Member Since: 4/21/2006
Band Members:
Years with Fishbone : 1979-1998 Played with:
Cirque du Soleil-"Delirium" (drums/Musical Director) Busta Rhymes (drums) Seal (drums) Christina Aguilera (drums)
Weapon of Choice (drums) Red Man (drums)
Justin Timberlake (drums) Foley (drums)
Red Hot Chili Peppers (drums) George Clinton (drums)
Joi (drums) Chali Tuna (drums) Little Richard (drums)
Res (drums) Mel B (drums) Curtis Mayfield (drums)
Macy Grey (drums) The Englishbeat (drums) Shirley "Pepsi" Riley (drums)
Nikka Costa (drums) Angie Stone (drum) The Skeletones (drums)
Davina (drums) Barrington Levi (drums)
Hootie and The Blowfish (drums & percussion) John Mayer (drums)
Les Claypool's Flying Frog Brigade (drums) Timberland (drums)
Snoop Dogg (drums) The Jungle Brothers (drums)
The Black Eyed Peas (drums) Q-Tip (drums)
Pharell (drums) Wicked Wisdom (drums)
Murphy's Law (drums) N'Dea Davenport (drums) Lili Hayden (drums) Amp Fiddler (drums) Arturo Sanduval (drums)
Big Daddy Kane (drums) Common (drums) Boo Yaa Tribe (drums)
Influences: Interview with fish:What was your first big gig?
My group, Fishbone, did a school talent show when I was in 8th grade. That was my first big gig.
What kind of music influences you?The truth is that I am influenced by everything that creates sound. I listen to new and old music from many different styles with no one favorite. I dont shy away from any type of music. Im the kind of guy thats gonna explore everything. Ill put on whatever works for that specific time and place and vibe.
Does your playing change from a club or theatre setting to a huge arena venue?My playing is from my entire being, so it doesnt matter if its in front of a million people or the company of my shadow. I always exercise my intention. I strive to find the thing that makes its audience wet.
How do you work electronics into your setup?I take whatever is at my disposal and exercise my creativity. I use whatever will bring across the desired effect. Its about a sound, not a drum.
What do you think about playing along with click tracks and loops? A drummers first and foremost job is to be a timekeeper. Sometimes there are devices that can help us perform this task. Click tracks, loops, metronomes, drum machines, cds, mp3s theyre all just tools. On this gig like many others I play with a click track. It has become a standard in live performance and studio work. You do the math on how important it can be for your career.
Do you have a pre-show warm up routine?Before a show I do a series of exercises that I have created to work my hands, palms, fingers, muscles and tendons some with sticks and some without. I do the same for my forearms, feet, calves and legs. I also stretch my trunk, back and shoulders while concentrating on my breathing, mind and energy. This helps me prepare for the show physically, mentally and emotionally.
What advice would you give to young drummers who want to expand their versatility to new situations and styles?Focus on eclectic listening and practicing, welcome the unfamiliar, ponder criticism and be humble. Most drummers never pick up on these basic principles but applying them to life will expand their awareness of different styles and situations. The rudiments of modern drumming are versatility and change.
Phillip Fish Fisher was a founding member of the seminal pop/metal/funk/ska/punk band Fishbone. From their inception in 1984 in California, the band forged a new creative sound, which became a major influence for many of todays hottest bands and led the way for the acceptance of new twists of genres in popular and alternative music. You can hear Fish's brilliant and tasteful drumming on Fishbone recordings from 1985 to 1997.Currently you can hear Fish on recordings for various artists and commercials world wide.
Sounds Like: Miscellaneous Crew - filmography
0. Dead Man Walking (1995) (musician: drums)Filmography as: Miscellaneous Crew, Actor, Himself
Actor - filmography
0. Back to the Beach (1987) .... Fishbone... aka Malibu Beach Girls (USA)Filmography as: Miscellaneous Crew, Actor, Himself
Himself - filmography
Justin Timberlake: Down Home in Memphis - One Night Only (2003) (TV) (as Philip 'Fish' Fisher) .... Himself (JT's band)Filmography as: Miscellaneous Crew, Actor, Himself
Actor - filmography
0. I'm Gonna Get You Sucka .... Fishbone/Curtis Mayfield ... Fly Guy's Theme Music
(USA)Filmography as: Miscellaneous Crew, Actor, Himself
Actor - Television
The Dave Chappel Show "Tron's Gang"http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0279735/
Fish's DW Drum & Hardware Setup:Bass Drums: 16x18, 18x20 Collectors Maple
Snare Drum: 6x10 Collectors Maple, 5x14 Edge, 5x14 Copper
Rack Toms: 7x10, 8x12 Collectors Maple, 2x8 Piccolo
Floor Toms: 13x15, 14x16 Collectors Maple
Woofers: 8x18 Collectors MapleHardware: 5000TD Bass Drum Pedal, 5502TD Double Bass Drum Pedal,
5500TD Hi-Hat Stand (x2), 9210 C-Hat Closed Hi-Hat Arm,
5502LB Remote Hi-Hat Stand, 9300 Snare Drum Stand (x2),
9700 Straight/Boom Cymbal Stand (x5), 9900 Double Tom
Stand (x2), 9100M Drum ThroneFinish: Exotic Zebrawood with Chrome Hardware
Record Label: Salty Seed Music Unlimited, Inc.
Type of Label: Indie