The first thing that entered my mind when Fishbone took the stage at Mesa’s Nile Theatre on Thursday May 7th was how many artists the band influenced over four decades of its existence.
We’re talking members of Red Hot Chili Peppers, No Doubt, Primus, and Ice-T for starters. It could also be argued there wouldn’t be Jane’s Addiction, Living Colour, or King’s X either without Fishbone paving the way for them— directly or indirectly.
The veteran band’s musical approach is pretty much all over the map, which is part of the appeal for its loyal cult following. 2026 is the 40-year anniversary of its debut full-length album In Your Face.
They wasted no time getting the 18-song, 95-minute set started with the last song on the album, Post Cold War Politics, prior to When Problems Arise. There really is something for everybody with their music. There are songs like I Wish I Had A Date and Movement In The Light, the latter more R&B than rock.
It’s also hard not to notice and hear the influence of Sly And The Family Stone and Parliament Funkadelic on Fishbone as well. Two significant bands where there were basically no rules when it came to the music.
Yes, there’s been several incarnations of the band. But the current lineup of Angelo Moore (lead vocals, saxophone), Christopher Dowd (keyboards, trombone, vocals), James Jones (bass), Hassan Hurd (drums), John “JS” Williams II (trumpet, vocals) and Tracey “Spacey T” Singleton on guitar is indeed a stellar incarnation overall.
Back onstage, there were two new songs in the set from 2025’s Stockholm Syndrome. Secret Police, where Dowd led the crowd with chants of “Fuck ICE” throughout. Not to be outdone, Racist Piece Of Shit was musically infectious yet lyrically scathing toward Donald Trump and his current administration. Frankly, they didn’t mince words on that.
As the set concluded with two songs from 1991’s The Reality Of My Surroundings, Everyday Sunshine and Sunless Saturday, Moore made a plea to the audience to support “REAL music played by REAL musicians”, critiquing the AI rage of today. Pretty hard to argue with that statement.
I have to say that the second band on the bill, Piñata Protest, was pretty unique in its own right as well. Now that I think about it, that’s exactly why they were an ideal fit to open for Fishbone.
They’re described as “Tex-Mex punk”, which isn’t far off the mark. Songs like Life On The Border and Vato Perron definitely have that kind of bent to them. Like Fishbone, social commentary plays a significant role in their music as well.
In fact, lead vocalist Alvaro Del Norte took to the mic to talk about how “divided” the country is right now. He reminded everybody to “be kind” to one another and how “we’re all entitled to our opinions”. But when it comes to “racism, sexism and homophobia”, that’s when it’s “okay” to “fight back”, he added defiantly.
It’s not far-fetched to say that Piñata Protest arguably gave Fishbone a run for the money that night. They just might be a band to watch in 2026. Hopefully, good things will go their way.
Opening local act Bowcat even went over fairly well. The crowd was considerably smaller during their 30-minute set, yet seemed to enjoy what they had to offer. Songs like Train Wreck, One Way Ticket and Crash and Burn were probably the most well-received in their set.
With that, the final verdict? I’ll give Fishbone four out of five stars. Go see them.
Fishbone
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2026, All Rights Reserved
Piñata Protest
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2026, All Rights Reserved
Bowcat
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2026, All Rights Reserved
