Reel Big Fish has reeled me in
This is the friendliest, coolest, most fun, most stupendous ska band you could ever hear!
“Reel Big Fish! The name says it all! Okay, maybe not. Let me explain the greatness that is Reel Big Fish. They are a stupendous seven-piece ska band from right here in So Cal that’s been around for about nine years, although the current line up has been together for five. I got to see the band perform February 1 at the Ventura Theater in Ventura. Not only that, but I got to hang out with them that very same day.
A major part of what makes them a great band is that they put out a lot of quirky, danceable music. In the last three years they’ve had two full studio albums, two vinyls, an EP, contributed to countless compilations and lots of great covers. Some of my favorites are the kick-a– covers of ’80’s classics “Take on Me” by A-Ha—it sounds so cool with the horns—and “Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran. Their major label debut album Turn the Radio Off came out in 1996 and went gold (selling over 500,000 albums) and producing some of the tunes we have all grown to love like “Sell Out” and “Trendy” (which the 1997 World Champion Florida Marlins made their theme song!).
Their latest album is truly great
The most recent album Why Do They Rock so Hard? contains choice songs like “The Set Up” and one of my personal favorites, “The Secret Track.” This record is different from the previous ones because it has a bit more of a funk/reggae feel to it. By doing this, they are expanding their “ska horizons” and making it a really great album. Even with all this madness, they make more time for their fans (always with a smile!) and most important—TOURING!
The day started out with my friend and partner in crime, Yennie, picking me up. We got to Ventura. about two hours before the interview, so we went to get some lunch. During lunch, I was dying! You see, this was my first official interview. I was really excited, but nervous as hell. I could hardly breathe, I couldn’t stop my leg from shaking and I was chewing on my straw (I NEVER do these things!).
After lunch we still had a half-hour left to kill. We’re coming out of this crazy little pop culture record store, and who do we see coming our way? None other than Tavis Werts, the band’s trumpet player! I was in shock! We said hi and talked for a bit, but then he had to go because he was going out to get some food. Now, I know this is going to sound incredibly stupid, but after that encounter I wasn’t nervous anymore.
We moved on to the concert venue where we had the chance to interview Aaron Barrett, the guitarist and lead singer. The band’s manager, Vince, was there too.
Me: If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?
Aaron: What kind of superhero? Uh, I’d be Plasticman. No, I wouldn’t be Plasticman.
Yennie: Would you be my superhero?
(Vince laughs, Aaron has a silly grin on his face.)
Vince: How about Wonder Woman? Or Hong Kong Phooey?
Aaron: Nah, I’d be Plasticman . . .
Me: Don’t take this the wrong way, but a lot of your songs on this album [Why Do They Rock So Hard?] sound really angry.
Aaron: Angry? That’s good.
This was a major sign that I was going to be dealing with some off-the-wall guys. Yennie and I both love classic cars, so Vince told us to go talk to Tavis about them because he would really enjoy it. We ran downstairs to the bus. Tavis looked at me and said with a smile, “You like cars?” And it just went off from there! He and I started going back and forth, “You like that car!” “Yeah, yeah! I know what you’re talking about!” I must say the boy has got great taste in cars. He even told me about his ’64 Falcon! (SWEET!)
Their show will get you singing
Then came the moment I had been waiting for all day: the show! You see, what makes or breaks a great band is the live performance. And take it from me, this band definitely has what it takes to make it. I love Reel Big Fish because every show gets me moving and singing along to every single song. Their concerts are always filled with lots of colorful lights, not to mention they all have some pretty cool dance moves of their own. Now, don’t think just because they’re ska now means that they started out that way. Reel Big Fish actually started out playing classic metal covers. Looking at them now, it’s hard to picture them busting out with a riff of “Hot For Teacher.” But that’s all good and changed now. The ska scene sucked them in and has kept them there ever since.
Another great thing about their shows is that even though there is some pushing and shoving, there’s hardly any moshing or crowd surfing. It’s like Aaron once said, “We’re about dancing and having fun.” Plus, if anyone does something stupid like that, the band will stop playing just to yell at you. See, so it’s all about letting go and having a good time! And oh man did I have a great time!
But, of course every up has its down. You see this performance was very special because (sniff), it was Andrew Gonzales’ (the drummer) last show! He is now being replaced by Carlos De La Garza, the former drummer for such bands as Suburban Rhythm and Action League. He was also hand picked by Andrew to replace him, so he must be a great drummer.
My day with the Fishes did not end there. Before the show started, Dan promised he would invite us backstage. I thought he would flake on us and be like “what girls?” but he showed up at the door and waved us over. Yennie and I showered him with thank yous, and I gave him a huge hug. “No, problem,” he said with a smile.
Once backstage, I got to meet Scott Klopfenstein, trumpet player. I just went up to him and said “Hey Scott! How’s it goin’?” He offered us all a multi-grain wheat thin, but we declined. Then he mentioned that if anyone liked Cheez-it type crackers, we should try the new ‘Hot & Spicy’ kind. We all went “ooh,” at the thought. “Yeah,” he stated in agreement, ” it says ‘made with’ and then it’s got a picture of a bottle of green tabasco sauce.” “Green tabasco sauce?” I said making a face. “What’s wrong with the green kind?!” he said as if I had committed some type of sin. “No, no! Don’t get me wrong!” I replied, “There’s nothing wrong with the green kind! I just like the red kind better. It’s more traditional.” Then we had a whole conversation on tabasco sauce. It was one of the funniest, strangest conversations I have ever had. It was too cool!
My day with Reel Big Fish is one that I will not soon forget. And if you don’t believe that this is one of the coolest bands you will ever see or meet, then go to one of their shows! Go, wave one of them down and I guarantee you will have a great time and that they will be as cool to you as they were to me.”