Fishbone Returns with Fierce New Album: Still Defying Expectations After Decades

Fishbone channels decades of fury into their bold new album, blending ska, funk, and metal with sharp political edge and timeless eclecticism.

A Long-Awaited Comeback Fueled by Fire

Fishbone’s highly anticipated album, Stockholm Syndrome, dropped on June 27, marking their first release in nearly twenty years. The lead single, provocatively titled “Racist Piece of Shit,” hit the scene shortly before the 2024 election, sparking controversy and raw emotion. The song leaves no room for ambiguity about the band's view of the current political climate. Musically, it’s a straightforward yet scorching tune, but it speaks volumes in its blunt message.

Fast forward eight months, and the band’s rage hasn’t cooled. Instead, Fishbone has poured that intense anger into crafting an album that is heavy, complex, and uniquely their own—worthy of standing alongside their classic works from the late 1980s and early ’90s.

From South Central LA Misfits to Genre-Bending Legends

Nearly 50 years ago, Fishbone formed in South Central Los Angeles as a group of junior high misfits. Their debut album, In Your Face (1986), introduced their wild blend of ska, punk, funk, and metal. The band hit their commercial stride in the early ’90s with tours like Lollapalooza and the metal-heavy Give a Monkey a Brain and He’ll Swear He’s the Center of the Universe.

Despite their influence, Fishbone never reached the massive mainstream fame of peers like Red Hot Chili Peppers or Jane’s Addiction. Over the years, lineup changes shook the band—founding members dwindled to singer Angelo Moore and keyboardist-trombonist Christopher Dowd. Notably, Stockholm Syndrome is the first Fishbone album without bassist Norwood Fisher, with Tracey “Spacey T” Singleton rejoining in 2024 after a long hiatus.

Through it all, Fishbone maintains its extravagant and eclectic style, continuing to fuse punk and metal with traditionally Black music elements like ska, funk, doo-wop, soul, and early R&B. This blend defines their unique place in music history.

Politics and Passion: Fishbone’s Strongest Statement Yet

Fishbone has never shied away from political messages—since 1988’s Truth and Soul, their music reflects an aggressive awareness of social issues. Stockholm Syndrome intensifies that stance, with song titles like “Last Call in America,” “Why Do We Keep on Dying,” and “Secret Police” confronting urgent topics head-on.

Opening the track “Last Call in America,” Angelo Moore confronts a litany of national crises: inflation, rising gas prices, tainted water, and police brutality, proclaiming, “Hatred has consumed the nation!” The album moves beyond the blunt fury of the first single, expanding musically and thematically.

Guests like Parliament-Funkadelic legend George Clinton enrich tracks like “Last Call,” blending disco’s pulse with James Brown’s strut. Other songs, such as “Suckered by Sabotage,” mix thrash, hard rock, and reggae, while “Secret Police” delivers a surprisingly catchy heavy metal vibe reminiscent of Tears for Fears.

The quirky “Gelato the Clown” showcases Fishbone’s playful side with vaudeville-style weirdness, merging sounds like Ween and Tower of Power. The album closes with “Love Is Love,” a heartfelt ballad echoing the softer funk-metal style of Extreme.

Fishbone is still getting down while the world hovers on the brink.

Half a Century Later, Fishbone Remains Vital

Back in 1985, Fishbone’s debut single “Party at Ground Zero” captured Cold War anxieties with an anarchic spirit. Those days may be gone, but Fishbone’s commitment to confronting societal chaos remains fierce. Angelo Moore, Christopher Dowd, and the band’s members channel their growing anger into a musical force that insists on being heard.

Their message is blunt but necessary: music can still make an impact, and Fishbone isn’t backing down.

Top 5 FAQs About Fishbone and Stockholm Syndrome

• What is the significance of the album title Stockholm Syndrome?
  The title reflects themes of societal captivity and manipulation, mirroring how the band views the current political and social climate.
• Who are the founding members still in Fishbone?
  Singer Angelo Moore and keyboardist-trombonist Christopher Dowd remain from the original lineup.
• What genres does Fishbone blend in their music?
  They mix ska, punk, funk, metal, doo-wop, soul, and early R&B into a distinctive sound.
• Is Stockholm Syndrome politically charged?
  Absolutely. It’s their most direct and aggressive political statement, tackling current national issues head-on.
• Who features on the album?
  Funk legend George Clinton makes a guest appearance, adding to the album's rich musical texture.

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