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)
Song #3
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Coolie Ranx is on the case
Alongside Reel Big Fish the RBF speed relatively slow
Pilfers hold tight
I like the way you shake it baby!
You get me in the mood now
Pilfers Reel Big Fish is gonna start your party wohoo
You've got the eastcoast connection westcoast connection
Providing the music for your dance stimulation
Calling all nations for participation
To play dish ah one on your radio station
And when we com bout now the people start scream
Because this collaboration makes the enemies grieve
We ah nice up the scene and you know what I mean
Coolie Rankin come in
Reel Big Fish now come in
Pilfers Reel Big Fish is gonna start your party wohoo
Yeah Coolie Ranx is on the microphone
Pilfers Reel Big Fish
Launch pad turbo!
Hi yah hi yah hey whe di gal ah sey we rockin it same
way like yo we back in the days
We cool in ah shade we a drink we lemonade
Nuff gal dem just hot we ah go call de brigade
You see hom dem ah walk we dem pon parade
Here we live a life style man we got it made
Gwan now baby girl ahn no you shake
I like the way you shake it Baby!
You get me in the mood now
The lyrics to Reel Big Fish's "Song #3" are a celebration of the unity between two musical acts, Reel Big Fish and Pilfers, with the help of Coolie Ranx. The opening lines of the bridge to base references the communication between two radio operators, indicating a coming together of two entities, Reel Big Fish and Pilfers. The following lines, "Coolie Ranx is on the case. Alongside Reel Big Fish the RBF speed relatively slow", highlights Coolie Ranx as a central figure in the collaboration, bridging the gap between the two groups.
The chorus of the song, "Pilfers Reel Big Fish is gonna start your party wohoo, Yeah Coolie Ranx is on the microphone," invites listeners to join in on the fun and excitement of the collaboration. The following stanza highlights the diverse backgrounds of the two groups, calling out the east coast and west coast connection. The lyrics highlight that the two groups have come together to provide music for dance stimulation, and they're now calling out to all nations to participate. Finally, the last verse, "Launch pad turbo! Hi yah hi yah hey whe di gal ah sey we rockin it same way like yo we back in the days," is an exclamation of excitement, representing the unity of the two groups that's bringing people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Bridge to base , bridge to base
Communication from one group to another is beginning
Coolie Ranx is on the case
Coolie Ranx is taking over and in charge
Alongside Reel Big Fish the RBF speed relatively slow
Reel Big Fish may start slow but they will pump up the party soon
Pilfers hold tight
Get ready for the collaboration of Pilfers and Reel Big Fish
I like the way you shake it baby!
The artist is attracted to someone and they are dancing together
You get me in the mood now
The dancing is making the singer feel a certain way
Pilfers Reel Big Fish is gonna start your party wohoo
Pilfers and Reel Big Fish are ready to get the party started
Yeah Coolie Ranx is on the microphone
Coolie Ranx is the emcee for the night
You've got the eastcoast connection westcoast connection
The music is connecting different parts of the country
Providing the music for your dance stimulation
The music is meant to make people want to dance
Calling all nations for participation
Inviting everyone to join in the fun
To play dish ah one on your radio station
They want their music to be played on the radio
And when we com bout now the people start scream
When they arrive, people start to get excited
Because this collaboration makes the enemies grieve
Their collaboration is making their rivals jealous
We ah nice up the scene and you know what I mean
They are adding vibes to the scene
Coolie Rankin come in
Coolie Rankin is taking over the microphone
Launch pad turbo!
They are getting ready to take off and get the party going
Hi yah hi yah hey whe di gal ah sey we rockin it same
way like yo we back in the days
The girl is saying that they are dancing like they did in the old days
We cool in ah shade we a drink we lemonade
They are relaxing in the shade and drinking lemonade
Nuff gal dem just hot we ah go call de brigade
There are many attractive girls and they are going to call for backup
You see hom dem ah walk we dem pon parade
They are walking in a parade of attractive people
Here we live a life style man we got it made
They are living a good life and are content with it
Gwan now baby girl ahn no you shake
They are encouraging the girl to keep dancing
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AARON BARRETT, COOLIE RANX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Krish Shanmugam
on Everyone Else is an Asshole
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