Filmmakers are not the only independent artists
By John Esther
Back in 1979 several young Los Angeles African Americans formed Fishbone, a flamboyantly defiant, energetic band that did not look and sound like any other musical group out there. According to musical patriarchal paradigms, Fishbone looked “Rhythm and Blues” yet sounded like “Rock.”
Despite the racially market music industry of the time, that did not stop Fishbone from getting a recording contract before graduating high school; but it may have stopped them from ever achieving the success many would argue they deserve (does anybody in the musical business ever achieve what they deserve?).
As racial divides in and out of the music industry ebbed and flowed for the next three decades to our current situation – an African American is the President and the numbers of hate groups in the U.S. are up – the members of Fishbone continued on their collective accord.
Capturing the long and winding road, directors and producers Chris Metzler and Lev Anderson put the lights on the band in Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone. Looking back near and far the filmmakers look at how the personal styles of the members and the political surroundings (namely Los Angeles) shaped a band influenced and impressed musicians far more financially successful. Ice T, Gwen Stefani, Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers and others speak on camera about how special these unsung recording artists are to them personally and professionally.
Narrated by Laurence Fishburne, thanks to these multimillionaire musicians, the members of Fishbone talking about their journey, and the music itself, this Documentary Competition entry provide an opportunity of recognition the band’s longtime fans feel is way overdue, while answering questions for those who wondered what ever happened to Fishbone, plus introducing them to younger generations -- or older ones who missed the party at ground zero.
Recommended.
(Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone screens June 19, 10 p.m., Regal Cinemas; June 21, 8 p.m., Regal Cinemas; June 23, 5:30 p.m., Regal Cinemas)
