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)
241
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reel Big Fish's song 241 is a playful yet introspective take on the feeling of being trapped in a monotonous routine. The lyrics describe the mundanity of everyday life, with the singer feeling stuck in a cycle of going to work, watching TV, and going to bed, all while feeling unfulfilled and yearning for something more. The chorus plays on the idea of the song's title, repeating "two-forty-one" as a sort of countdown to a change or escape from the mundane.
However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is not necessarily looking for a dramatic change or escape, but rather just a small break in the routine. They sing about wanting to "break the pattern, clear my head," suggesting that perhaps a simple change in routine, such as taking a day off work or going on a small adventure, could provide the relief they are seeking.
Line by Line Meaning
Someday, I'm gonna be happy
One day, I hope to achieve a state of contentment and joy
But I don't know when, just hopein' that I'll be
I am uncertain about when this happiness may come, but my wish is that it will arrive someday
Alive, 'cuz I've been dead for too long
I feel as though I have been spiritually or emotionally dead for quite some time
Got my medication, this state is my home
I am taking medication to manage my mental or emotional state, and this state of being has become familiar to me
Keeps me complacent and content in a world that is wrong
The medication helps me feel satisfied and at ease in a world that I perceive to be flawed or unjust
I don't know what's worth fighting for,
I am unsure of what is truly worth standing up and fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I do not understand why I must express myself so loudly and aggressively to be heard
I don't know why I instigate,
I am uncertain why I always seem to provoke or initiate conflicts
And say what I don't mean
I often say things without considering their actual meaning or effect, causing confusion or upset
I don't know how I got this way,
I am unsure how my current state of being or behavior came to be
I know it's not alright
Although I may have some understanding of my situation, I recognize that it is not a healthy or ideal way to live
So I'm breaking the habit,
I am attempting to change my ways and habits
I'm breaking the habit tonight
My intention is to break the cycle of unhealthy behavior and make positive changes beginning tonight
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AARON BARRETT, ANDREW ERNEST GONZALES, DAN REGAN, GRANT BARRY, MATT WONG, SCOTT ALLEN KLOPFENSTEIN, TAVIS JEREMY WERTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Krish Shanmugam
on Everyone Else is an Asshole
dont