Quickie Q&A: Fishbone, the English Beat

The godfathers of ska talk about their joint tour

By Scott Thill

Special to Metromix

Names: Angelo Moore, Dave Wakeling
Occupations: Vocalists and leaders of Fishbone and the English Beat, respectively
Sounds like: Two pioneering titans of ‘80s ska-rock
Latest project: “Spring Skaward” U.S. tour, plus a new Fishbone documentary
Official Web sites: http://www.fishbone.net; http://www.thebeatuk.com

As the kinetically amped front man for punk-funketeers Fishbone, Angelo Moore has destroyed stages and blown minds since the early '80s. Similarly, as the spearhead of the English Beat's invasion of the '80s pop mainstream, Dave Wakeling has written some of the most memorable songs in existence, including “Mirror in the Bathroom” and “Too Nice to Talk To.” The two join forces through February and March to school Generation Xbox on their true-school fusions of ska, rock and pop, using their decades-deep catalogs as textbooks. Don’t worry, this won’t be on the test.

Both of you are celebrating band anniversaries: the 30th anniversary of the Beat's debut album "I Just Can't Stop It" and the 25th anniversary of Fishbone's breakthough single, "Party at Ground Zero." What's the best gift we could give you?
Angelo Moore: Mega-advertisement.
Dave Wakeling: A nice big, bouncing, dancing audience. Followed by a nice big, full-bodied cup of tea. 

Do you both have new music coming up in 2010? What can we look forward to?
Angelo: We've got new music coming up. Just keep saving your money.
Dave: We've already done eight demos that record companies liked, and just finished eight more. We expect to be recording and releasing tracks this year. 

Angelo, what's the word on that Fishbone documentary?
Angelo: "Everyday Sunshine," the Fishbone documentary, will be coming out sometime this March at the film festivals.

Seriously, how long until the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame gets off its nut and invites you in?
Angelo: I think they'll invite us in when they save enough money for compensation for all of the time that Fishbone, the English Beat and more have put into making the scene what it is today.
Dave: My guitar is in there, and that's enough for me!  

Your tour is springing with ska. What is it about the sound that still captivates you?
Angelo: The chug-a-lug of the rhythm.
Dave: It is, by definition, upbeat. And I think that sense of optimism is especially helpful in tough times, like many are going through right now. 

Who's got the crazier stage show, and why?
Dave: Fishbone. Because they're crazy.
Angelo: Sorry man, it's hard for me to answer that one. The fan can. It's hard to tell from where I'm standing, because I'm looking at the show in the audience.