Reel Big Fish

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Biography

Reel Big Fish is an American ska punk band from Huntington Beach, California , best known for the 1997 hit " Sell Out (song)|Sell Out ". The band gained mainstream recognition in the mid-to-late 1990s, during the Third wave ska|third wave of ska with the release of the gold certified album Turn the Radio Off . Soon after, the band lost mainstream recognition but gained an underground following. The band was no longer signed to a major record label in 2006 and is currently independent. After many line-up changes throughout the years, front man Aaron Barrett remains the only founding member in the band.

History

Early success (1992-1999)

Reel Big Fish released a demo in 1992 which is now called "In The Good Old Days". With the departure of Ben Guzman, then backup vocalist Aaron Barrett took his place as lead singer. The band then changed their genre to ska.

Reel Big Fish's self-released debut album, Everything Sucks (Reel Big Fish album)|Everything Sucks , was successful and became an underground hit spread by word-of-mouth, which led to the band signing a deal with Mojo Records . In August 1996, the band released the album Turn the Radio Off on the new label, which appealed to fans of ska punk style, and the band began touring throughout the United States . After the single " Sell Out (song)|Sell Out " became well known in mainstream venues, including MTV , the album peaked at number 57 on the Billboard (magazine)|Billboard charts, staying on the charts for 32 weeks. However, the ska revival was short-lived, and their 1998 album Why Do They Rock So Hard? failed to match the sales of the band's previous record. In 1998, the band appeared in the movie BASEketball , performing in the stands to rouse the crowd. The band also collaborated on the Baseketball (soundtrack)|soundtrack with a cover of a-ha 's " Take on Me ". Why Do They Rock So Hard? was the last album for three members of the band. Trombonist Grant Barry took leave and trumpet player Tavis Werts was fired. Drummer Andrew Gonzales left the team to spend more time with his family. Reel Big Fish then had a changing cast of drummers and trumpeters over the next six years.

Major label years (2000-2005)

In 2002 the band fared much better on the rock charts, particularly because of the single "Where Have You Been? ", which did not prominently feature the horn section. Former Suburban Rhythm drummer Carlos de la Garza and ex- Spring Heeled Jack U.S.A. trumpeter Tyler Jones, who tracked for two songs on Cheer Up! (because Werts had already done the majority of recording before his departure), were brought in. De la Garza's last concert with Reel Big Fish was on June 20, 2003 at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California . That concert was later released as a DVD in the The Show Must Go Off! series. Jones appeared in the Music Videos for Where Have You Been? and Monkey Man , and continued to play live in Reel Big Fish until early 2005. He was replaced by trumpeter John Christianson (musician)|John Christianson , who had played with Barrett in The Forces of Evil .

On April 5, 2005, Reel Big Fish released their fourth album on Mojo; '' We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy ''. Justin Ferreira (who replaced De La Garza) was on drums for the recording, but left before the album's release to join the Orange County band Takota and subsequently is listed as an additional musician on the CD. He was replaced by Ryland Steen .

Compared to the previous album ( Cheer Up! ), which was more lighthearted and cheerful, Allmusic describes the songs in ''We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy as "angry" and "embittered", but also deemed the album as "super catchy". Common themes expressed throughout the songs include jealousy, regret, short-lasting fame, and disappointment toward mainstream record companies.

Aaron Barrett has stated that ''We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy was "the third record in a trilogy" that began with Turn the Radio Off . "The first one was about being in a band and trying to make it. Then Why Do They Rock So Hard? '' was like, 'we've made it, we're rock stars'. Cheer Up!|Cheer Up we made because we had to make it. But ''We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy'' is about us being old and jaded now."

Independent work (2006-present)

While on tour in early 2006, Reel Big Fish were dropped from the Jive Records label. The band formed their own label and released a 3-disc live performance CD/DVD set, Our Live Album Is Better Than Your Live Album . This package became available on July 18, 2006 on the Internet and in retail stores on August 22. Jive later released a Reel Big Fish greatest hits album, Greatest Hit...And More , because they owned the rights to all previous songs. The band did not approve of, or make any money from the album, and have spoken out against it.

