed, and he pointed out that the drummer from Glider was a girl in a red Catholic school girl uniform. This seemed promising, so I watched the rest of the band take the stage and hoped that they were the roadies setting up their gear, but they weren't. Just three plain old guys, one with a guitar, one with a bass and one with an electric fiddle. I don't know what to call their music, I just know I didn't like it. The fiddle was slightly reminiscent of Flogging Molly, but that was the only good part. They seemed a little too poppy and trendy for their own good. More of a novelty act than anything. If they come back to town don't waste your time.
After a short wait, Angelo from Fishbone took the stage as his alter ego Dr. Mad Vibe, to recite a hilarious and thought-provoking poem about a character called "Boom-Shack-Alack." It was a few minutes long and ended with a roar of laughter. By the time he finished, the rest of the guys were set up and ready to go they opened with "Everyday Sunshine." The last time I saw them, Angelo told me to "Fuck Off!" when I requested it; that shows just how consistent these guys are. But as inconsistent as they are, they put on a great show. They played old ones like "Lyin' Ass Bitch," and songs from the new E.P. This being the first night of the tour you could hardly tell, they were on it. The new guitarist is amazing; I would trade my left one to play like that. I even got a rise out of Angelo by requesting "Jamaica Ska" from the "Back to the Beach" soundtrack, he looked at me and said, "Yeah, you're a funny motherfucker!" This was a great set by a great band if you didn't go you missed the fuck out.
- Dirty Jim Preston
- photos by D.C. Ramirez

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