Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone

Someone said this is a must see film for the fans of the band. I respectfully disagree. It is a must see film, period. I saw it during SXSW and I didn't know anything about the band (shame on me!) and I LOVED the movie. The characters are engaging, the story develops as if it was a narrative film, and of course the music is great. Racial issues are presented in a very refreshing tone. It has a great sense of humor that reflects the band's sense of humor and critique. Summing it up: it is a fun, moving and informative film. And then yes, I became a fan of the band. If you have a chance, don't miss it. You will be glad you didn't.

I'll keep it short. This band hanged my life when I thought I was the only black kid who "thought different". Have been a hardcore fan since 86'. Have gotten to know them and the film nails the vibe between Angelo and Norwood. I think the absence or even mention of John Bigham of Miles Davis fame, was a disappointment as he was the 7th member and not a founding member who thickened their sound on Reality of My Surroundings. The narration was Excellent by Lawrence Fishburne and the animations were a cool throwback to Fat Albert days. The ups and downs and the adventured of recovering a wayward guitarist (I won't spoil it), would make a great screenplay actually. I've turned a few friends on to this movie who had know idea of their influence and range that are now new fans twenty something years later. It is an excellent labor of love by the directors who took a lot of time with the band and the people who they have influenced, Flea, Gwen Steffani, George Clinton, Questlove, Eugene Hutz of Gogol Bordello to name a few, Great film making

Watching Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone at 14 Pews in Houston, you get the feeling you're in the right place to watch this particular movie. The church-converted movie theater is a beautiful venue with warm, red planks of wood lining the walls and ceiling as well as artwork displaying oil spills in vibrant contrasting colors.

Five minutes prior to screen time, though, the venue is less than quarter-full and on the same day the media were falling over themselves singing the praises of the soon-to-be-open Sundance Theater downtown, you also get the feeling that more people really ought be here to appreciate a fine independent film and local art house. You can't help feel the same about Fishbone.

The film is essentially a tribute to unfulfilled promises, or as Angelo Moore characterizes in the film, "famous but not rich." On some level, this film could have been about any brilliant, genre-challenged African- American band pre-2K, like Living Colour or Bad Brains. It just happened to be about the craziest.

Central to the film is the relationship between Moore and Norwood Fisher, with Fisher at times debating between Moore's hyper-creativity and sometimes overbearing disruptive behavior, and Moore talking about every damn single thing he can. While the film mostly portrays the two separately in interviews, it's when the two are together fighting over the future direction of the band that you get a true sense of how much admiration and enmity exist between the two. It's a scene virtually every band or family plays out, but the shared history and stature of the two make the familiar argument more significant. It's like the first time you realize your father is human after all.

However, the arc of the movie hinges on Kendall Jones. The events surrounding his tenure in and out of the band as well as the band's efforts to reach out to their friend bring an unexpected emotional pull from a seemingly care-free, everyone-else-be-damned band. It's here where I have my only criticism of the film in that Jones's account of events feels unfinished and unresolved.

Still, as the film closes with the title song of the film, you get an understanding of what makes this band really great. It is and always has been in the performance. Sitting in the pews of the once-church with the gospel-inspired coda of the song bouncing against the walls, I could imagine a history of what this former place of worship might have been and what it could be with just a little promotion and recognition. In seeing the band on screen performing one of its best known, you could say the same for this collection of individuals both blessed and cursed by their unwillingness to do anything less than what they want for themselves and their art. And in leaving that night under a slight rainfall, I found myself rooting and hoping that a little sunshine would fall both on Fishbone and the neighborhood movie house.

Fishbone has been apart of me since the late 80's. Started when my cousin put in a tape for me. The album was called "In Your Face". I was hooked. By "Truth and Soul" I became part of the Family and there was no turning back. Every concert to Detroit I was there. With or without a date. This band rocks. You hear Fishbone it stirs something inside you, you may not be able to put your finger on it, its there, in your Face. This film enriched the Fishbone Family in more ways than there is space to write. If you are new to the "Family", born to the "Family" (like my kids), or married to the family;) it really don't matter this film is a must see, must have. Gives insight to the magic behind the music.

Always Still Stuck in my heart,

Kris

I finally got to see the documentary last night the Riverside Film Festival in California. Let me just start by saying I've been a fan of the band since day one... I've seen every incarnation live and pretty much loved them all. The filmmakers had the daunting task of encapsulating their massive history it into a compelling movie under 2 hours.

For the most part they did a great job. They covered the early years perfectly, including touching interviews with both Angelo and Norwood's mothers. Norwood gave a tour of the school where they all met and told the story about their initial formation which was inter cut with Angelo's interview in an occasionally hilarious fashion.

Dirty Walt's interviews were a highlight as well. I've seen him as more of a silent serious type for years. He's always been a great presence in the band. A firm and confident, yet slightly menacing anchor to the mayhem on stage. His interview showed a whole different side of him. A confident, humorous and charismatic story teller.

They also handled Kendall's breakdown and ensuing band turmoil perfectly. The Berkley reunion was touching and heartfelt as well as the subsequent Chris and Kendall meet up.

Technically, as a documentary, the movie did a great job presenting LA history. It touched on a wide range of subjects: the Black Panther movement, integrated school busing, the LA riots, the crack epidemic ... all the way to the rise and fall of the 90's Alterna-rock scene.

I would have liked to see more included on the creation of the music itself. See the band at work writing, their actual creative process. So much mention was made of their music being a groundbreaking mash up of styles, but not enough was actually shown.

As well I felt the end portion of the movie seemed overly dire. I know they had to focus on one story so they chose the initial lineup, but I think the current band is much better off than it seemed. Yes, their greatest successes with publicity and sales were with the original lineup ... but half of their career has been with other players. The current members have been performing together since 2003 to rave reviews.

I'm not saying it should have been a "love letter" to the band, ... I just feel it wasn't exactly accurate. Maybe a few extra minutes of live footage clearly mentioning that it is from the current lineup should have been highlighted. One of the reasons that they continue to persist is that they still put on an intense and passionate live show.

Anyway, glad to see that someone put the time and effort into getting the almighty Fishbone the extra attention they truly deserve.