On February 20, 2007, the band released Duet All Night Long , which is a split EP with Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer . It features six cover songs (three from each band), with the vocalist of each band performing in the other band's songs (except in the case of Scott Klopfenstein singing in the song, "Say Say Say".)

Reel Big Fish released their first studio album since leaving Jive Records ; '' Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps For Free '' worldwide on July 10, 2007, on the Rock Ridge Music record label. On June 26, 2007, shortly before its release, the band announced in a Myspace blog that Matt Wong was leaving the band to spend more time with his wife and newborn child. He was replaced by Derek Gibbs who played bass in Jeffries Fan Club and Aaron Barrett's now defunct side project, The Forces Of Evil . Since Matt Wong was very popular with fans, some were skeptical of the new bassist's ability, but the band has stated that Derek is "Matt Wong Approved" and fans have nothing to worry about. Gibbs had been filling in for Wong on various tours since early 2002.

On December 19, 2007, the band announced that they would play the entire Warped Tour 2008 .

Reel Big Fish released a new studio album on January 20, 2009. Absolutepunk.net . October 16, 2008. The name of the album is Fame, Fortune and Fornication , and it consists of 10 cover songs. Another album, A Best of Us for the Rest of Us , featuring a 22-track disc of re-recorded songs and a 14-track disc of "Skacoustic" versions produced by lead singer Aaron Barrett, was released on July 20, 2010. An extended version of the album, A Best of Us for the Rest of Us (Bigger Better Bonus Deluxe Version) , was released on June 21, 2011. They also intend to work on a new album, recording new songs in the fall of 2010. The band has also recorded a live DVD at The Grove of Anaheim|The Grove in Anaheim, California|Anaheim , California, on January 4, 2009; which was released on July 21, 2009 with the title Reel Big Fish Live& #33; In Concert! In an interview with 'The Examiner', Aaron Barrett stated that he planned on releasing a new album, with all new material, in late 2011. Also in an interview with 'Rewritethescene.com', Aaron has stated interest in a Holiday album.

On January 11, 2011, the band announced that longtime member Scott Klopfenstein would be leaving the band to focus on raising a family. Punknews.org. January 11, 2011. Matt Appleton of Goldfinger (band)|Goldfinger began filling in for Scott on the band's 20th Anniversary Tour, and he has since been announced as a permanent replacement. This marks the first time since 1995 that the band has had a saxophone player.

Band members

Reel Big Fish lineups >

(1992& ndash;1994) In the Good Old Days Ben Guzman - lead vocals Aaron Barrett - guitar , backing vocals Lisa Smith - guitar Matt Wong - bass guitar\|bass Zach Gilltrap - electronic keyboard\|keyboards / synthesizer s Andrew Gonzales (drummer)\|Andrew Gonzales - drum kit\|drums
(1994) Return of the Mullet Aaron Barrett - lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong - bass Stephan Reed - saxophone Eric Vismantes - trumpet Andrew Gonzales - drums
(1994) Buy This! Aaron Barrett - lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong - bass Adam Polakoff - saxophone Dan Regan - trombone Tavis Werts - trumpet Andrew Gonzales - drums
Everything Sucks Aaron Barrett - lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong - bass Adam Polakoff - saxophone Dan Regan - trombone Robert Quimby - trombone Tavis Werts- trumpet Andrew Gonzales - drums
(1995& ndash;1998) Turn the Radio Off Keep Your Receipt Why Do They Rock So Hard? Aaron Barrett - lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong - bass Dan Regan - trombone Grant Barry - trombone Tavis Werts- trumpet Scott Klopfenstein - trumpet, keyboards, backing vocals Andrew Gonzales - drums
(1998& ndash;1999) live shows only Aaron Barrett - lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong - bass Dan Regan - trombone Tavis Werts- trumpet Scott Klopfenstein - trumpet, keyboards, backing vocals Andrew Gonzales - drums
(1999& ndash;2001) Cheer Up! Aaron Barrett - lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong - bass Dan Regan - trombone Tavis Werts- trumpet Scott Klopfenstein - trumpet, keyboards, backing vocals Carlos de la Garza - drums
Live at the House of Blues Aaron Barrett - lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong - bass Dan Regan - trombone Scott Klopfenstein - trumpet, keyboards, backing vocals Tyler Jones - trumpet Carlos de la Garza - drums
(2003& ndash;2004) live shows only Aaron Barrett - lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong - bass Dan Regan - trombone Scott Klopfenstein - trumpet, keyboards, backing vocals Tyler Jones - trumpet Justin Ferreira - drums
(2004& ndash;2005) '' We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy Aaron Barrett - lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong - bass Dan Regan - trombone Scott Klopfenstein - trumpet, keyboards, backing vocals John Christianson (musician)\|John Christianson - trumpet Justin Ferreira - drums
(2005& ndash;2007) Duet All Night Long Our Live Album is Better Than Your Live Album '' Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free Aaron Barrett - lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong - bass Dan Regan - trombone Scott Klopfenstein - trumpet, keyboards, backing vocals John Christianson - trumpet Ryland Steen - drums
(2007& ndash;2011) Fame, Fortune and Fornication A Best of Us for the Rest of Us " Aaron Barrett - lead vocals, guitar Scott Klopfenstein - trumpet, keyboards, backing vocals Derek Gibbs - bass Dan Regan - trombone John Christianson - trumpet Ryland Steen - drums
(2011& ndash;present) Aaron Barrett - lead vocals, guitar Derek Gibbs - bass Dan Regan - trombone John Christianson - trumpet Matt Appleton - saxophone, backing vocals Ryland Steen - drums

