Search - Fishbone - Reality of My Surroundings: Past to Present on DVD

Entertaining, Funny, Insightful and Sad in Retrospect

Gordon Kyd | Sydney, NSW Australia | 11/22/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Fishbone - Reality of My Surroundings: Past to Present is a snapshot into one of the highest energy live acts ever. The partial documentary element of this DVD was filmed just after the release of the magnificant 'Reality of My Surroundings' LP sometime between 1991 and 1992. It captures Fishbone at the peak of their career with all original members present and on speaking terms. It is incredably sad that what looked like such a happy and solid group of friends who had written magic and expressed it so vividly live for the past 8 years previously would be fragmented and without their major label (Sony/Colombia) within less than 2 years of this filming.

Amoungst the interviews and personal expressions on what Fishbone "is all about", are the film clips to most of their singles over the years. In chronological order, you can see the evolution of Fishbone from the humourous light natured funk/ska of their beginings in 1985's 'Party At Ground Zero' through to the darker and heavier side of rock with 1991's 'Sunless Saturday'. Along the way they became masters of all the styles they approached and it is obvious in their film clips as they progressed over the years that a more serious and less innocent Fishbone were emerging. Politically, socially and racially vocal, Fishbone let it be heard. There were issues that needed to be raised that were painfully close to them all and their music became the platform and outlet for their emotional expression. With this 'in your face' attitude, the fact they did not stick to any one style of music and the fact they could not be catagorised into one genre, they were placed into the 'too hard' basket by a very conservative music industry. As a result they slipped through the cracks. Oh.......I forgot to mention, being all African/American and playing rock/metal did not seemed to fit into a market based on clear cut labels and safe bets. It's a shame because they knew how to entertain and this DVD is wonderful evidence of this. In fact they STILL know how to put on a awesome show to this day and tour regularly, although the line up only consists of two original members that were featured in this film.

For anyone interested in the band or who WERE interested in them in the late 80's/early 90's, Fishbone - Reality of My Surroundings: Past to Present is a gem that captures it like it was. If only it was twice as long!"