Fishbone is an American rock band formed in 1979 with John Norwood Fisher (bass), his brother Philip "Fish" Fisher (drums), Angelo Moore (vocals, saxophones and theremin), Kendall Jones (guitar), "Dirty" Walter A. Kibby II (vocals, trumpet), and Christopher Dowd (keyboards, trombone, vocals). The band's current line-up consists of Moore, Dowd (who was absent between 1994 and 2018), and guitarist Mark Phillips (since 2019).
Fishbone was founded when all the members were in junior high school in 1979. [1] After releasing two albums and two EPs, the band were joined by John Bigham on guitar and keyboards in 1989. [2] Guitarist Kendall Jones left the band in 1993, [3] soon followed by Christopher Dowd in 1994. [4] Bigham left in 1997, [5] and was replaced by Tracey "Spacey T" Singleton. [6] Drummer Philip "Fish" Fisher also left later in 1998, he was briefly replaced by Clint Cameron and Dion Murdock before John Steward joined in 1999. Dowd was replaced by Anthony Brewster from 1997 to 1998, before John McKnight joined, who stayed until 2001
Walter Kibby and Singleton both departed in 2003. Fisher, Moore and Steward rebuilt the band with Rocky George of Suicidal Tendencies and Tori Ruffin of The Time on guitars (though Ruffin left soon thereafter), and Dre Gipson on keyboards. McKnight returned in 2005, the band also had various trumpet players, who were PaDre Holmes, Fernando Pullum, Mervin Campbell, and Curtis Storey. McKnight again left in 2010, the band were re-joined by Kibby around the same time. In 2011 the band were joined by Tom "Tom-Bone" Ralls on trombone and Tori Ruffin briefly returning a substitute for George. After touring the band were joined by Jay Armant as full time trombonist.
In February 2013, keyboardist Dre Gipson left the band after nine years, reggae musician Freddie Flint filled in temporarily on keyboards, before Paul Hampton joined in July. Original drummer Philip "Fish" Fisher re-joined in November 2016, replacing Steward. [7] John Bigham returned to the band in 2017, replacing George. Keyboardist and trombonist Christopher Dowd returned in January 2018, replacing both Hampton and Armant. [8] Making a reunion of the bands classic line-up, minus Kendall Jones.
Bigham again departed in December 2019, he was replaced by Mark Phillips. [9] In November 2020, the band were re-joined by Kendall Jones for a one of performance. Phillip "Fish" Fisher left the group again in late 2021, after which John Steward rejoined on drums. In January 2024, Steward left the band for a second time. In April 2024, J. Fisher and Kibby quit the band as well. Angelo and Dowd will continue performing with that band, alongside an as of yet unnamed group of musicians. [10]
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelo Moore |
|
| all releases | |
| Christopher Dowd |
|
|
| |
| Mark Phillips | 2019–present [12] | guitar | Fishbone (2023) |
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Norwood Fisher |
|
| all releases to date | |
| "Dirty" Walter A. Kibby II |
|
| all releases to date except Still Stuck in Your Throat (2006) and Fishbone Live (in Bordeaux) (2009) | |
| Philip "Fish" Fisher |
|
| all releases from Fishbone (1985) to Chim Chim's Badass Revenge (1996) | |
| Kendall Jones | 1979–1993 (guest 2008, 2010, 2016 and 2020) [15] |
| all releases from Fishbone (1985) to Give a Monkey a Brain and He'll Swear He's the Center of the Universe (1993) | |
| John "JB" Bigham |
|
| all releases from Set the Booty Up Right (1990) to Chim Chim's Badass Revenge (1996) | |
| Anthony Brewster |
|
| none | |
| Tracey "Spacey T" Singleton | 1997–2003 [18] | guitar | ||
| John McKnight |
|
|
| |
| John Steward |
| drums | all releases from Chim Chim's Badass Revenge (1996) to Fishbone (2023) | |
| Rocky George | 2003–2017 [21] | guitar |
| |
| Dre Gipson | 2003–2013 [22] |
| ||
| André "PaDre" Holmes |
|
| Fishbone Live (in Bordeaux) (2009) | |
| Curtis Storey | 2005–2007 [24] (died 2017) |
| ||
| Jay Armant | 2011–2018 [25] |
| Crazy Glue (2011) | |
| Paul Hampton | 2013–2018 [26] | keyboards | none |
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clint Cameron | 1998 [27] | drums | none | |
| Dion Murdock | 1998–1999 [28] | |||
| Torrell (Tori) Ruffin |
| guitar | Ruffin played off and on between 2003 and 2005, he later returned as a touring substitute for Rocky George in 2011. | |
