Reel Big Fish

Reel Big Fish is an American ska punk band from Orange County, California. The band gained mainstream recognition in the mid-to-late 1990s, during the 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 cult following. As of 2006, the band was no longer signed to a major record label and has since been independent. After many line-up changes throughout the years, front man Aaron Barrett is the only remaining founding member in the band.

Reel Big Fish
Reel Big Fish performing at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz, California on March 27, 2008
Background information
OriginLos Alamitos, California, U.S.
GenresSka punk[1]
Years active1991–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websitereel-big-fish.com
MembersAaron Barrett
Matt Appleton
Derek Gibbs
John Christianson
Edward Larsen
Past membersMatt Wong
Andrew Gonzales
Zach Gilltrap
Ben Guzman
Lisa Smith
Dan Regan
Tavis Werts
Adam Polakoff
Robert Quimby
Stephan Reed
Eric Vismantas
Scott Klopfenstein
Grant Barry
Carlos de la Garza
Tyler Jones
Justin Ferreira
Ryland Steen
Billy Kottage

History

1991–2001: Early success

The band formed in 1991 while the members were in high school. The group started as a cover band until they released a demo in 1992, titled In The Good Old Days. With the departure of Ben Guzman soon after, then backup vocalist Aaron Barrett took his place as lead singer. The band then changed its genre to ska.

Reel Big Fish's self-released debut 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.[1] 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" became well known in mainstream venues, including MTV, the album peaked at number 57 on the Billboard charts, staying on the charts for 32 weeks.[2] However, the ska revival was short-lived, and the group's 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 appeared on the film's soundtrack with a cover of a-ha's "Take On Me". Why Do They Rock So Hard? was the last album for two members of the band. Trombonist Grant Barry was fired for his conduct, culminating with him committing battery on a security guard at Mississippi Nights during a concert in St. Louis and drummer Andrew Gonzales left the band to spend more time with his family.

2001–2006: Major label years

Trumpet player Tavis Werts left the band in 2001.[3] The band fared much better on the rock charts in 2002 with the album, Cheer Up!, particularly because of the single "Where Have You Been?" which did not include the horn section. Former Suburban Rhythm drummer Carlos de la Garza and former Spring Heeled Jack trumpeter Tyler Jones, who tracked for two songs on Cheer Up! (because Werts had already recorded the majority of his trumpet parts 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 Show Must Go Off! series. Jones appeared in the music videos for "Where Have You Been?" and "Monkey Man" (although neither featured any trumpet-playing), and continued to play live with the band until early 2005. Jones was replaced by trumpeter John Christianson (nicknamed Johnny Christmas), who had previously played with Barrett in the band, The Forces of Evil.

On April 5, 2005, the band released its 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 Stee.

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 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."[4]

2006–present: Independent work

While on tour in early 2006, Reel Big Fish were dropped from the Jive Records label.[5] The band formed its 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.

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".)

The band released its 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 it would play the entire Warped Tour 2008.[6]

Reel Big Fish released a new studio album on January 20, 2009.[7] The name of the album is Fame, Fortune and Fornication, and it consists of 10 cover songs.[8] 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.[9] 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. The group also intended to work on a new album, recording new songs in the fall of 2010.[10] The band has also recorded a live DVD at The Grove in Anaheim, California, on January 4, 2009; which was released on July 21, 2009 with the title Reel Big Fish Live! In Concert![11] In an interview with 'The Examiner', Aaron Barrett stated that he planned on releasing a new album, with all new material, in late 2011.

On January 11, 2011, the band announced that longtime member Scott Klopfenstein would be leaving the band to focus on raising a family.[12] Matt Appleton of 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.[13]

In March 2012, Reel Big Fish announced via Facebook that the group had begun recording a new album of new, original songs. The album is titled Candy Coated Fury, though the band also considered Honk If You're Horny as a title.[14][15] The album was released on July 31, 2012.[16]

On October 21, 2013 the band announced via its website that long-time trombonist Dan Regan, who has played with Reel Big Fish since 1994, will depart from the band to spend more time with his family and follow his dream of starting a brewery.[17]

Reel Big Fish announced a co-headline UK and Ireland tour with Less than Jake with support from Zebrahead in early 2014.[18]

In November 2014, Reel Big Fish announced on Facebook that the group would release an EP titled Happy Skalidays scheduling release in December 15, 2014.

