A Triumphant, Genre-bending Return From One Of Music’s Most Fearless Bands
Published
Stockholm Syndrome
Fishbone
After nearly two decades without a full-length studio album, Fishbone returns with a vengeance on Stockholm Syndrome—a blistering, brass-laced record that fuses ska, funk, punk, and soul into an unrelenting musical protest. As wild and unpredictable as ever, this record finds the band sharper, louder, and more lyrically potent than they’ve been in years.
The album’s title is no accident. Fishbone tackles the concept of societal complacency with unapologetic fury. Tracks like “Racist Piece of Shit” and “Secret Police” rage against systemic injustice, police brutality, and modern fascism, while songs like “Suckered by Sabotage” and “Dog Eat Dog” channel chaos into tight, groove-heavy jams.
Founding members Angelo Moore and Chris Dowd are back in command, supported by a revitalized lineup that includes the return of guitarist Tracey “Spacey T” Singleton, trumpeter John “JS” Williams, drummer Hassan Hurd, and bassist James “Jimi” Jones. The chemistry is undeniable—every track pops with urgency, precision, and the kind of barely-contained mayhem that only Fishbone can pull off.
Other highlights include, “Last Call in America,” a horn-driven funk odyssey featuring George Clinton; the manic ragtime romp “Gelato the Clown”; the horn-soaked, Two-Tone- soul jam marinated in swampy blues of “Hellhounds on My Trail”; and the Tosh and Marley flavoured “Why Do We Keep Dying”; the album closes with the soul-stirring “Love is Love,” which provides a rare moment of tenderness after the storm.
Produced by Fishbone alongside Aryon Davis and Chris McGrew, and mixed by Cameron Webb, Stockholm Syndrome sounds raw yet full-bodied—a deliberate choice that lets the band's energy and message take center stage.
In a time when many acts lean on nostalgia, Fishbone surges forward. If Fishbone is new to you, I guarantee they are likely your favourite band's favourite band. If you’ve lost touch with Fishbone over the years, it’s time to come back and join the party. Stockholm Syndrome isn’t just a resurgence; it’s a battle cry. It proves that Fishbone is still one of the most vital and unflinching voices in American music.