| Elizabeth Lea | 2003–2004 [30] | trombone | none | |
| Mervin Campbell |
| trumpet | ||
| Fernando Pullum |
| |||
| Tom Bone Ralls | 2011 [32] | trombone | ||
| Freddie Flint | 2013 [33] | keyboards |
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foley | 1993 |
| played bass and drums at one show on June 25, 1993. [34] | |
| Earl Hudson | drums | played drums at nine shows between September 23, and October 2 1993. [35] | ||
| Gil Sharone | 1998 | played drums at one show on March 22, 1998. [36] | ||
| James Gray | played drums at twelve shows between May 25 and September 30, 1998. [37] | |||
| Tim Moynahan | 2003 | trombone | played trombone at five shows between November 21 and December 13, 2003. [38] | |
| Flea | trumpet | played trumpet at one show on November, 26 2003. [39] | ||
| Big Na, Mike T and Stuff | 2005 | drums | played drums at one show on April, 22 2005. [40] | |
| Ikey Owens | 2012–2013 | keyboards | played keyboards at four shows between December 20, 2012 and January 1, 2013. [41] |
| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 – 1989 |
|
|
| 1989 – 1993 |
| |
| 1993 – 1994 |
| none |
| 1995 – 1997 |
|
|
| 1997 – 1998 |
| none |
| 1998 |
| |
| 1998 – 1999 |
| |
| 1999 – 2001 |
| |
| 2001 – 2003 |
| |
| 2003 – 2004 |
| none |
| 2004 |
| |
| 2004 – 2005 |
| |
| 2005 – 2007 |
|
|
| 2007 – 2008 |
| none |
| 2008 – 2010 |
| |
| 2010 – 2011 |
| |
| 2011 |
| |
| 2011 – 2013 |
|
|
| 2013 |
| none |
| 2013 – 2016 |
| |
| 2016 – 2017 |
| |
| 2017 – 2018 |
| |
| 2018 – 2019 |
| |
| 2019 – 2021 |
| |
| 2021 – 2024 |
|
|
| 2024 – present |
| none to date |
Fishbone is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1979, the band plays a fusion of ska, punk, funk, metal, reggae, and soul. AllMusic has described the group as "one of the most distinctive and eclectic alternative rock bands of the late '80s. With their hyperactive, self-conscious diversity, goofy sense of humor, and sharp social commentary, the group gained a sizable cult following".
Truth and Soul is the second studio album by American rock band Fishbone. It was released on September 13, 1988. As is typical of the band's history of music the album features a wide array of genres including punk, ska, reggae, soul, funk, and blues. Additionally, Truth and Soul includes the band's earliest foray into hard rock and heavy metal. The album begins with a cover version of Curtis Mayfield's "Freddie's Dead", originally from the soundtrack to the film Super Fly.
The Reality of My Surroundings is the third studio album by the American rock band Fishbone, released on April 23, 1991 through Columbia Records. It was their first album to include former Miles Davis music director John Bigham, who joined in 1989 during the Truth and Soul tour.
In Your Face is the debut studio album by American rock band Fishbone, released in November 1986. It is the band's second major label release for Columbia Records following their self-titled EP from the previous year.
Fishbone is the recording debut of alternative group Fishbone. This six-song EP was released in 1985 and captures the band at the height of their early funk/ska era. The track "Party at Ground Zero" remains one of the band's most popular tracks.
It's a Wonderful Life is a four-song Christmas extended play (EP) release by the alternative rock band Fishbone in 1987. The EP quickly went out of print, but its four songs were preserved on the 1996 retrospective Fishbone 101: Nuttasaurusmeg Fossil Fuelin' the Fonkay and the title track was featured on the 2003 greatest hits compilation album The Essential Fishbone.
Give a Monkey a Brain and He'll Swear He's the Center of the Universe is the fourth studio album by American rock band Fishbone. It was the last album to feature all six original members, as guitarist Kendall Jones left the band a few months after the album's release, and keyboardist/trombonist Chris Dowd would leave the next year.
Chim Chim's Badass Revenge is the fifth full-length album and concept album from alternative rock band Fishbone. It was Fishbone's first studio album in three years following the departure of founding members Kendall Jones and Chris Dowd and the band being dropped by Sony Records. It was also their last album with founding member Philip "Fish" Fisher, who would leave the band two years later.
