Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone

This is a highly enjoyable film which takes its subject matter and art form seriously without getting over sentimental. Whether you're a fan of the band or not, you should see this. It charts the very brief flirtation with commercial success of one of the most influential but overlooked bands of the last 25 or more years and deals with the often humorous, sometimes painful but overall highly endearing and optimistic efforts of the two main driving forces in the band as they try to keep the show on the road and remain true to their art and mission.

Few music fans ever really get to see what really happens inside a working band apart from the carefully scripted press pieces and PR releases, which as bands move further away from mainstream commercial success, get fewer and father between. Also, folk often say that it's a bad idea to meet your heroes as they rarely live up to your expectations, but through this film, you get to meet the characters vicariously through the eyes and ears of the directors and take a really good long look at what makes a working band tick. The fact that the characters are so completely human, with all the dysfunctional frailties this includes, often writ very large, makes for a fascinating couple of hours.

Many well know musician 'talking heads' eulogise about the influence this band have had on them both musically and through their live performances, which ensure that in spite of all the infighting, members dropping out, dropping back in, drama's, kidnappings and so forth, the band still remain heroes of the day for their uncompromising attitude to play their music on their terms.

This coupled with some great live footage, both old and new to show the viewer what everyone else who's ever seen them knows: this is probably the best, craziest live band in the world, then and now.

Hopefully this film will win the band a bunch of new fans. It should definitely open up a whole load of opportunities for the directors who've tackled a subject with great skill and heart, ensuring that a great story is well told.

Seen at the London Open City Documentary Film Festival – June 2011

I've loved Fishbone for a very long time, but I did not expect this film to be so good. I could see viewers who aren't even fans get caught up in this story. There is excitement, drama, humor, tragedy, conflict.... you name it. The famous musicians (who were not part of the band) that are interviewed have interesting perspectives and give the film an extra layer of credibility. The filmmakers were able to pull together some amazing live footage of the band in their heyday. They have really crafted this band's story into an amazing narrative. The members of Fishbone really put their soul into that band, and they pour their hearts out on camera.

Do yourself a favor and go see this film!

This is a must see for fans of the band. I found out a lot about things that went on with the band I hadn't heard about previously. Very insightful into the the music industry and how fickle it can be. This film touches on everything from personal infighting to race relations in America during the late 70's and 80's. Why does one band make it big while others are left by the roadside or still struggling after 30 years? This film won't exactly answer that, as there's so many factors that contribute, but it does explore many of the facets of one of the hardest working bands of the last 30 years. Go see it if it's playing near you. Bring a friend or three, even if they aren't fans, they may become one after.

I finally got to see the documentary last night the Riverside Film Festival in California. Let me just start by saying I've been a fan of the band since day one... I've seen every incarnation live and pretty much loved them all. The filmmakers had the daunting task of encapsulating their massive history it into a compelling movie under 2 hours.

For the most part they did a great job. They covered the early years perfectly, including touching interviews with both Angelo and Norwood's mothers. Norwood gave a tour of the school where they all met and told the story about their initial formation which was inter cut with Angelo's interview in an occasionally hilarious fashion.

Dirty Walt's interviews were a highlight as well. I've seen him as more of a silent serious type for years. He's always been a great presence in the band. A firm and confident, yet slightly menacing anchor to the mayhem on stage. His interview showed a whole different side of him. A confident, humorous and charismatic story teller.

They also handled Kendall's breakdown and ensuing band turmoil perfectly. The Berkley reunion was touching and heartfelt as well as the subsequent Chris and Kendall meet up.

Technically, as a documentary, the movie did a great job presenting LA history. It touched on a wide range of subjects: the Black Panther movement, integrated school busing, the LA riots, the crack epidemic ... all the way to the rise and fall of the 90's Alterna-rock scene.

I would have liked to see more included on the creation of the music itself. See the band at work writing, their actual creative process. So much mention was made of their music being a groundbreaking mash up of styles, but not enough was actually shown.

As well I felt the end portion of the movie seemed overly dire. I know they had to focus on one story so they chose the initial lineup, but I think the current band is much better off than it seemed. Yes, their greatest successes with publicity and sales were with the original lineup ... but half of their career has been with other players. The current members have been performing together since 2003 to rave reviews.

I'm not saying it should have been a "love letter" to the band, ... I just feel it wasn't exactly accurate. Maybe a few extra minutes of live footage clearly mentioning that it is from the current lineup should have been highlighted. One of the reasons that they continue to persist is that they still put on an intense and passionate live show.

Anyway, glad to see that someone put the time and effort into getting the almighty Fishbone the extra attention they truly deserve.

I'll keep it short. This band hanged my life when I thought I was the only black kid who "thought different". Have been a hardcore fan since 86'. Have gotten to know them and the film nails the vibe between Angelo and Norwood. I think the absence or even mention of John Bigham of Miles Davis fame, was a disappointment as he was the 7th member and not a founding member who thickened their sound on Reality of My Surroundings. The narration was Excellent by Lawrence Fishburne and the animations were a cool throwback to Fat Albert days. The ups and downs and the adventured of recovering a wayward guitarist (I won't spoil it), would make a great screenplay actually. I've turned a few friends on to this movie who had know idea of their influence and range that are now new fans twenty something years later. It is an excellent labor of love by the directors who took a lot of time with the band and the people who they have influenced, Flea, Gwen Steffani, George Clinton, Questlove, Eugene Hutz of Gogol Bordello to name a few, Great film making