In February 2015, the band announced through its website that drummer Ryland Steen had gone on hiatus from the band in order to play drums in America. Since the summer of 2014, Edward Larsen of Suburban Legends has been filling in.

On October 9, 2018, through their Instagram page, the band announced a new single called "You Can't Have All of Me", released on October 12. They also confirmed the title for the new album to be Life Sucks...Let's Dance! and a December release.[19]

On April 11, 2019, Billy Kottage announced that he had quit the band via his Instagram page.[20] Kottage has since toured as a featured musician with The Interrupters. Brian Robertson of Suburban Legends has been playing with the band as of June 2019.

On March 22, 2020, former trumpet player Tyler Jones died. The cause was not made public.

Band members

Current members

  • Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, synthesizers (1994–present), lead guitar (1992–present), backing vocals (1992–1994)
  • John Christianson (a.k.a. Johnny Christmas) – trumpet, backing vocals (2004–present)
  • Derek Gibbs – bass, backing vocals (2007–present)
  • Matt Appleton (a.k.a. Saxl Rose) – saxophone, backing vocals (2011–present)
  • Edward Larsen - drums (2014–present)
  • Brian Robertson - trombone (2019-present)

Former members

Timeline

Discography
Main article: Reel Big Fish discography

Studio albums

  • Scott Klopfenstein and Dan Regan were also members of The Littlest Man Band.[21]
  • 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 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.
  • 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.
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References
  1. "Reel Big Fish". AllMusic. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  2. "Reel Big Fish Music News & Info | Billboard.com". M.billboard.com. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  3. "Reel Big Fish - 10.18.06 - Interview". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  4. "INTERVIEW: Reel Big Fish: Aaron Barrett discusses 15 minutes of fame, new record, and SKA's next generation". In Music We Trust. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  5. Shuster, Fred (January 12, 2007). "Music Writer". www.thefreelibrary.com. Daily News (Los Angeles, CA). Retrieved February 20, 2015. When word came in via phone from band management during a 2006 tour stop in Salt Lake City, happiness was instantly in the air.
  6. "Warped Tour 2007". Warpedtour.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2007. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  7. "Reel Big Release Date." Absolutepunk.net. October 16, 2008.
  8. "Reel Big Fish maps real big tour". Livedaily.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2009. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  9. "New Album". Readjunk.com. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  10. "Another Album". Absolutepunk.net. June 23, 2010. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  11. "Myspace". Blogs.myspace.com. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  12. "Scott Klopfenstein leaves Reel Big Fish". Punknews.org. January 11, 2011.
  13. "ForgeTV Music Spotlight: Reel Big Fish Interview". Youtube.com. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  14. "Reel Big Fish (official) on Facebook". Facebook.com. October 25, 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  15. "Aaron Barrett Stickam Interview". Stickam.com. April 26, 2012. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  16. "Candy Coated Fury: Reel Big Fish: Music". Amazon.com. September 9, 2009. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
  17. "Beloved Longtime Trombone Player Dan Regan Announces Retirement from RBF - Reel Big Fish". Reel-big-fish.com.
  18. "LIVE: Less than Jake, Reel Big Fish, Zebrahead – Gigging NI". Giggingni.com.
  19. "ᖇEEᒪ ᗷIG ᖴIᔕᕼ on Instagram: "#Repost @lifeofthepartysd with @get_repost ・・・ One of the many highlights from @hightidebeachparty was chatting it up with @reelbigfish and…"". Instagram.com. October 7, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  20. "Billy Kottage on Instagram: "I quit Reel Big Fish a few days ago. I am forever grateful for my experiences with them and was some of the most fun I've ever had."". Instagram.com. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  21. "The Littlest Man Band official site". Thelittlestmanband.com. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
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