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biography
Reel Big Fish was one of the legions of Southern California ska-punk bands to edge into the mainstream following the mid-'90s success of No Doubt and Sublime. Like most of their peers, the band was distinguished by their hyperkinetic stage shows, juvenile humor, ironic covers of new wave pop songs, and metallic shards of ska. The group cultivated an underground following that broke into the mainstream in summer 1997, when their single "Sell Out" became a modern rock radio and MTV favorite. Reel Big Fish's popularity gradually waned in the subsequent years, following the decline of ska-punk as a marketable genre. Nevertheless, the band restructured its lineup and continued issuing new material to a smaller (yet considerably rabid) fanbase.
Based in Huntington Beach, CA, Reel Big Fish was originally a trio comprised of vocalist/guitarist Aaron Barrett, bassist Matt Wong, and drummer Andrew Gonzales. At that stage, the group was a conventional rock band with pop-metal leanings that covered both classic rock and Top 40 songs -- essentially, it was music designed for frat parties. After several months, the band discovered ska and decided to bolster its lineup with the addition of horn players. Reel Big Fish had a difficult time maintaining a stable horn section, and it took several years before their final lineup -- featuring Tavis Werts (trumpet), Scott Klopfenstein (trumpet, vocals), Grant Barry (trombone), and Dan Regan (trombone) -- fell into place.
This definitive incarnation of Reel Big Fish recorded its self-released debut album, Everything Sucks, in 1995. Everything Sucks became a word-of-mouth underground hit in ska-punk and college circles, which gave the band enough leverage to sign with the indie label Mojo Records. The label's president, Jay Rifkin, and former Oingo Boingo bassist John Avila co-produced Turn the Radio Off, which marked Reel Big Fish's first album for Mojo. Turn the Radio Off was unleashed in August 1996, and over the next year, the group continually toured in support of the album's release, expanding their fan base all the while. In spring 1997, the single "Sell Out" began receiving heavy airplay from several influential modern rock stations in the U.S., which soon translated into MTV support for the song's quirky video. By summer, the song had become a moderate modern rock hit, and the album had charted in the Top 100. In July 1997, Reel Big Fish released the Keep Your Receipt EP, which contained "Sell Out" and several outtakes, new songs, and live cuts. Why Do They Rock So Hard followed a year later, and in early 2000 the band returned with a reissued version of Everything Sucks.
The guys wound up on Jive Records in fall 2001 when their current label, Mojo, was bought by Jive's parent label, Zomba. Reel Big Fish's first release for Jive, a rock-oriented record entitled Cheer Up!, appeared in mid-2002. Years of touring followed, during which the band shared stages with the likes of Sum 41, Catch 22, Lucky Boys Confusion, the Matches, and Zebrahead. Replacement drummer Carlos de la Garza (formerly of Suburban Rhythm) eventually decided to leave the lineup, and his last show with the group was recorded live at Anaheim's House of Blues in June 2003. A DVD of that performance, The Show Must Go Off, was released by the end of the year, and the band's next album, the cynical yet catchy We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy, was issued in April 2005. By this time, the group's lineup had shifted to include Barrett, Regan, Klopfenstein, Wong, new trumpeter John Christianson, and drummer Justin Ferreira (who was later replaced by Ryland Steen).
Touring continued for the rest of the year, and Reel Big Fish happily parted ways with Jive in January 2006, having wished to be dropped from the label since Cheer Up!'s release. A co-headlining tour with MxPx followed that summer, allowing Reel Big Fish the chance to gain their footing as an independent band. In August, the group self-released a double-disc live CD (along with an accompanying DVD) titled Our Live Album Is Better Than Your Live Album. A few months later -- and much to the annoyance of the band -- Jive issued its own Reel Big Fish album, a best-of compilation entitled Greatest Hit...and More. Reel Big Fish received no money from the album's sales, as Jive Records now owned the rights to the bulk of their songs. Nevertheless, the band returned with some new material in February 2007, splitting an EP (Duet All Night Long) with their friends in Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer. Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free followed several months later, marking Reel Big Fish's first full-length studio release since leaving Jive's roster, and 2009's Fame, Fortune and Fornication found the band covering songs by the likes of Poison, Slade, and Tom Petty. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Based in Huntington Beach, CA, Reel Big Fish was originally a trio comprised of vocalist/guitarist Aaron Barrett, bassist Matt Wong, and drummer Andrew Gonzales. At that stage, the group was a conventional rock band with pop-metal leanings that covered both classic rock and Top 40 songs -- essentially, it was music designed for frat parties. After several months, the band discovered ska and decided to bolster its lineup with the addition of horn players. Reel Big Fish had a difficult time maintaining a stable horn section, and it took several years before their final lineup -- featuring Tavis Werts (trumpet), Scott Klopfenstein (trumpet, vocals), Grant Barry (trombone), and Dan Regan (trombone) -- fell into place.
