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)
Brand New Hero
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd reach for the stars but I can't find my arms
All this time we've accomplished so much
Why can't I believe why can't I just feel love?
Goin' away leavin' today you've gotta find a brand new hero
I let you down when you're not around you know I can't be trusted with anything
All this time we've wanted so much to just belong why can't we just feel love?
What will they say when I've gone away? Gotta find a brand new hero
The lyrics in Reel Big Fish's song "Brand New Hero" reflect one's introspective thoughts about themselves and their own self-worth. The line "I've got big dreams but no self-esteem, you know?" suggests that the singer has aspirations and desires, but lacks the confidence in themselves to achieve them. The following line, "I'd reach for the stars but I can't find my arms," adds to this feeling of helplessness and inability to pursue one's goals. The singer seems to be stuck in a cycle of doubting themselves, despite the accomplishments they've made in their life, as seen in the line "All this time we've accomplished so much. Why can't I believe why can't I just feel love?"
The chorus of the song adds a sense of urgency and the need for change. The line "Goin' away leavin' today you've gotta find a brand new hero" suggests that the singer knows they have let someone down and the only solution is for the other person to move on and find someone more reliable. The phrase "brand new hero" implies that the person leaving needs a fresh start with someone new who they can believe in. The final line of the chorus "What will they say when I've gone away? Gotta find a brand new hero" highlights the singer's fear of being forgotten and replaced, adding a sense of vulnerability to the song as a whole.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got big dreams but no self-esteem, you know?
I aspire to achieve great things, but I lack confidence and belief in myself.
I'd reach for the stars but I can't find my arms
I want to aim high and succeed in life, but I feel powerless and handicapped.
All this time we've accomplished so much
Throughout our journey, we've achieved a lot and come a long way.
Why can't I believe why can't I just feel love?
Despite all my accomplishments, I struggle to have faith in myself or accept love and affection from others.
Goin' away leavin' today you've gotta find a brand new hero
I'm leaving and you need to find someone else to look up to or rely on.
I let you down when you're not around you know I can't be trusted with anything
I've let you down in the past, and I don't have your confidence when you're not here. I don't feel capable of anything.
All this time we've wanted so much to just belong why can't we just feel love?
All along, we've yearned to fit in and be accepted, but we struggle to experience genuine love and connection.
What will they say when I've gone away? Gotta find a brand new hero
What will people say or think when I disappear? They need to find someone else to look up to because I'm not it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AARON BARRETT, CARLOS F. GARZA, DAN REGAN, MATT WONG, SCOTT ALLEN KLOPFENSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Krish Shanmugam
on Everyone Else is an Asshole
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