Reel Big Fish

Biography

Reel Big Fish is an American ska punk band from Huntington Beach, 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×Turn the Radio Off13 August 1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Sell Out3:482Trendy2:263Join the Club3:264She Has a Girlfriend Now3:085Snoop Dog, Baby3:276Beer3:3172412:428Everything Sucks2:419S.R.1:2810Skatanic3:1811All I Want Is More3:0612Nothin’2:2313Say “Ten”2:1214I’ll Never Be…3:1715Alternative, Baby2:5816I’m Cool (acoustic)3:55. Soon after, the band lost mainstream recognition but gained an underground cult following, operating as an independent band since 2006. Frontman Aaron Barrett has been the only consistent member of the band from its founding throughout its numerous lineup changes.

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×Everything Sucks5 May 1995 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1I'm Cool1:432Join the Club3:133Call You3:074Hate You3:295I'll Never Be4:076Boyfriend3:527Fo' Head2:058Trendy3:279Skatanic3:1510Why Do All Girls Think They're Fat?2:2311Say 'Ten'2:2112I Want Your Girlfriend to Be My Girlfriend Too3:1613Jig1:3814Go Away1:1815Beer3:4316Snoop Dog, Baby3:3517S.R.1:3318Big Fuckin' Star3:1319Fuck Yourself8:40, 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×Turn the Radio Off13 August 1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Sell Out3:482Trendy2:263Join the Club3:264She Has a Girlfriend Now3:085Snoop Dog, Baby3:276Beer3:3172412:428Everything Sucks2:419S.R.1:2810Skatanic3:1811All I Want Is More3:0612Nothin’2:2313Say “Ten”2:1214I’ll Never Be…3:1715Alternative, Baby2:5816I’m Cool (acoustic)3:55 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×Sell Out1996 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Sell Out3:4922412:463Unity2:20" 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. However, the ska revival was short-lived, and the group's 1998 album Why Do They Rock So Hard?×Why Do They Rock So Hard?20 October 1998 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Somebody Hates Me3:282Brand New Song3:053She's Famous Now3:064You Don't Know3:265The Set Up (You Need This)4:226Thank You for Not Moshing2:427I'm Cool3:218I Want Your Girlfriend to Be My Girlfriend Too2:539Everything Is Cool3:0710Song #33:2911Scott's a Dork3:0412Big Star3:3513The Kids Don't Like It3:2114Down in Flames4:4915We Care3:5516Victory Over Peter Bones (The Legend of Alan Guile Versus Peter Bones)10:5117[untitled]11:26 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×Take On Me1998 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Take On Me2:502Alternative Baby3Why Do All Girls Think They’re Fat". 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. 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?×Where Have You Been?2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Where Have You Been?4:022Average Man3:383There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame4:344Where Have You Been? (video)3:49" and "Monkey Man×Monkey Man2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Monkey Man2:382Kiss Me Deadly3:443Dateless Losers3:35" (although neither featured any trumpet-playing), and continued to play live with the band until September 2004. Jones was replaced by trumpeter John Christianson, 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 Steen.
Compared to the previous album (Cheer Up!×Cheer Up!13 June 2002 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1Good Thing3:382Somebody Loved Me3:193Ban the Tube Top3:114Cheer Up2:445Where Have You Been?4:016Suckers3:577What Are Friends For3:368A Little Doubt Goes a Long Way3:209Dateless Losers3:3510Valerie3:5611Rock 'n' Roll Is Bitchin'2:5412New York, New York3:2613Sayonara Señorita4:0914Boss DJ3:0915Brand New Hero3:3916Drunk Again4:5017Kiss Me Deadly6:1218Give It to Me3:14), 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."

