From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Reel Big Fish
Reel Big Fish
Reel Big Fish Reel Big Fish is an American ska punk band from Hunt-
ington Beach, California, best known for the 1997 hit "Sell
Out". 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 following. The band was no longer
signed to a major record label in 2006 and is currently in-
dependent. After many line-up changes throughout the
years, front man Aaron Barrett remains the only found-
ing member in the band.
Reel Big Fish performing at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz, History
California on March 27, 2008.
Background information
Early success (1992-1999)
Reel Big Fish released a demo in 1992 which is now called
Origin Huntington Beach, California, United States
"In The Good Old Days". With the departure of Ben Guz-
Genres Ska punk, alternative rock, third wave ska man, then backup vocalist Aaron Barrett took his place as
lead singer. The band then changed their genre to ska.
Years 1992–present
active Reel Big Fish’s self-released debut album, Everything
Sucks, was successful and became an underground hit
Labels Mojo, Jive, Rock Ridge Music spread by word-of-mouth, which led to the band signing
Associated The Littlest Man Band, The Forces of Evil, The a deal with Mojo Records.[1] In August 1996, the band
acts Scholars, Jeffries Fan Club, Spring Heeled Jack released the album Turn the Radio Off on the new label,
USA, Suburban Rhythm, Nuckle Brothers, which appealed to fans of ska punk style, and the band
Zebrahead
began touring throughout the United States. After the
Website reel-big-fish.com single "Sell Out" became well-known in mainstream
venues, including MTV, the album peaked at number 57
Members
on the Billboard charts, staying on the charts for 32
Aaron Barrett weeks.[2] However, the ska revival was short-lived, and
Matt Appleton their 1998 album Why Do They Rock So Hard? failed to
Derek Gibbs
match the sales of the band’s previous record. In 1998,
Dan Regan
Ryland Steen the band appeared in the movie BASEketball, performing
John Christianson in the stands to rouse the crowd. The band also collabo-
rated on the soundtrack with a cover of a-ha’s "Take on
Past members
Me". Why Do They Rock So Hard? was the last album for
Ben Guzman three members of the band. Trombonist Grant Barry took
Zach Gilltrap leave and trumpet player Tavis Werts was fired.[3] Drum-
Lisa Smith mer Andrew Gonzales left the team to spend more time
Robert Quimby
Adam Polakoff with his family. Reel Big Fish then had a changing cast of
Andrew Gonzales drummers and trumpeters over the next six years.
Grant Barry
Tavis Werts Major label years (2000-2005)
Carlos de la Garza
Tyler Jones In 2002 the band fared much better on the rock charts,
Justin Ferreira particularly because of the single "Where Have You
Matt Wong Been?", which did not prominently feature the horn sec-
Scott Klopfenstein tion. Former Suburban Rhythm drummer Carlos de la
Garza and ex-Spring Heeled Jack U.S.A. trumpeter Tyler
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Reel Big Fish
Jones, who tracked for two songs on Cheer Up! (because the band announced in a Myspace blog that Matt Wong
Werts had already done the majority of recording before was leaving the band to spend more time with his wife
his departure), were brought in. De la Garza’s last concert and newborn child. He was replaced by Derek Gibbs who
with Reel Big Fish was on June 20, 2003 at the House of played bass in Jeffries Fan Club and Aaron Barrett’s now
Blues in Anaheim, California. That concert was later re- defunct side project, The Forces Of Evil. Since Matt Wong
leased as a DVD in the The Show Must Go Off! series. Jones was very popular with fans, some were skeptical of the
appeared in the Music Videos for Where Have You Been? new bassist’s ability, but the band has stated that Derek is
and Monkey Man, and continued to play live in Reel Big "Matt Wong Approved" and fans have nothing to worry
Fish until early 2005. He was replaced by trumpeter John about. Gibbs had been filling in for Wong on various tours
Christianson, who had played with Barrett in The Forces since early 2002.
of Evil. On December 19, 2007, the band announced that they
On April 5, 2005, Reel Big Fish released their fourth al- would play the entire Warped Tour 2008.[5]
bum on Mojo; We’re Not Happy ’Til You’re Not Happy. Justin Reel Big Fish released a new studio album on January
Ferreira (who replaced De La Garza) was on drums for the 20, 2009.[6] The name of the album is Fame, Fortune and
recording, but left before the album’s release to join the Fornication, and it consists of 10 cover songs.[7] Another
Orange County band Takota and subsequently is listed as album, A Best of Us for the Rest of Us, featuring a 22-track
an additional musician on the CD. He was replaced by Ry- disc of re-recorded songs and a 14-track disc of "Ska-
land Steen. coustic" versions produced by lead singer Aaron Barrett,
Compared to the previous album (Cheer Up!), which was released on July 20, 2010.[8] An extended version of
was more lighthearted and cheerful, Allmusic describes the album, A Best of Us for the Rest of Us (Bigger Better
the songs in We’re Not Happy ’Til You’re Not Happy as "an- Bonus Deluxe Version), was released on June 21, 2011.
