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)
Gigantic
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What a gas it was to see him
Walk her everyday into a shady place
With her lips she said
She said, "Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul
Let's have a ball
Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul
Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul
Let's have a ball"
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
A big, big love
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
A big, big love
Lovely legs there are
What a big black mass, what a hunk of love
He'll walk her every day into a shady place
Like the dark, but I'd want him
"Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul
Let's have a ball
Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul
Let's have a ball
Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul
Let's have a ball"
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
A big, big love
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
A big, big love
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
A big, big love
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
A big, big love
A big, big love
A big, big love
A big, big love
A big, big love
A big, big love
A big, big love
A big, big love
A big, big love
The lyrics of this song are about a woman who loves a man because of his physical appearance, including his white teeth, and big body. The woman in the song talks to someone, named Paul, encouraging him to have a ball with her, but the lyrics don't say if he is interested in her or not. The woman admires the man, saying that she wants him to take her into a shady place every day. The chorus of the song repeats the word "gigantic" several times, emphasizing that the woman is attracted to the man because of his intimidating figure and powerful presence.
Line by Line Meaning
And this I know his teeth as white as snow
I have observed that his teeth are very white.
What a gas it was to see him
It was thrilling and entertaining to see him.
Walk her everyday into a shady place
He routinely walks her to a secret or secluded location.
With her lips she said
Using only her lips, she spoke.
"Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul
She called out to Paul repeatedly.
Let's have a ball
Let's have a great time filled with fun and enthusiasm.
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
This love is extremely immense and significant.
A big, big love
A love that is huge and powerful.
Lovely legs there are
She has very attractive and appealing legs.
What a big black mass, what a hunk of love
He is a very large and attractive man.
Like the dark, but I'd want him
I am attracted to him even though he is mysterious or unknown.
"Hey Paul, hey Paul, hey Paul
She called out to Paul repeatedly.
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
This love is extremely immense and significant.
A big, big love
A love that is huge and powerful.
Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic
This love is extremely immense and significant.
A big, big love
A love that is huge and powerful.
A big, big love
A love that is huge and powerful.
A big, big love
A love that is huge and powerful.
A big, big love
A love that is huge and powerful.
A big, big love
A love that is huge and powerful.
A big, big love
A love that is huge and powerful.
A big, big love
A love that is huge and powerful.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KIM DEAL, CHARLES THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mr Type A Personality
I remember listening to this song about a year ago and thinking it was the worst thing I'd ever heard.
Listening again it's not so bad
Jared Rose
i love both of these bands and this awesome, RBF is seriously trolling everybody
Duhreetoh s
At long last, a Pixies song can finally be played on Radio Disney!
Jeremy Hayden
Actually this is Reel Big Fish. It is on the C.D Where Is My Mind? A Tribute To The Pixies. In fact it was put together by Aaron Barrett and at the time their Bassist Matt Wong. I like the fact that is sounds nothing like them. It is still one of the best covers the ever produced in my opinion.
Joey Woodpieces
STILL DRINK AND DANCE TO THIS SONG LIKE A MAD MAN! Love it! And the Pixies!
SabreKittie
Hate for you naysayers, this was kind of my favorite song for awhile. And it was on Viva la Internet, so it definitely IS RBF and not somebody's side project.
Mike Oxlong
RBF should've covered "Something Against You" i always felt like it could be made into a ska version
Ryanrobot99
This is fucking awesome!
IIIOldSchooLIII
Okay, it's nowhere near as good as the original song but on its own, it's pretty decent.
Drew Bludd
@ckaledin I don't mind it. I mean, when a band like RBF covers a songs as beloved as 'Gigantic' you expect they have to do something different/gimmicky to set it aside from the original. Originals are light, fluffy, different versions of the original classic you're used to.