Their debut album, "Everything Sucks" (1995), was an underground hit and led to a deal with Mojo Records (see also Mojo), an indie label. "Turn the Radio Off" (1996) established the band in the underground music scene, and they began touring throughout the USA. After the single "Sell Out" began breaking into the mainstream, including MTV, the album made an appearance on the charts. The ska revival was short-lived, however, and "Why Do They Rock So Hard?" (1998) did not lead the group to the mainstream.
Reel Big Fish released "Cheer Up" (2002) which began a movement into harder rock and pop sounds, with much less ska than the previous albums. The song "Where Have You Been?" was aimed at a wider audience, trying to drop the less popular ska sound, but was met with little mainstream success, despite the video. Their second most recent studio album was "We're Not Happy Until You're Not Happy" (2005).
They recently released "Our Live Album is Better Than Your Live Album" (2006) which includes 2 discs worth or their own tunes and a few covers of popular songs along with a DVD. They have worked on the soundtrack to BASEketball, which included a cover of A-Ha's Take On Me.
In 2006, they split from Jive records, who produced a "Best of" album against the will of the band, who could not prevent the release. The band has made a campaign to try and stop people buying the album.
Their 7th album "Monkeys For Nothing and the Chimps For Free" (2007) includes some songs that were previously recorded and released on other albums. It was also the first album with the band's new label, Rock Ridge Records.
In 2009, they released "Fame, Fortune, and Fornication" an album composed of covers of older songs, including "Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty, and "Nothin' But a Good Time" by Poison.
In 2012, Reel Big Fish released "Candy Coated Fury", which is their second album on Rock Ridge Records. This album was met with heavy amounts of criticism from fans and reviewers alike. PunkNews.org gave the album a 2/10.
in 2014, they released "Happy Skalidays", a holiday themed EP.
Their current release is 2018's "Life Sucks... Let's Dance!", which gained generally positive reviews from fans and critics.
Current members:
Aaron Barrett - guitar, lead vocals (1992–present)
Dan Regan - trombone, backing vocals (1994–present)
John Christianson - trumpet, backing vocals (2004–present)
Ryland Steen - drums (2005–present)
Derek Gibbs - bass guitar (2007–present)
Past 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)
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, backing vocals (1995–2011)
14 boss dj
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I would not lie to you, cause Sunday morning soon will come when
Things will be much easier to say, upon the microphone like a Boss DJ
But I'm won't walk upon the sea like it was dry land
The Boss DJ ain't nothing but a man
No trouble, No fuss- I know why
It's so nice, I want to hear the same song twice
It's so nice, I want to hear the same song twice
'cause on the microphone is where I get my fix
just let the lovin' take ahold 'cause it will if you let it
I'm funky not a junkie but I know where to get it
No trouble, no fuss- I know why
It's so nice, I want to hear the same song twice
It's so nice, I want to hear the same song twice
Oowee girl oowee girl oowee girl
There really ain't no time to waste, really ain't no time to hate
Ain't got no time to waste, time to hate
Really ain't no time to let the time go waste
So mister DJ don't stop the music, I want to know
Are you feelin the same way too?
I want to rock it with you girl ooh girl
Don't stop 'cause
It's so nice, I want to hear the same song twice
It's so nice, I want to hear the same song twice
Nowadays the songs on the radio all drive me crazy
The lyrics of Reel Big Fish’s “Boss DJ” speak of a desire for unity and love through music. The singer longs to escape his town via a steel train, using music as a way to express himself and bring people together. He acknowledges that he cannot perform miracles or walk on water, but uses the microphone as a tool to connect with his audience. The singer challenges the spreading rumors by focusing on the power of music, and the way it can bring people together. He emphasizes the need to seize each moment as it comes, and to stay positive, urging the DJ not to stop the music because he wants to keep rocking with the girl who makes him feel happy.
The theme of music as a unifying force is richly embedded in “Boss DJ", but it's also a song about enjoying music for music's sake. The lyrics convey the joy of hearing a particular song repeatedly, the simple pleasure of hearing something you like more than once, and the cathartic feeling of performing music. The singer desires to hear a song playing repetitively, which emphasizes how the feeling of listening to good music can be so powerful that it can’t be expressed merely in one go. The repeated lyric, “It’s so nice, I want to hear the same song twice,” is revealing of our natural addiction to something that brings us real pleasure, just like music.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a steel train coming through, I would take it if I could
There's an opportunity coming my way and I'd take it if I could.
And I would not lie to you, cause Sunday morning soon will come when Things will be much easier to say
I won't lie to you, it's easier to talk about things on Sunday morning.
upon the microphone like a Boss DJ
I can communicate my message using a microphone like a Boss DJ.
But I'm won't walk upon the sea like it was dry land
I won't attempt something impossible like walking on the sea.
The Boss DJ ain't nothing but a man
The Boss DJ is just a human being like anyone else.
No trouble, No fuss- I know why
I have no problems or complications, I know what I'm doing.
It's so nice, I want to hear the same song twice
I really enjoy this music and want to hear it again.
Rumors are spreadin' all over my town but it's like stones and sticks
There are rumors being spread in my town, but they have no real impact.
'cause on the microphone is where I get my fix
Communicating through a microphone is what I love to do.
just let the lovin' take ahold 'cause it will if you let it
Let love guide you, it will if you allow it.
I'm funky not a junkie but I know where to get it
I like to have fun, but I'm not addicted to anything, I know where to find the fun.
Oowee girl oowee girl oowee girl
Expressing excitement with a catchy phrase or sound.
There really ain't no time to waste, really ain't no time to hate
We shouldn't waste time or energy on negative things.
Ain't got no time to waste, time to hate
I have no time to waste and no reason to hate.
Really ain't no time to let the time go waste
We shouldn't waste time, it's precious.
So mister DJ don't stop the music, I want to know Are you feelin the same way too?
Hey, DJ, keep playing the music, are you enjoying it as much as I am?
I want to rock it with you girl ooh girl
I want to enjoy and dance to the music with you.
Don't stop 'cause
Don't stop playing music because it's enjoyable and energizing.
Nowadays the songs on the radio all drive me crazy
Current songs on the radio are not appealing to me, they are frustrating.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRADLEY JAMES NOWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
T S.
It's obviously not as good as Brad's version, but I love this. Reel Big Fish Follows me on Twitter! I love them and wish they covered more sublime. If Pepper covered sublime too I'd freak.
David Nerger
+Triston Stucki Dude if pepper covered sublime I could die peacefully
Jayden Edwards
I like Brads version, but this such a good tribute to pay respect for Brad and Sublime
gods_lie
its better than most covers but nothing can beat the original but this still bops
Jayden Edwards
What A good tribute to Bradley Nowell and Sublime🌴🌞🤙🏽💚💛❤
Our Family Outdoors
I forgot how good this song is
Collie Ian, I ain’t a lyin’
I really like this version.
How do I change my channel name
Huge sublime fan but this is great
Phelan Wolfe
I can't help but honestly feel that this version is better. Like much better. 😬
Alexander Torkeo
Gaming Lobotomy agreed