Critical Times - Fishbone's Hen House Sessions is a 2001 DVD release by Fishbone

Fishbone

Fishbone is a U.S. alternative rock band formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California, which plays a fusion of ska, punk rock, funk, hard rock and soul. Critics have noted of the band: "Fishbone was one of the most distinctive and eclectic alternative rock bands of the late '80s...

 recorded at Hen House Studios, a free community recording studio in Venice, California.

The film centers primarily on the creation, mutation and recording of the songs in the studio - giving a privileged viewpoint as if one were a member of the band. Some members Fishbone felt that they were at a critical moment in the band's history, and that the sessions could lead to a mainstream breakthrough or a total breakdown. The seamless blend of multi-angle cinéma vérité

Cinéma vérité

Cinéma vérité is a style of documentary filmmaking, combining naturalistic techniques with stylized cinematic devices of editing and camerawork, staged set-ups, and the use of the camera to provoke subjects. It is also known for taking a provocative stance toward its topics.There are subtle yet...

 and time lapse photography turns day to night and back again as the band pleads, cajoles, argues and uses every trick in the book to bring their music alive. Critical Times also delves into personal lives, politics, factions in the band and competing musical styles.

Track listing

1. "Frayed Fucking Nerve Endings"
2. "Last Dayz, Critical Times"
3. "Premadawnutt"
4. "Demon in Here"
5. "Skank N' Go Nutts" (alternate cut)

Personnel

• Angelo Moore
  Angelo Moore
  Angelo Christoper Moore is an American musician, best known for his work as the founding member, lead singer and saxophonist for the Los Angeles alternative rock band Fishbone. Moore also performs and records spoken word poetry under the stage name of Dr. Madd Vibe.-Biography:In 1993 he released a...
  
   - saxophone, vocals
• Walter A. Kibby II - trumpet, vocals
• Spacey T - guitar
• John McKnight - keyboards, trombone, guitar
• John Norwood Fisher
  John Norwood Fisher
  John Norwood Fisher is the bass player and founder for the band Fishbone. Fisher has played bass in the band throughout its history, even as other members have departed and returned...
  
  - bass, vocals
• John Steward - drums

External links

• "Critical Times"
• Fishbone