Bottles To The Ground Releases New Label Compilation Feat. New Music From Fishbone
Photo Credit Pablo MathiasonLegendary ska band Fishbone is back and more complete than they have been in years. Fishbone has returned with a new song and appearance on a compilation album featuring the group alongside a new generation of punks. Bottles To The Ground, the new indie imprint from punk rock impresario Fat Mike has released its first compilation titled Bottle Music For Broken People. Along with Fishbone, the album has contributions from Codefendants, Melvinator, The Meffs, The Skints, and more.
“We’re trying out a new thing where we put a bunch of different songs by a bunch of different bands on the same record and see what happens,”
Bottle Music For Broken People is available on both digital platforms and physical release on either 10" or 12" vinyl. Bottle Music For Broken People will feature mostly unreleased tracks from the diverse roster of Bottles To The Ground.
Easily the most anticipated track is "All We Have is Now" from Fishbone as it marks a rather historical point in the band’s career. Founding member Chris Dowd has rejoined the band and his appearance on “All We Have Is Now” is the first Fishbone track featuring him since 1994. Four of the six original members are in the current Fishbone line-up which makes ‘All We Have is Now” the first new song recorded with them in nearly three decades.
This is perhaps the most solid line-up Fishbone has had after years of rotating membership. Original members include Angelo Moore (vocals/Saxophone), Chris Dowd (Keys/Vocals), Dirty Walt (Trumpet/Vocals), and Norwood Fisher (Bass). John Steward had previously played drums with Fishbone for 18 years starting in 1999 before rejoining the group in 2021. Guitarist Mark Phillips joined the band in 2020.
In addition to their appearance on Bottle Music For Broken People, Fishbone’s involvement with Bottles to the Ground continues with a new album for the label produced by Fat Mike himself.
Fishbone’s relationship with Fat Mike extends back to his days fronting NOFX.
“Fishbone and NOFX go waaaay back,” said bassist Norwood Fisher. “We’re in the mutual admiration club, great appreciation for our individual approaches to the music that we’re known for. I don’t remember exactly when Fatty 1st expressed interest in producing Fishbone, but it seems like it was a long time ago. A random encounter in a parking lot in more recent history led to the current release. Mike is batshit crazy but highly functional, with incredible integrity and follow-through. Just right for Fishbone’s batshit crazy, dysfunctional world, yet we are this functional enough to make it this far, asses! It was a long time coming and we hope you love it as we do. Enjoy if you will…”
Since emerging from the 80s Los Angeles punk scene, Fishbone has been a critical favorite with a cult following of fans. Their performances at shows have been known to blow fans away who leave impressed by the tight musicianship and high energy of the group. Fishbone has been cited as a key proponent of third-wave ska and in particular an inspiration to Black musicians in the rock scene.
While Fishbone is known as an excellent party band, they never shied away from tackling deep issues in their music. “All We Have is Now” continues Fishbone’s signature mixing of deep thoughts with good rhythms.
“Sometimes a note to self finds its way to the song form. ‘All We Have Is Now’ is a prime example. Philosophically, it’s far from a new concept. Eckard Tolle, Allan Watts, Joseph Campbell, and many others have contemplated and pontificated on this topic. The pursuit of self-inquest, in the hopes of experiencing an extended, extraordinary sense of Being, the song, wrapped in a fully blown Fishbone party, reminds me to take advantage of the gift of the ever-present now. Feel free to interpret it however it speaks to you. Ain’t nuttin’ buttah potty…”