Fishbone and the Familyhood Nextperience Present: The Psychotic Friends Nuttwerx is an album by alternative rock band Fishbone, released in 2000. It features a large number of special guests and is the only Fishbone album released on Disney's Hollywood Records.
Live at the Temple Bar and More is the first live album from alternative rock band Fishbone. The album was recorded live in various locations throughout August and September 2001.
Live in Amsterdam is a live combination CD/DVD set from alternative rock band Fishbone. It was shot and recorded in digital 24 track sound at the Melkweg Theatre in Amsterdam, the Netherlands during the infamous High Times Cannabis Cup Festival in 2002 on the last night of a 14-week tour. High Times Creative Director Steven Hager was the director of the video recording, and Aaron Strebs edited the live 4-camera mix. Interviews for the DVD were shot later by Mike Esterson, producer of the CD and DVD.
Set the Booty Up Right is a five-song EP released by the ska/funk metal/rock band Fishbone in 1990. It was recorded shortly after the band hired former Miles Davis music director John Bigham on guitar and keyboard. The EP served as a stopgap release for fans, due to production delays for the full album The Reality of My Surroundings, which was released in 1991. The EP features two alternate versions of the song "Bonin' in the Boneyard" as well as three new studio tracks. It has long been out of print, but the track "Love and Bullshit" was included on the 1996 retrospective Fishbone 101: Nuttasaurusmeg Fossil Fuelin' the Fonkay.
Fishbone and the Familyhood Nextperience Present: The Friendliest Psychosis of All is a three-song EP released by alternative rock band Fishbone in 2002. It features original outtakes from their 2000 album Fishbone and the Familyhood Nextperience Present: The Psychotic Friends Nuttwerx, with cameos from funk pioneer George Clinton, Primus bass guitarist Les Claypool and comedic singer Blowfly.
Critical Times – Fishbone's Hen House Sessions is a 2001 DVD release by Fishbone recorded at Hen House Studios, a free community recording studio in Venice, California.
Still Stuck in Your Throat is a 2006 studio album by Fishbone, and their most recent full-length release to date. It was their first album since Fishbone and the Familyhood Nextperience Present: The Psychotic Friends Nuttwerx had been released six years previously, as well as their first to be released on an independent record label. It is also the first album to feature guitarist Rocky George, keyboardist Dre Gipson and trumpeter Curtis Storey, as well as their first to not feature founding member Walter A. Kibby II, who left the band in 2003, having since returned. Still Stuck in Your Throat was recorded in late 2005 and early 2006 with the support of David Kahne who produced all of Fishbone's recordings during the 1980s and early 1990s. Featuring five songs that were written during the unreleased "Hen House" sessions of 2001, the new album also contains six brand new tracks.
Fishbone 101: Nuttasaurusmeg Fossil Fuelin' the Fonkay is a two-CD 1996 compilation album by the alternative/funk/rock band Fishbone. The first disc contains album tracks from the Fishbone albums up to 1993. The second disc contains B-sides, alternate versions, EP tracks, demos, and other non-album items from the same time period. "The Goose" is a previously unreleased cover of the song by the funk band Parliament. The previously unreleased demo track "Alcoholic" was later rerecorded for the 1996 studio album Chim Chim's Badass Revenge. The previously unreleased demo track "Pink Vapor Stew" was later reworked as "Party at Ground Zero" on the debut Fishbone and another demo recording "Game of Destruction" was also reworked as "Pressure" on their third LP The Reality of My Surroundings.
"Ma and Pa" is a song by American ska and funk metal band Fishbone. It was the second single released from the album Truth and Soul. The song only managed to chart in the UK, but remains a fan favorite and a staple of the band's live shows to the present day.
Fishbone Live is the first officially released live album of Fishbone. It contains a 5.1 DVD with companion audio CD of a show filmed April 23, 2008 in Bordeaux, France. It was released worldwide on May 10, 2009. In 2010, the album was pressed on double picture disc vinyl and is for sale via the band's website.
Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone is a 2010 American independent documentary film about the U.S. alternative rock band Fishbone. Co-produced and co-directed by Lev Anderson and Chris Metzler, and narrated by actor Laurence Fishburne, The film is listed on the 100 Best Documentaries as ranked by Rotten Tomatoes coming in at #74.
Paul A Hampton is an American musician, songwriter, and producer, best known for his work as the keyboardist and creator of the ska band The Skeletones.
