Citizen Fish
Empire
Richmond, VA
By Jillian Abbene
(SugarBuzz Wash DC/Richmond)
SugarBuzz Magazine
The empire is unbelievably too small for this gig and although everyone is sandwiched together, this doesn’t seem to deter anyone from leaving.
Rightfully so, like a push from within, “Working On The Inside,” off their latest split with Leftover Crack opens in ska-beat. Miguel trumps on trombone dominating with syncopations on verses one and two. Air-steady notes over heavy-political lyrics about the government interior corruption eventually collapsing under its own weight is only the tip of the iceberg. Thought-provoking, the kids in the front crowd even closer.
Creeping in, “Social Security,” dubs in Phil’s bass and lead guitar convincingly replaces trumpet solos, adding a clever touch. With “Give Me Beethoven,” the live version is significantly magnified as Jasper begins the Beethoven’s 9th symphony riff, rupturing into split-ska. The crowd is now loose-skanking, and Dick is scrambling in crammed but concise lyrics. A perfect example of using music as a weapon and to prove a point.
An M8 guitar switches and bass-reverb plucks into a full groove reigning Dick and Phil in supporting chorus. Leaping into a melodic falsetto (minusing the ska), a crazy break into an intricate guitar solo has Dick plodding out verse and skanking in beat-time as the song ends in a one-verse pseudo-falsetto.
“Back To Square One,” – also off their new CD, drops in with ticks from Sila’s metal drum rim. Slower reverbed guitar strokes crack wide-open a prominent heavy-dirge ‘Misfits’ crawl. Maligning emotive vocals is effective as Dick pastes monotoned lyrics and twists the song into a message about close-minded prejudiced people who gravitate towards the safe and familiar--instead of embracing positive change.
Introducing the next song, and proclaiming in disgust, Dick points out in, “Meltdown,” how consumers settle for ‘suicide burgers from McDonald’s.’ Just as the song is taking off, Phil’s strings break. The band kills time by Miguel steps down on trombone and improvs with some rap. Guitar and drum pick up the beat as Dick throws in the comment, “It’s a plastic dream.” Phil is back on track and the band starts up again. The instruments seem noticeably magnified—as if breathing new life into the show. This effect gives full permission for the front of the audience to sway and flail. Me? I was skanking on top of a side bench.
After an encore-shouting of, “Sink or Swim,” swelling lyrics adds a visual impact. This song among others are about letting go of materialism, to regain what we have globally lost, and that despite careful planning the ‘ebb’ of life catches up—so you might as well and just embrace it. What a profound and cleverly placed message carved into the frame of the song. In the middle, Jasper falsettos while Dick skips in with sharp-edged vocals. A dred-head proceeds to join in the chorus singing, “wider than a postcard.” Commanding in full-skank mode, the song ends in a trombone slide.
Although, “Swap,” is new to me, Dick explains to the crowd that money should be replaced by a swap. Then grabbing an empty sock from his backpack, Jasper and Miguel improvise on vocals and trombone as an audience volunteer swaps a small ring from her finger for the empty sock. As Dick attempts to slide the ring on his pinky finger, the song grooves into a faster, more energized ska-beat. Onlookers are now climbing on top of the booths to get a glimpse. With the crowd in full grin, it finishes the song and the set.