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)
Join the Club
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was gonna go and start a band
But everything I want to do has already been done.
Why would I want to go and do it again?
Everybody, plays guitar.
She's so cute (if you know what I mean)
She's the cutest little girl that I've ever seen
Maybe she'll like me if I'm the lead singer yea
Oh yea! there's so many bands, and we all look the same
I just saw them, up on stage and I don't
Remember how good they played.
He can't sing,
But I'd pay just to see her face, yea, yea, yea, yea
Everybody's in a band yea, yea, yea
Have you heard of my band? oh, oh, oh
We try to be different
But I guess that's nothing new.
The song Join the Club by Reel Big Fish begins with the singer expressing their desire to form a band and call their friends together for it. However, they feel that everything they want to do has already been done and wonders why they would want to do it again. The singer then remarks that everyone seems to play the guitar, and expresses his interest in a girl who is the cutest he has ever seen. He thinks that the girl might like him if he plays the guitar or is the lead singer.
The singer then goes on to comment on the abundance of bands and how they all look the same. He had seen a band play earlier but does not remember how well they played. Even if they played badly, he would still pay to see the girl's face. The song ends with the singer acknowledging that even though they try to be different, it seems like nothing new.
Line by Line Meaning
Was gonna call my friends and get'em all together
I had plans to gather my friends and create a band
I was gonna go and start a band
I had intentions of beginning a band
But everything I want to do has already been done.
All my desired actions have already been attempted and accomplished.
Why would I want to go and do it again?
What is the point of repeating something that has already been done?
Everybody, plays guitar.
All people seem to play the guitar.
She's so cute (if you know what I mean)
She is attractive (with a suggestive tone).
She's the cutest little girl that I've ever seen
She is the most adorable female I have ever laid eyes on.
Maybe she'll like me if I play guitar
Perhaps my ability to play guitar will make her fond of me.
Maybe she'll like me if I'm the lead singer yea
Possibly, being the band's lead vocalist will result in her favoring me.
Oh yea! there's so many bands, and we all look the same
There are numerous bands that resemble one another.
I just saw them, up on stage and I don't
I recently witnessed them perform on stage.
Remember how good they played.
I cannot recall their excellent performance.
He can't sing,
He has poor singing ability.
But I'd pay just to see her face, yea, yea, yea, yea
Despite his lack of skill, I would be willing to pay just to watch her.
Everybody's in a band yea, yea, yea
Everyone has a band nowadays.
Have you heard of my band? oh, oh, oh
Are you familiar with my band?
We try to be different
We aim to distinguish ourselves from others.
But I guess that's nothing new.
Nonetheless, that is not a unique effort.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AARON BARRETT, TAVIS JEREMY WERTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@clicker967
Fatest-catchiest Reel Bigfish song. The Everything sucks version and turn the radio off version is awesome. I can't wait to buy this album.
@lexicondevil09
I NEED SOME SKA IN MY LIFE
@dudemanaric
This song rocks
@chrishaas1511
So good 👍🏻
@oop007
Same here. One of my all time faves by RBF.
@christineanderson3327
one of my favorties on Turn the Radio Off
@Sleesball1
Still listening! :)
@cuppycakesandzombies
Streetlight is AMAZING.
@newjustice1212
favorite rbf song.
@MrLukeKK
Muahaha everybody plays guitar, I play BASS GUITAR!!! To this song, and it's fun as shit