Fishbone and their Red Hot Holiday Tour came to Orange County at the Garden Amp in California, bringing along Damnage, Strawberry Fuzz, and hometown ska-band Bite Me Bambi. This show was definitely one for the books.
Damnage from Los Angeles came out swinging. This thrashy hardcore trio band tore through their thirty-minute set that seemed to mostly take influence from old hardcore punk bands like Suicidal Tendencies, but you could definitely hear the Transplants in their newest song “Time to Kill.” Bassist Jonny Goood and guitarist Tim Stewart took turns singing leads while drummer Tosh Peterson kept time. Opening with their song “Wasteland,” the band didn’t take too long to get the crowd pumped. The band played a cover of the Circle Jerks’ “Wild in the Streets” on steroids. They closed out their time with the midtempoed “Important.” I say this a lot, but this band deserved a bigger crowd. Damnage’s set was a great opener for an amazing night of bands. This is definitely a band to keep an eye on in this new year.
Playing songs that mostly involve drinking, partying, and getting hassled by the cops, Strawberry Fuzz is a force to be reckoned with. Opening chords were strummed while lead singer Colby Rodgers opened a Modelo tallboy, establishing them as the night’s designated party band. Hailing from Venice Beach, Strawberry Fuzz’s driving punk rock guitars took the crowd on a journey every which way but sober. Rodgers has that live-fast-die-young swagger only punk rock lead singers possess. If the rest of the band is half as hammered as Rodgers is singing about, then kudos to them for not missing the beat. The crowd ate up the mantra-like chorus from their song “Green Room”: “If you don’t like the music then go the fuck home.”
After being on tour for the majority of the last two to three months, Bite Me Bambi seemed a little road-worn but still played an energetic set. Playing a good mix of new stuff, old stuff, and covers, they were welcomed with open arms to a hometown crowd. New songs “Too Many People” and “Do the Damned” fit in well with previous staples “Strippers on a Sunday” and “Hot Lava.” I don’t care how many times I have seen them played; I always love when Bite Me Bambi throws in covers “One Step Beyond” and “Gangsters.” Although they played a short set, it was still great to see them do what they do so damn well.
In all my years of going to shows, I had never seen Fishbone. I’m admittedly a casual listener and an even more casual fan, but one Fishbone show has the power to change that. This set was a bolt of energy from a band that age has not slowed down. Angelo Moore was a madman on stage for a set with fluctuating moods. Priming the crowd with “Fishbone (Is Red Hot),” Moore brought the tone down and started retelling the story of Noah’s Ark before jumping into the metal-tinged “Swim,” but definitely kept their ska cred in check with “Skankin’ to the Beat” and “Cubicle.” Chris Dowd came out from behind the keys to sing a couple of songs, including the newest single “Racist Piece of Shit,” but it was definitely Moore running the show. Between singing, playing sax, and the theremin, Dr. Mad Vibe had full command over this crowd. Whether it was the high energy of “Subliminal Fascism” or the slowed down version of “Drunk Skitzo,” we were under his spell. The pit for the show was pretty random. It had everything: punk rockers, ska kids, Spider-Man, Santa Claus, Adrian Young. They were just as manic as the band. Despite a fight or two breaking out, the spectrum of their fandom and love most were showing was endearing to see. Fishbone closed with fan favorite, “Lyin’ Ass Bitch,” with Tahlena from Bite Me Bambi on guest vocals. While they ran out of time for Party At Ground Zero, this was still pretty cool to see.
Seeing Fishbone is an experience. This is performance art on a different level. They put together a hell of a good night of music. There was something for everybody and lots to discover. Go see Fishbone or any of the other bands when they tour again; you will not be disappointed.