gry" and "embittered", but also deemed the album as "su- They also intend to work on a new album, recording new
per catchy". Common themes expressed throughout the songs in the fall of 2010.[9] The band has also recorded a
songs include jealousy, regret, short-lasting fame, and live DVD at The Grove in Anaheim, California, on January
disappointment toward mainstream record companies. 4, 2009; which was released on July 21, 2009 with the title
Aaron Barrett has stated that We’re Not Happy ’Til Reel Big Fish Live! In Concert![10] In an interview with ’The
You’re Not Happy was "the third record in a trilogy" that Examiner’, Aaron Barrett stated that he planned on re-
began with Turn the Radio Off. "The first one was about be- leasing a new album, with all new material, in late 2011.
ing in a band and trying to make it. Then Why Do They Also in an interview with ’Rewritethescene.com’, Aaron
Rock So Hard? was like, ’we’ve made it, we’re rock stars’. has stated interest in a Holiday album.[11]
Cheer Up we made because we had to make it. But We’re On January 11, 2011, the band announced that long-
Not Happy ’Til You’re Not Happy is about us being old and time member Scott Klopfenstein would be leaving the
jaded now."[4] band to focus on raising a family.[12] Matt Appleton of
Goldfinger began filling in for Scott on the band’s 20th
Independent work (2006-present) Anniversary Tour, and he has since been announced as a
While on tour in early 2006, Reel Big Fish were dropped permanent replacement. This marks the first time since
from the Jive Records label.[citation needed] The band 1995 that the band has had a saxophone player.[13]
formed their own label and released a 3-disc live perfor-
mance CD/DVD set, Our Live Album Is Better Than Your Live Band members
Album. This package became available on July 18, 2006 on
the Internet and in retail stores on August 22. Jive lat- Reel Big Fish lineups
er released a Reel Big Fish greatest hits album, Greatest (1992–1994) • Ben Guzman - lead vocals
Hit...And More, because they owned the rights to all pre- In the Good Old Days • Aaron Barrett - guitar,
vious songs. The band did not approve of, or make any backing vocals
money from the album, and have spoken out against it. • Lisa Smith - guitar
On February 20, 2007, the band released Duet All Night • Matt Wong - bass
Long, which is a split EP with Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer. • Zach Gilltrap -
It features six cover songs (three from each band), with keyboards/synthesizers
the vocalist of each band performing in the other band’s • Andrew Gonzales - drums
songs (except in the case of Scott Klopfenstein singing in (1994) • Aaron Barrett - lead
the song, "Say Say Say".) Return of the Mullet vocals, guitar
Reel Big Fish released their first studio album since • Matt Wong - bass
leaving Jive Records; Monkeys for Nothin’ and the Chimps For • Stephan Reed - saxophone
Free worldwide on July 10, 2007, on the Rock Ridge Music • Eric Vismantes - trumpet
record label. On June 26, 2007, shortly before its release, • Andrew Gonzales - drums
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Reel Big Fish
(1994) • Aaron Barrett - lead (2003–2004) • Aaron Barrett - lead
Buy This! vocals, guitar live shows only vocals, guitar
• Matt Wong - bass • Matt Wong - bass
• Adam Polakoff - • Dan Regan - trombone
saxophone • Scott Klopfenstein -
• Dan Regan - trombone trumpet, keyboards,
• Tavis Werts - trumpet backing vocals
• Andrew Gonzales - drums • Tyler Jones - trumpet
(1994–1995) • Aaron Barrett - lead • Justin Ferreira - drums
Everything Sucks vocals, guitar (2004–2005) • Aaron Barrett - lead
• Matt Wong - bass We’re Not Happy ’Til vocals, guitar
• Adam Polakoff - You’re Not Happy • Matt Wong - bass
saxophone • Dan Regan - trombone
• Dan Regan - trombone • Scott Klopfenstein -
• Robert Quimby - trombone trumpet, keyboards,
• Tavis Werts- trumpet backing vocals
• Andrew Gonzales - drums • John Christianson -
(1995–1998) • Aaron Barrett - lead trumpet
Turn the Radio Off vocals, guitar • Justin Ferreira - drums
Keep Your Receipt • Matt Wong - bass (2005–2007) • Aaron Barrett - lead
Why Do They Rock So • Dan Regan - trombone Duet All Night Long vocals, guitar
Hard? • Grant Barry - trombone Our Live Album is Better • Matt Wong - bass
• Tavis Werts- trumpet Than Your Live Album • Dan Regan - trombone
• Scott Klopfenstein - Monkeys for Nothin’ • Scott Klopfenstein -
trumpet, keyboards, and the Chimps for Free trumpet, keyboards,
backing vocals backing vocals
• Andrew Gonzales - drums • John Christianson -
(1998–1999) • Aaron Barrett - lead trumpet
live shows only vocals, guitar • Ryland Steen - drums
• Matt Wong - bass (2007–2011) • Aaron Barrett - lead
• Dan Regan - trombone Fame, Fortune and For- vocals, guitar
• Tavis Werts- trumpet nication • Scott Klopfenstein -
• Scott Klopfenstein - A Best of Us for the Rest trumpet, keyboards,
