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)
Last Show
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will ever play with you
This is the end of what you put me through
The last show I will ever play with you
This is the end of what we do
I don't want fame, I don't want money
I just want to have fun again
I just want to feel like we're friends
I think I've learned my lesson
I think I've figured this whole thing out
This is a fine profession
But it's no fun
So I'm done
This is the last show
I will ever play with you
This is the end of what you put me through
The last show I will ever play with you
This is the end of what we do
I never thought I would hate music
I never thought I would hate you
But every day this feels more like a job I don't even want to do
I think I've learned my lesson
I'll never follow my dreams again
I won't waste any more of your time
So kiss my ass
I won't be back
This is the last show
I will ever play with you
This is the end of what you put me through
The last show I will ever play with you
This is the end of what we do
Did we do it for the money?
Did we do it because we were bored?
I was better off with what I had before
And that was nothing
That was
Nothing
At
All
This is the last show
I will ever play with you
This is the end of what you put me through
The last show I will ever play with you
This is the end of what we do
This is the last song
This is the last line goodbye.
The lyrics to Reel Big Fish's song "Last Show" depict the singer's final performance with someone who has caused them significant pain and stress. The first line of the chorus sets the tone – that this is the last time they will perform with this person. The words "This is the end of what you put me through" suggest the other person has been difficult to work with in some manner, and the singer is relieved to be ending the professional relationship.
The verses provide insight into the singer's disillusionment with the music industry. The lines "I don't want fame, I don't want money / I just want to have fun again" refer to the fact that the act of performing music has ceased to be enjoyable for the singer. The image of wanting to feel like "we're friends" rather than wanting to attend exclusive parties or be surrounded by fawning fans demonstrates they value authentic connections over glitz and glam. When the singer sings "I think I've learned my lesson / I'll never follow my dreams again," they are suggesting they have been burned by the music industry and the dream they once had to make a career out of their passion has been lost.
The final line, "This is the last song / This is the last line goodbye" serves as a reckoning; the relationship and the singer's love of music have come to an end.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the last show
This will be the final performance
I will ever play with you
I will never perform with you again
This is the end of what you put me through
This marks the conclusion of the difficulties you caused me
The last show I will ever play with you
This is the final time I will perform with you
This is the end of what we do
This is the conclusion of our musical collaboration
I don't want fame, I don't want money
I am not interested in popularity or wealth
I just want to have fun again
I want to enjoy music again
I don't want girls, or backstage parties
I am not interested in female companionship or extravagant events
I just want to feel like we're friends
I want to experience a sense of camaraderie
I think I've learned my lesson
I believe I have gained insight from this experience
I think I've figured this whole thing out
I believe I have solved the problem at hand
This is a fine profession
Music is a respectable career choice
But it's no fun
However, it is not enjoyable
So I'm done
Therefore, I am quitting
I never thought I would hate music
I never expected to dislike music
I never thought I would hate you
I never expected to dislike you
But every day this feels more like a job I don't even want to do
However, every day music feels more like an unwanted obligation
I'll never follow my dreams again
I will never pursue my passions again
I won't waste any more of your time
I will not squander any more of your time
So kiss my ass
Therefore, I am expressing my disregard for you
I won't be back
I will not return
Did we do it for the money?
Did we pursue music for financial gain?
Did we do it because we were bored?
Did we pursue music because we had nothing else to do?
I was better off with what I had before
I was happier with my previous situation
And that was nothing
That situation was nothing at all
This is the last song
This is the final musical composition
This is the last line goodbye.
This marks the end of our communication.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Krish Shanmugam
on Everyone Else is an Asshole
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