Fishbone should have been gigantic, but The Reality Of My Surroundings (1991) was the closest they ever got. There was literally nothing this band couldn’t play, style-wise. They touched on reggae, metal, funk, ska, r&b, blues…just effortlessly jumping boundaries and making it all swing and seem like the coolest party in town. As a live band they influenced the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane’s Addiction, Primus and many others. I got to see them twice, and they were simply magical. Sporting multiple lead vocalists and containing a horn section among the members of the band gave Fishbone nearly unlimited possibilities, and this album showcased that diversity in nearly every track. My favorites include Sunless Saturday, Pray To The Junkiemaker, Fight The Youth, So Many Millions, Everyday Sunshine, and the funk monster Naz-Tee May’en! There is a super entertaining documentary about Fishbone that charters their rise and fall and also their tenacity. They are still out there playing shows and bringing the party to the people.

Written By Braddon D. Williams