trumpet, keyboards, of Us"
Us" backing vocals
backing vocals • Derek Gibbs - bass
• Andrew Gonzales - drums • Dan Regan - trombone
(1999–2001) • Aaron Barrett - lead • John Christianson -
Cheer Up! vocals, guitar trumpet
• Matt Wong - bass • Ryland Steen - drums
• Dan Regan - trombone (2011–present) • Aaron Barrett - lead
• Tavis Werts- trumpet vocals, guitar
• Scott Klopfenstein - • Derek Gibbs - bass
trumpet, keyboards, • Dan Regan - trombone
backing vocals • John Christianson -
• Carlos de la Garza - drums trumpet
(2001–2003) • Aaron Barrett - lead • Matt Appleton -
Live at the House of vocals, guitar saxophone, backing vocals
Blues • Matt Wong - bass • Ryland Steen - drums
• Dan Regan - trombone
• Scott Klopfenstein - Current members
trumpet, keyboards, • Aaron Barrett – guitar, lead vocals (1992–present)
backing vocals • Dan Regan – trombone, backing vocals
• Tyler Jones - trumpet (1994–present)
• Carlos de la Garza - drums
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Reel Big Fish
• John Christianson - trumpet, backing vocals
(2004–present)
• Ryland Steen – 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 – keyboards/synthesizers (1992–1994)
• Lisa Smith – guitar (1992–1994)
• Eric Vismantes – trumpet (1994)
• Stephan Reed – saxophone (1994)
Left to right: John Christianson, Dan Regan, and Aaron Barrett.
• Robert Quimby – trombone (1994–1995)
• Adam Polakoff – saxophone (1994–1995)
• Grant Barry – trombone (1995–1998)
• 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)
Trombone player Dan Regan.
Left to right: John Christianson, Dan Regan, Aaron Barrett, Ry-
land Steen, and Scott Klopfenstein. Derek Gibbs is not visible
behind Klopfenstein.
Reel Big Fish at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, AZ 1/5/09
Discography
• Monkeys for Nothin’ and the Chimps for Free (2007)
Main article: Reel Big Fish discography
• Fame, Fortune and Fornication (2009)
Studio albums
• Everything Sucks (1995)
• Turn the Radio Off (1996) Band members’ other projects
• Why Do They Rock So Hard? (1998)
• Scott Klopfenstein and Dan Regan were also
• Cheer Up! (2002)
members of The Littlest Man Band.[14]
• We’re Not Happy ’Til You’re Not Happy (2005)
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Reel Big Fish
• Aaron Barrett, Derek Gibbs and John Christianson [4] "INTERVIEW: Reel Big Fish: Aaron Barrett discusses
were also members of The Forces of Evil, along with 15 minutes of fame, new record, and SKA’s next
former members of Jeffries Fan Club and other generation". In Music We Trust.
Orange County ska musicians. This band broke up in http://www.inmusicwetrust.com/articles/
early 2005.[citation needed] 70h07.html. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
• Before they were members of Reel Big Fish, Aaron [5] "Warped Tour 2007". Warpedtour.com.
Barrett, Scott Klopfenstein, and Grant Barry were http://www.warpedtour.com/warpedtour/
members of a band called The Scholars.[citation needed] news.asp?id=1437446. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
• Scott Klopfenstein was also a member of a ska band [6] "Reel Big Release Date." Absolutepunk.net. October
called the Nuckle Brothers and another band called 16, 2008.
’Pal’[citation needed] [7] Reel Big Fish maps real big tour
• Dan Regan has a techno project called Black Casper. [8] New Album
Notably, he remixed Reel Big Fish’s cover of "Talkin’ [9] Another Album
Bout A Revolution", incorporating different sound [10] "Myspace". Blogs.myspace.com.
bites, including Ali Tabatabaee from Reel Big Fish’s http://blogs.myspace.com/
live DVD, You’re All In This Together.[citation needed] index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=11034452&blogID=4571
Retrieved 2011-07-09.
References [11] Nick Karp (2010-08-03). "[Interview] Reel Big Fish".
Rewritethescene.com.
[1] Thomas, Stephen. "Reel Big Fish". AllMusic. http://rewritethescene.com/interviews/reel-big-
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p182515. fish-interview/. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
Retrieved 2011-07-09. [12] "Scott Klopfenstein leaves Reel Big Fish".
[2] "Reel Big Fish Music News & Info | Billboard.com". Punknews.org. January 11, 2011.
M.billboard.com. http://m.billboard.com/artist/ [13] "ForgeTV Music Spotlight: Reel Big Fish Interview".
reel-big-fish/155181#/artist/reel-big-fish/chart- [14] The Littlest Man Band Official Site
history/155181?sort=position. Retrieved
2011-07-09.
[3] Reel Big Fish - 10.18.06 - Interview -
External links
AbsolutePunk.net • Official website
• Reel Big Fish on Myspace
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reel_Big_Fish"
Categories: American ska punk musical groups, Third-wave ska groups, Musical groups from Orange County, Califor-
nia, American ska musical groups, Musical groups established in 1992
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