Fishbone in Crested Butte: Part II

Click here for Part I.

Embarrassing confession time: I got to the venue right when the doors opened at 9:00.  I walked into the stage area and it was vacant except for one guy sitting on the side.  I figured he was a big fan like myself, so I struck up a conversation.  I told him I'd first seen Fishbone in 1991, figuring he'd be pretty impressed with my lengthy history following the band.  He asked if I'd gotten good pictures of Angelo and Norwood, which I replied enthusiastically that I had.  He just laughed and said I probably didn't have any of him, then introduced himself as drummer John Steward.

Like I said.  Embarrassing.  Steward has only been with the band FOR 16 YEARS.

He let me off the hook by saying nobody ever recognized him since he was in the back behind everybody else with no lights on him.  And my collection from Frisco in 2012 didn't have him in it.  But I made a point to get him this night.

And he noticed.  He was right that it was tricky to get a clear shot of him with adequate lighting, though.

Guitarist Rocky George turned in his typical solid performance.

New keyboardist Paul Hampton, formerly of The Skeletones, spent most of the show with his dreadlocks flying around.

I'd done a five-mile hike and played tennis earlier in the day.  But I think Angelo may still have burned more calories performing.

I chatted briefly with Steward again after the show and promised I'd always remember him now.  He was very cool and gracious about the whole thing.  And I am a huge dork.

George seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself, as Jay Armant helped out on vocals.

Moore still works a crowd like a puppet master.

A smile from George.

I've seen Fishbone in college auditoriums, outdoor amphitheaters and tiny bars.  They never let the size of the venue or crowd negatively impact their performance.  Before about a hundred people at the Eldo, they still gave their all.

When the set was over, there was no encore.  Instead they announced that they'd be back in a few minutes for an entire second set.  I quickly went and stashed my cameras in my car and came back to just enjoy the music -- nearly 2 1/2 hours' worth when all was said and done.  And the whole band came out to spend some time with the audience afterwards.

A late night as usual when seeing Fishbone.  But a rewarding one, also as usual.  They never disappoint live.  Hopefully I have the energy to keep seeing them as long as they have the energy to keep touring!

Fishbone in Crested Butte: Part I

Had a unique opportunity this past Wednesday to see one of my favorite bands in one of my favorite places -- Fishbone in Crested Butte.  And I got permission to shoot the show, which made it even better.

The backstage door looked perfect for a venue like the Eldo Brewery.

How do you know a band tours a lot?  Having a suitcase on stage is a pretty good sign.

The set list looked good, but shorter than I was used to from Fishbone shows.

Dirty Walt Kibby took a moment to relax before the show.

It was pretty impressive to see the seven-piece band fit on a fairly small stage.  I guess they don't jump around as much as they did 23 years ago when I first saw them, so it's not a big deal.

Even though he doesn't fly around the stage like he used to, Angelo Moore still brings an unbridled intensity and passion to his performance.

Not a great picture, but Norwood's footwear was fantastic and I had to include a photo of one of his shoes.

As great as Norwood's sneakers may be, his bass playing is still even better.

Angelo still brought out the theremin for a few numbers, but it didn't feel like it was as much of a presence as it had been in the past.

Norwood seemed a bit subdued.

But let's be clear -- subdued doesn't mean any less sensational.  The man is a phenomenal musician.

Click here for Part II.

Fishbone in Frisco

When you're unemployed, the words "free concert" sound really good. Frankly, the words "free concert" always sound good. They sound even better when they're coupled with great food like at the Colorado Barbecue Challenge.  And they sound best of all when the band playing is one of the finest on the planet, the incomparable Fishbone.

My friend, former Examiner.com colleague and fellow photographer Kevin Staunton mainly shoots concerts, and he knows I mainly shoot landscapes and wildlife.  He took his family to Great Sand Dunes National Park for the weekend and brought his camera along, and said he'd be disappointed if I didn't bring mine to the concert.

Smart fellow, that Kevin Staunton.  I should heed his advice more often.

Fishbone was scheduled to take the stage at 6:00, so I was carefully positioned at 5:45.  Not in front of the barrier since I can't even make the argument that this blog entitles me to media access.  But right up against it.

Two hours of live music have never gone by so fast.

Frontman Angelo Moore shares a laugh with a member of the crowd as the final preparations are made.

Jay Armant, Angelo and Dre Gipson are just Rub a Dub Soldiers.

The only founding members currently touring -- Angelo, "Dirty Walt" Kibby and John Norwood Fisher.

Norwood.

Dirty Walt and Norwood.

Angelo was somewhat constrained after some recent knee surgery, but still got out on the stacks a couple of times.  Guitarist Rocky George plays in the background.

Gipson had no such constraints, and took a trip into the mosh pit.

Dirty Walt.

Norwood.

Angelo looks dubious about something.

Norwood playing the funky bass.

Does anyone else think Angelo looks a bit like The Grinch?  Just me?

Dirty Walt.

Angelo hides behind an audience member's glasses, which he returned after the song.

The favorite instrument of Angelo's Dr. Madd Vibe persona is undoubtedly the theramin.

After more than 30 years, Angelo still brings it.  One of the best frontmen ever.

If you are at all a fan of the band or just enjoy music history, I highly recommend checking out the Everyday Sunshine documentary.  It explains a lot about where the band came from, how they ended up where they are today and why the mainstream success their counterparts like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and bands they influenced like No Doubt enjoyed never quite came Fishbone's way.

Fishbone definitely rocked the party!