‘Everyday Sunshine’: Documentary gets to the meat of Fishbone | 2½ stars

By JON NICCUM

Special to The Star

Director from KC follows his California dreams

‘EVERYDAY SUNSHINE’

* * 1/2

Not rated Time: 1:47

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I came across Fishbone in 1985 during the Los Angeles band’s first tour that led through Lawrence.

While a sophomore at KU, I met three of the members at the student radio station prior to a concert at the Bottleneck.

Impressed with their wit and humor — and the fact they were fellow 19-year-olds — I eagerly attended the gig with about 50 other novice fans. To this day, I consider it the best live show I ever witnessed.

Apparently, quite a few other people feel the same about this talented, energetic, influential and never-that-successful band that continues to tour 26 years later. Hence the release of “Everyday Sunshine,” a conventional-yet-revealing documentary about Fishbone by filmmakers Lev Anderson and former Independence resident Chris Metzler.

The effort offers unfettered access to the group’s revolving lineup, which doesn’t always result in a flattering portrait. This is not a feel-good story, and at times it’s painful to sit through. The level of resentment and animosity the members have accrued over the years is at constant odds with their creativity and liveliness.

“It caught L.A. off guard,” rapper Ice-T says of Fishbone’s emergence.

Compared to the contemporary gangster rap of the region, the band was a complete anomaly. Here were black guys sporting Mohawks and mod clothing who played a mixture of hard rock, punk, ska and more.

Former Minutemen bassist Mike Watt recalls, “I’ve seen them do every style — in the same song!”

Watt joins a batch of musicians and celebrities who praise the act, including Tim Robbins, Gwen Stefani and Branford Marsalis. Actor Laurence Fishburne narrates the film.

Through some inventive animation, “Everyday Sunshine” details how mandatory busing brought these inner-city kids to predominantly white Valley schools. Their shared urban experience and musicianship fostered a deep bond in junior high. Within a year of graduating high school, they had a record deal with Columbia.

By 1991, the sextet was at its peak. An appearance on “Saturday Night Live” coincided with a Spike Lee-directed video for the single “Sunless Saturday.”

Things were looking sunny, indeed. Then things got weird.

The filmmakers crosscut the imagery of the Rodney King trial and subsequent riots with the beginning of major dissent within the band. Escalating fallout included losing a member to a cult, fights, lawsuits and relentless internal hostility. The film implies that the constant pressures of never quite grasping fame slowly drove most of the performers bonkers.

By the time the documentary focuses on the current incarnation of Fishbone, only two of the original six are still involved. Bassist Norwood Fisher surfaces as the steadfast but somewhat domineering presence, while frontman Angelo Moore is the chaotic spark plug. Despite being the epitome of unbridled hedonism in the classic rock star sense, Moore gets evicted from his house and is forced to move back in with his mom.

“Everyday Sunshine” presents a raw lesson in how artistry and success often make incompatible partners. But like the band’s early anthem “Party at Ground Zero” emphasizes: “Please do not fear ’cause Fishbone is here to say …”

The fearless Fishbone has proven it is indeed here to stay. “Everyday Sunshine” suggests this is partly because the band members have nowhere else to go.

(At the Screenland Crossroads.)