Current members

Aaron Barrett – guitar , lead vocals (1992–present)

Dan Regan – trombone , backing vocals (1994–present)

John Christianson (musician)|John Christianson - trumpet, backing vocals (2004–present)

Ryland Steen – drum kit|drums (2005–present)

Derek Gibbs – bass guitar , backing vocals (2007–present)

Matt Appleton – saxophone , backing vocals (2011–present)

Former members

Ben Guzman – vocals (1992–1994)

Zach Gilltrap – electronic keyboard|keyboards / synthesizer s (1992–1994)

Lisa Smith – guitar (1992–1994)

Eric Vismantes – trumpet (1994)

Stephan Reed – saxophone (1994)

Robert Quimby – trombone (1994–1995)

Adam Polakoff – saxophone (1994–1995)

Grant Barry – trombone (1995–1998)

Andrew Gonzales (drummer)|Andrew Gonzales – drums (1992–1998)

Tavis Werts – trumpet (1994–2001)

Carlos de la Garza – drums (1999–2003)

Tyler Jones – trumpet (2001–2004)

Justin Ferreira – drums (2003–2005)

Matt Wong – bass, backing vocals (1992–2007)

Scott Klopfenstein – trumpet, guitar, keyboards, lead backing vocals (1995–2011)

Discography

;Studio albums

Everything Sucks (Reel Big Fish album)|Everything Sucks (1995)

Turn the Radio Off (1996)

Why Do They Rock So Hard? (1998)

Cheer Up! (2002)

'' We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy (2005)

'' Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free (2007)

Fame, Fortune and Fornication (2009)

Band members' other projects

Scott Klopfenstein and Dan Regan were also members of The Littlest Man Band .

Aaron Barrett , Derek Gibbs and John Christianson were also members of The Forces of Evil , along with former members of Jeffries Fan Club and other Orange County, California|Orange County ska musicians. This band broke up in early 2005.

Before they were members of Reel Big Fish, Aaron Barrett , Scott Klopfenstein , and Grant Barry were members of a band called The Scholars (band)|The Scholars .

Scott Klopfenstein was also a member of a ska band called the Nuckle Brothers and another band called 'Pal'

Dan Regan has a techno project called Black Casper . Notably, he remixed Reel Big Fish's cover of "Talkin' Bout A Revolution", incorporating different sound bites, including Ali Tabatabaee from Reel Big Fish's live DVD, ''You're All In This Together .

Copyright Citations

This article is licensed under the GNU License
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Reel Big Fish Photo by: www.popmatters.com


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