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)
Stray Cat Strut
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Black and orange stray cat sittin' on a fence
Ain't got enough dough to pay the rent
I'm flat broke but I don't care
I strut right by with my tail in the air
Stray cat strut I'm a ladies cat
I'm a feline Casanova hey man that's that
Get my dinner from a garbage can
Meow. Yeah, don't cross my path!
I don't bother chasing mice around
I slink down the alley lookin' for a fight
Howlin' to the moonlight on a hot summer night
Singin' the blues while the lady cats cry
"Wild stray cat, you're a real gone guy
I wish I could be as carefree and wild
But I got cat class and I got cat style
The song "Stray Cat Strut" by Reel Big Fish tells the story of a black and orange stray cat who's down on his luck and doesn't have enough money to pay the rent. Instead of being bothered by his financial troubles, he struts right by with his tail in the air. He's a ladies' cat, a feline Casanova, and he doesn't care about the shoes thrown at him by mean old men or where he gets his dinner from – even if it's from a garbage can. The cat isn't interested in chasing mice; instead, he slinks down the alley looking for a fight and howls to the moonlight on hot summer nights. While he sings the blues, the lady cats cry for him, admiring his wild and carefree nature.
The lyrics in "Stray Cat Strut" create a contrast between the cat's carefree, wild nature and the structured and refined class of the lady cats. The cat's nonchalant attitude towards his lack of income and his ability to find joy in the simple things, like singing to the moonlight and fighting in alleys, paints him as a rebel. However, the lady cats admire him for his untamed spirit and wish they could be as carefree and wild as he is without risking their cat class and style.
Line by Line Meaning
Black and orange stray cat sittin' on a fence
Observing a free-spirited cat sitting atop the fence, striped with black and orange fur.
Ain't got enough dough to pay the rent
The cat is struggling financially and unable to afford living in a home.
I'm flat broke but I don't care
Despite the financial struggle, the cat remains carefree and unfazed by the situation.
I strut right by with my tail in the air
The cat maintains a confident and proud demeanor as it walks by.
Stray cat strut I'm a ladies cat
The cat is aware of its charm and is skilled at attracting female attention.
I'm a feline Casanova hey man that's that
The cat compares itself to the legendary romantic Casanova and confidently asserts its own ability to woo others.
Get a shoe thrown at me from a mean old man
Sometimes the cat receives negative reactions from people, including being yelled at or having objects thrown at it, possibly due to its roaming nature and lack of ownership.
Get my dinner from a garbage can
The cat relies on finding its own food sources, including digging through garbage cans.
Meow. Yeah, don't cross my path!
The cat acknowledges its reputation as a symbol of bad luck and warns others not to purposely cross its path.
I don't bother chasing mice around
The cat doesn't care for the typical cat and mouse hunt, as it appears to prefer other forms of entertainment.
I slink down the alley lookin' for a fight
The cat enjoys seeking out fights and causing trouble, showcasing a rebellious side.
Howlin' to the moonlight on a hot summer night
The cat howls and revels in the freedom of a warm summer night.
Singin' the blues while the lady cats cry
The cat sings a sad song while female cats long for its attention.
"Wild stray cat, you're a real gone guy
The feline is admired and recognized by others as a wild and independent individual.
I wish I could be as carefree and wild
The other cats envy the stray's freedom and wish they could live a similar carefree lifestyle.
But I got cat class and I got cat style"
The stray cat acknowledges its charm and style, cementing its confidence in its unique identity.
Writer(s): Brian Setzer
Contributed by David B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Krish Shanmugam
on Everyone Else is an Asshole
dont