2006–present: Independent work

While on tour in early 2006, Reel Big Fish were dropped from the Jive Records label. 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 power pop punk band Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer. It features six cover songs (three from each band), with the two vocalists performing with both bands. The song, "Say Say Say" features Scott Klopfenstein on vocals in place of Barrett.
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 Gibbs is "Matt Wong Approved" therefore extinguishing several fans' worries. 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.
Reel Big Fish released a new studio album on January 20, 2009. The name of the album is Fame, Fortune and Fornication×Fame, Fortune and Fornication19 January 2009 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Nothing but a Good Time3:022Mama We're All Crazy Now2:183Veronica Sawyer3:264Authority Song2:575Brown Eyed Girl3:056The Long Run3:377Won't Back Down3:098Keep a Cool Head2:139Monkey Man2:3010Talk Dirty to Me3:4311Twist and Crawl2:35, 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×Skacoustic28 November 2011 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks1Sell Out3:582Take on Me3:173Beer3:464She Has a Girlfriend Now3:355Another F.U. Song1:066Your Guts (I Hate ’em)1:577Suckers3:368Where Have You Been3:589Don’t Start a Band3:2010S.R.1:40112412:4312The Kids Don’t Like It3:2713Scott’s a Dork3:0514Nothin’2:0815I’m Cool3:3216Everything Sucks3:0017You Don’t Know3:1718Imaginary Friend3:2519I’m Her Man4:0620Good Thing3:2421New Version of You3:2322One Hit Wonderful3:41" 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. The group also intended 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 in Anaheim, California, on January 4, 2009; which was released on July 21, 2009, with the title Reel Big Fish Live! 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.
On January 11, 2011, the band announced that longtime member Scott Klopfenstein would be leaving the band to focus on raising a family. 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.
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×Candy Coated Fury31 July 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Everyone Else is an Asshole4:112Punisher4:013She’s Not the End of the World3:434Don’t Let Me Down Gently2:255I Know You Too Well to Like You Anymore4:256Hiding in My Headphones4:477I Dare You to Break My Heart5:158Your Girlfriend Sucks3:309Don’t Stop Skankin’4:0010Famous Last Words3:5011Lost Cause4:2112I Love/You Suck3:1313P.S. I Hate You4:0514The Promise3:15, though the band also considered Honk If You're Horny as a title. The album was released on July 31, 2012.
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.
Reel Big Fish announced a co-headline UK and Ireland tour with Less Than Jake with support from Zebrahead in early 2014.
In November 2014, Reel Big Fish announced on Facebook that the group would release an EP titled Happy Skalidays×Happy Skalidays15 December 2014 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Skank for Christmas3:492Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer3:023Lickle Drummond Bwoy2:354Whatever U Celebrate3:175Carol of the Beers1:476Auld Lang Syne3:09 scheduling release on 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 Beach (née 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.
On April 11, 2019, Billy Kottage announced that he had quit the band via his Instagram page. Kottage has since toured as a featured musician with The Interrupters. Brian Robertson of Suburban Legends played with the band from June 2019 until their touring hiatus starting in 2020.
On March 22, 2020, former trumpet player Tyler Jones died; the band paid its respects via social media.
On October 28, 2021, former member Scott Klopfenstein reunited with Aaron Barrett to sing on a track by Lo(u)ser titled No Hope. Former drummer Ryland Steen played drums and produced, and Dan Regan also appeared in the music video alongside the others.
In July 2024, Ice Nine Kills released a cover of "Walking On Sunshine" in collaboration with Reel Big Fish, featuring Dan Regan as a credited band member for the first time since 2013.
After 6 years of inactivity, on April 24, 2026, Reel Big Fish were announced to be playing the Long Beach and Orlando dates for the Vans Warped Tour, set to take place in July and November.

Band members

Current members

Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards (1991–present)
Scott Klopfenstein – trumpet, backing vocals, lead vocals, guitar, keyboards (1995-2011; 2026–present)
Dan Regan – trombone, backing vocals (1994–2013; 2024–present)
John Christianson – trumpet, backing vocals (2004–present)
Derek Gibbs – bass, backing vocals (2007–present)
Matt Appleton – saxophone, keyboards, vocals (2011–present)
Ed "Smokey" Beach (né Larsen) – drums, percussion (2014–present)

Related 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 ska musicians.
Before they were members of Reel Big Fish, Aaron Barrett, Scott Klopfenstein, and Grant Barry were members of a band called The Scholars.
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.