Fishbone’s Stockholm Syndrome — Proof That You Can’t Cage a Funk-Punk Octopus
On June 27th, Stockholm Syndrome, the long-awaited full-length from those mavericks of musical genius Fishbone, arrives—marking their first studio album in over 20 years.
Angelo Moore of Fishbone – Photo ©dickslaughterphoto
I feel honored at the prospect of reviewing this 2025 time capsule from a phenomenal band that’s been defying categorization for 46 years. Forever thought-provoking. Forever pushing the boundaries of the shit-stem. Forever fearless in their social commentary. Forever mischievous. Forever RED HOT. Yes—that Fishbone. One of the longest-running true punk bands telling it like it is since 1979.
“But they’re not punk,” I hear the naysayers cry. Wikipedia has them down as funk, metal, alt rock, ska, punk, and funk rock. That list misses a few—jazz, blues, gospel come to mind. Which makes them more punk than most. As slippery and hard to catch as the slimiest of hagfish in a barrel of soap. Fishbone can’t be pinned down. Not album to album, not track to track. But lyrically? They’ve always been punk—piercing honesty, zero filter, and authenticity that never flinches.
This album is Fishbone in 2025: unblinking, unrelenting, and unwilling to pull punches when it comes to the state of the world, politics, and the suffocating realities that surround us.
Angelo Moore of Fishbone - Photo © John Greenwood
1. “Last Call in America”
Previously reviewed on In Spite. Funky, expansive, urgent. A bassline from the P-Funk playbook powers this revolution dance track. A song that shouts about Breonna Taylor, police brutality, qualified immunity, bigotry, environmental justice, Citizens United—it’s all here. Fishbone brings bravery, hope, and empowerment, and this is the perfect opener.
2. “Adolescent Regressive Behavior”
“Back when I was a pup, on the loose and cuttin’ up...” Jolly and chaotic, full of brass, and possibly reflecting on recent tensions between original members. A throwback jive ride that I enjoyed immensely.
3. “Dog Eat Dog”
A weary look at the seedy underbelly of the music industry. Melancholy horns and a slower tempo make this one hit with weight.
4. “Suckered by Sabotage”
Total thrash-punk intro, then a dub reggae verse, then funk, then back again. Classic Fishbone genre-hopping brilliance. A song about the fear of failure—and success.
Angelo Moore of Fishbone – Photo ©dickslaughterphoto
5. “Secret Police”
Opens with breezy, hypnotic guitar that quickly clashes with a gut-punch of a first lyric. I’m not spoiling it. You’ll have to hear it. A track that lulls and shocks—just as it should.
6. “Gelato the Clown”
Circus-themed 1920s doo-wop jazz, Jon Hendricks-style. A funny but pointed meditation on resilience in the face of bullies. "Karma cashback bully bash refund."
7. “Why Do We Keep On Dying”
Reggae in the tradition of Burning Spear or Bob Marley. Uplifting harmonies, but a clear revolutionary message at its core.
8. “Hellhounds on My Tail”
A contender for my favorite track. This one could’ve come straight from the Blue Beat label. Vintage ska, top to bottom—Laurel Aitken would be proud.
9. “Racist Piece of Shit”
No ambiguity here. This is Fishbone at their most confrontational: “Drinking the Kool-Aid of a mad orange king, another Kid Rock with all the hate talk.” A co-favorite, and one of the album’s sharpest moments.
10. “Living on the Upside Down”
An alien perspective on our mess of a species. I can imagine this coming with a surrealist MTV-era video. A big, cinematic track.
11. “All About Us”
Full-brass jazz swing with teeth. An ode to white supremacy’s ongoing grip on society. Think Richard Pryor meets revolutionary bebop. “Justice means just us.”
12. “Love Is Love”
A graceful, gospel-tinged ballad to close it out. Gentle, hopeful, and inclusive—a necessary counterpart to the urgent opening track.
Angelo Moore of Fishbone – Photo ©dickslaughterphoto
Fishbone are now gearing up to join Less Than Jake on tour and hit the Long Beach and D.C. stops of the 2025 Vans Warped Tour. Check the schedule, grab a ticket, and don’t miss the chance to experience Stockholm Syndrome live. It’s Fishbone at full power—uncompromising, untamed, and undeniably essential.