This definitive incarnation of Reel Big Fish recorded its self-released debut album, Everything Sucks, in 1995. Everything Sucks became a word-of-mouth underground hit in ska-punk and college circles, which gave the band enough leverage to sign with the indie label Mojo Records. The label's president, Jay Rifkin, and former Oingo Boingo bassist John Avila co-produced Turn the Radio Off, which marked Reel Big Fish's first album for Mojo. Turn the Radio Off was unleashed in August 1996, and over the next year, the group continually toured in support of the album's release, expanding their fan base all the while. In spring 1997, the single "Sell Out" began receiving heavy airplay from several influential modern rock stations in the U.S., which soon translated into MTV support for the song's quirky video. By summer, the song had become a moderate modern rock hit, and the album had charted in the Top 100. In July 1997, Reel Big Fish released the Keep Your Receipt EP, which contained "Sell Out" and several outtakes, new songs, and live cuts. Why Do They Rock So Hard followed a year later, and in early 2000 the band returned with a reissued version of Everything Sucks.
The guys wound up on Jive Records in fall 2001 when their current label, Mojo, was bought by Jive's parent label, Zomba. Reel Big Fish's first release for Jive, a rock-oriented record entitled Cheer Up!, appeared in mid-2002. Years of touring followed, during which the band shared stages with the likes of Sum 41, Catch 22, Lucky Boys Confusion, the Matches, and Zebrahead. Replacement drummer Carlos de la Garza (formerly of Suburban Rhythm) eventually decided to leave the lineup, and his last show with the group was recorded live at Anaheim's House of Blues in June 2003. A DVD of that performance, The Show Must Go Off, was released by the end of the year, and the band's next album, the cynical yet catchy We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy, was issued in April 2005. By this time, the group's lineup had shifted to include Barrett, Regan, Klopfenstein, Wong, new trumpeter John Christianson, and drummer Justin Ferreira (who was later replaced by Ryland Steen).
Touring continued for the rest of the year, and Reel Big Fish happily parted ways with Jive in January 2006, having wished to be dropped from the label since Cheer Up!'s release. A co-headlining tour with MxPx followed that summer, allowing Reel Big Fish the chance to gain their footing as an independent band. In August, the group self-released a double-disc live CD (along with an accompanying DVD) titled Our Live Album Is Better Than Your Live Album. A few months later -- and much to the annoyance of the band -- Jive issued its own Reel Big Fish album, a best-of compilation entitled Greatest Hit...and More. Reel Big Fish received no money from the album's sales, as Jive Records now owned the rights to the bulk of their songs. Nevertheless, the band returned with some new material in February 2007, splitting an EP (Duet All Night Long) with their friends in Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer. Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free followed several months later, marking Reel Big Fish's first full-length studio release since leaving Jive's roster, and 2009's Fame, Fortune and Fornication found the band covering songs by the likes of Poison, Slade, and Tom Petty. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
news
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New upcoming Southern CA and Hawaii dates just confirmed!
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- 10/22/2009
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- 5:53 PM
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- Reel Big Fish's MySpace Blog
- New upcoming Southern CA and Hawaii dates just confirmed! 12/27: West Hollywood, CA – House of Blues Presale 10/29 Onsale 11/7 12/28: Anaheim, CA …
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New Live Concert DVD Out NOW!! World wide!
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- 10/16/2009
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- 4:56 PM
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- Reel Big Fish's MySpace Blog
- Hey everybody around the world who couldn't find our new DVD "Live! In Concert!" In stores, it has now been released worldwide! No regional coding! G…
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More Europe Dates!!!
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- 10/5/2009
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- 11:22 PM
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- Reel Big Fish's MySpace Blog
- More Europe Dates up Now!! Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland! check out our tour dates!!
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2010 UK Tour Dates Up Now!!!!
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- 10/4/2009
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- 6:42 PM
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- Reel Big Fish's MySpace Blog
- check them out!!!!
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RBF Small Town Tour??
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- 10/2/2009
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- 4:42 PM
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- Reel Big Fish's MySpace Blog
- We were just thinkin' about how we ALWAYS play in the same big major cities every year and skip a lot of the fun small towns that need ska too!! Whe…
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comments
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Best Band Ever
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- By The Darky
- 3/25/2009 09:35:58
- I've been a die hard fan since 1995 and have yet to grow tired of RBF. I look forward to a new album just as much now as I ever have.
- 3 out of 3 people
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Amazing live
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- By d Adams1014
- 2/15/2009 20:47:56
- they have to not only be the best ska band ever but the best live band ever maybe next to pearl jam. im telling u there live album is awesome u cant even tell theyre live
- 2 out of 4 people
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amazing live
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- By b0b0vetri
- 1/21/2009 19:25:36
- i saw them 1/20/09 at the roosland ballroom. amazing show
- 3 out of 4 people
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Skankin Good Time
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- By LostinPie
- 11/5/2008 16:56:20
- RBF! These guys totally kill. Good combination of brass and guitar. They got a good thing goin and I garuntee they would sell out if they came back to Utah! You guys are awesome!
- 1 out of 2 people
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DavidTheRussain
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- By DavidTheRussian
- 11/4/2008 17:32:27
- these guys can kill...........they just kill any other band like them........very unique sound and not to many ppl can pull it off..........alright its time i have myself a beer......peace......
8.25 outa 10 - 1 out of 2 people
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tour dates
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14
- Nov
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- Henderson, Nevada, US
- November 14, 2009
- Henderson Events Plaza
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27
- Dec
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- West Hollywood, California, US
- December 27, 2009
- House Of Blues - Sunset Strip
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28
- Dec
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- Anaheim, California, US
- December 28, 2009
- House of Blues - Anaheim
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29
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- San Diego, California, US
- December 29, 2009
- House of Blues - San Diego
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14
- Jan
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- Saint Petersburg
- January 14, 2010
- Glav Club
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