The Michigan Daily - Friday, March 18, 1994 - 9 -Fishbone's one happy family COCTEAU TWINS /THEVELDT 3y TED WATTS "We try to get together mostly the aspect of family. '3rotherhood, sisterhood, familyhood, looking ateverybody is one. We gotta deal with each other on that level instead >f on the separatist political level that always fucks shit up .. Getting rid of that racism, man, gotta get rid of it." So paid Walter Adam Kibby II, trumpet player for Fishbone *ibout his band's thematic paradigms. This is hardly urprising, considering the various anti-racism songs in he group's quiver of tunes, such as the specifically anti- ;kinhead "Fight the Youth" or the system-indicting 'Properties of Propaganda." However, it's good to nlighten the uninformed about this long-running sextet's iarious aspects. Here are the basics. Ever since their debut 1985 EP Party at Ground Zero," Fishbone has made their own rand of funk, ska, rock and jazz-influenced partying *nusic. They've proved themselves to be one of the most Jiverse bands of recent memory. Their most recent release, 'Give A Monkey A Brain And He'll Think He's The .enter Of The Universe," is the best example of this. Kibby explained: "We listen to everybody, it makes no lifference. (And when) you like different styles of music and you're a musician, then you want to play them. Why be restricted to doing one style of music or one brand or whatever when you can do them all?" In addition to being highly respected for their studio 0work, Fishbone has a tremendous reputation as a live band. Their shows are rumored to be one of the most 2nergetic phenomena to be seen in mid-sized clubs. "It's what we do, it's what we grew up doing, so it's just a natural thing for us. It's what we like to do most; get on that stage and rock it for a few hours." Recalling the sense of family, Kibby said, "We get to deal with the people, the people get to deal with us, and we just get to deal together. We can actually touch them." Touching the fans was much more difficult for the group at Lollapalooza last summer than at the average Fishbone gig. However, the biggest complaint of the band was the "political bullshit that rolls around Lollapalooza," according to Kibby. "Other than that, it's nothing but a big picnic that needs more educational things in it." Their opinion on the Milan Dragway water-tainting debacle last year is: "That's more political bullshit to make you spend your money. Now you all need to protest." Despite the water poisoning, though, Fishbone swam through Lolla' to hordes of moshing fans. People really got into them and after an interval of overseas touring, the same seems true now. "(The current tour) has been going well. Most of the places have all been selling out and the crowds have been looking good. The kids have been getting hyped up." Of course, the intensity of the opening metal bands Biohazard and Kyuss is certainly a handy work-up factor. "We were looking for someone to go out and party down with us. Those cats were available to do it, they wanted to do it, now they're out here doing it. Rocking and rolling. Showing us their style. Giving us that flavor." You've gotta love a band that can refer to Biohazard as "cats." FISHBONE will be rocking with Biohazard and Kyuss at St. Andrews in Detroit on Saturday. Sorry, youngin's - it's 18 and over only. Doors open at 9 p.m. Call 961- MELT for details. ,< ,; :, > : ::. Prepare to be swept away on a tide of musical bliss: it's the Cocteau Twins and special guests, the Veldt, tonight at the State Theatre. The Cocteaus have been around for what seems like forever, honing their trancey, shimmering music and helping to pioneer the important British art-rock record label 4 AD. At their best, on such albums as "Heaven or Las Vegas," and "Garlands," they stand head and shoulders above their contemporaries; bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Chapterhouse, and His Name is Alive owe at least some of their career to their hazily beautiful music. One of the most interesting bands they have influenced is the Veldt, who blend elements of rap, soul and trance-rock to innovative effect; one hears parts of Echo and the Bunnymen, Love, the Jesus and Mary Chain and Sly and the Family Stone masterfully blended into something different altogether but with a familiar, timeless feel. Their album, "Afrodisiac," is a real discovery, including such gems as "It's Over," "Soul in a Jar," and "Revolutionary Sister." Unlike many bands heralded as "revelatory," the Veldt is actually quite good and very listenable. So bliss out at the State Theatre tonight; call 961-5450 for details. BUFFALO Continued from page 8 though it's a huge audience and it's a very successful band, I think that they have always had a sense of integrity and a sense of intelligence about them. I think that's the only thing that saves us, we can go out and play with people like that and people should respond to it. But we could go down in flames, you never know. It'll be fun no matter what." GRANT LEE BUFFALO will open for Pearl Jam at the Masonic Temple in Detroit on Saturday and at Crisler Arena on Sunday; doors open 7 p.m. for the Crisler show - GLB hit the stage at 8. Picture it. Eight beautiful women. Eight beautiful voices. No instruments. Just those eight voices' filling Rackham Auditorium. It's a beautiful image, isn't it? Well, brace yourselves. This image will become a reality on Saturday night when the Harmonettes take the stage for their Spring Concert. The famous sub-group of the Women's Glee Club - Cindy, Angela, Trish, Jen, Rened, Rachel, Patty and Lauren -is back after a rock 'em, sock 'em, bring-down- the-house performance at Monsters of A Capella, and their Spring Concert promises to be just as exciting. Their unique blend of a capella harmony, strong vocals and fun personalities has made them a .favorite across campus. And you can have all this for just $5! We know, you're thinking it's too good to be true. But we jest not. So run - don't walk - to the Union Ticket office, and then get your fanny to Rackham on Saturday night. It's general admission, so get there early for a good seat. QU ALITY DRY CLEANING AND SHIRT SERVICE 332 Maynard St. across from Nickels Arcade 668-6335 I v University of Michigan School of Music Thursday-Saturday, March 17-19 MFA Dance Thesis Concert I Tickets: $5 (763-5460) Betty Pease Studio Theatre, Dance Building, 8 p.m. Saturday, March 19 Digital Music Ensemble Stephen Rush, director Frank Zappa's Bebop Tango, plus student works featuring infrared sensors, improvisation software, and computer animation/video McIntosh Theatre, School of Music, 8 p.m., free Sunday, March 20 UMS Faculty Artists Concert Michigan Chamber Players Boccherini Oboe Quintet; Ponchielli Quartet for Winds and Piano; Mozart Piano Quartet in E-flat; Saint-Satns Septet Tickets: University Musical Society (764-2538) Rackham Auditorium, 4 p.m. Guest Recital with Tubist Dan Burdick Works by Telemann and Koetsier Recital Hall, School of Music, 12 noon, free Digital Music Ensemble (See Saturday) McIntosh Theatre, School of Music, 4 p.m., free Monday, March 21 Michigan Youth Ensembles Christopher Creviston, Jerry Blackstone, Dennis Glocke, Shelley Axelson, and Michael Webster conduct the Michigan Youth Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Singers, Band, Symphony Orchestra Hill Auditorium, 7 p.m., free Tuesday, March 22 University Philharmonia & Symphony Orchestras Donald Schleicher and Vincent Danner, conductors " Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 1 (Sun-Young Oh, soloist) " Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor Hill Auditorium, 7 p.m., free Wednesday, March 23 Indiana University Soul Revue Dr. William C. Banfield, director Music of urban black America, including Motown, soul, funk, and recent styles, performed by vocalists, rappers, dancers, and band Rackham Auditorium, 8 p.m., free Thursday-Sunday, March 24-27 Mozart's The Magic Flute Opera Theatre Production; sung in English You don't know it yet -- but we are part of your education! - _ 1"irH.i I i ,. I c We're here for YOU this term: * great hours