Fishbone circa 1985. Photo: Robert Knight Archive/Redferns

Fishbone started as a group of six high school buddies who, instead of picking and choosing between influences, decided to channel them all: Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Dead Kennedys and everyone in between. But when Columbia Records signed Fishbone and released its debut EP in 1985, it struggled to market the band.

Columbia eventually dropped Fishbone, even though bands like No Doubt, Jane’s Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers catapulted to mainstream success while bearing Fishbone’s influence. But tonight the documentary Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone makes its American Public Television debut. Bassist Norwood Fisher, one of two original members left, reflected on some of those defining moments in Fishbone’s 25-year career: what sparked its initial, infectious camaraderie and the painful fracturing of the band’s founding line-up.

Dayum! Cee Lo Green, Janelle Monae, Fishbone, Santigold, Jay Electronica, Toro Y Moi, Res, Joi, Toshi Reagon, Ninjasonik, Cerebral Ballzy, Straight Line Stitch, Gordon Voidwell, Reggie Watts, Joe Jordans Experiment, Rocky Business, and more to be announced. The line-up of this year's Afro-punk Festival is killer!
August 27-28 in Brooklyn, New York (Commodore Barry Park). You know you don't want to miss this one, kiddos. And it's FREE too! But wait, there's more in store:
- the Nike Battle For the Streets Skate and BMX Competition, featuring some of the nation's top amateur skaters and BMX riders such as Nigel Sylvester and P-Rod.
- the Afro-Punk Bites&Beats Food Truck Festival (over 20 dope food trucks from the NYC area).
- a custom bike show (dozens of bikes customized by Black riders), which will serve as the backdrop for the Harley Davidson/Denim and Chrome 2012 Calendar photo shoot (photographer Darius Vick will capture bad-ass tattooed beauties)
- The Skate Artwall (an artist will paint over 300 skateboards as part of one large mural)
Phew! Sorry for making you fall off your chairs, but it's for a good cause. See ya there! - Lou C-D

THE BANDS:

RED HOT.