Twenty-five years ago: Fishbone The Reality of My Surroundings
It was on this day in 1991 that an album came out that knocked me on my ass. The songs, the production, the musicianship, the performance and the way the whole album fits together with interludes and off-kilter tunes along with more accessible anthems was a revelation. It has elements of metal along with tons of funk and rock. They lyrics paint an unabashedly pessimistic yet realistic view of modern inner city urban life with a heavily anti-drug message, mixed with an undeniable uplifting and optimistic undertone. The album is The Reality of My Surroundings and the band is Fishbone.
Here are my favourite tunes from this incredible album. I've also been lucky enough to photograph the band twice. Click through to check out my pictures of Fishbone at The Horseshoe Tavern and at TURF, The Toronto Urban Roots Festival.