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)
Thank You For Not Moshing
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I'm in the pit
I'm going to fuck up shit
When I'm in the pit
Don't you know I'm going to fuck up shit
Reel big fish straight down to you whoa
Got my wife beater on
Doc martins on my feet yeah
I'm wondering who to be
And you know it's really cool
'Cause I played football in high school
Gonna push some little girls tonight
Look out now
When I'm in the pit
I'm going to fuck up shit
When I'm in the pit
Don't you know, I'm going to fuck up shit
Reel big fish straight down to you whoa
And you want to be just like me
Wish I could be myself
And you want to be just like me cause I
Can't think of no one else
And you know it's really great
To punch someone in the face
Gonna push some little girls now
Look out now
When I'm in the pit
I'm going to fuck up shit
When I'm in the pit
Don't you know, I'm going to fuck up shit
Reel big fish straight down to you whoa
Got my wife-beater on
Doc martins on my feet yeah
Running around in a little circle
I'm wondering who to be
And you know it's really cool
'Cause I played football in high school
Gonna push some little girls tonight
Look out now
When I'm in the pit
I'm going to fuck up shit
When I'm in the pit
Don't you know, I'm going to fuck up shit
Reel big fish straight down to you whoa
The song "Thank You For Not Moshing" by Reel Big Fish talks about the experience of being in the pit at a concert, specifically the thrill of causing chaos and destruction. The lead singer talks about his aggressive behavior in the mosh pit and how he enjoys pushing people around and punching them in the face. The lyrics are satire, though and the song is actually a sarcastic take on the mosh pit culture.
The song starts with the lyrics, "When I'm in the pit, I'm going to fuck up shit. Don't you know I'm going to fuck up shit" which implies that the singer is excited to engage in violent behaviors. As the song progresses, the lyrics become more sarcastic as the singer states, "And you know it's really great, to punch someone in the face. Gonna push some little girls now, look out now."
The lyrics are a commentary on the aggressive nature of mosh pits but also a critique of the behavior seen in them. Reel Big Fish is known for their humorous and clever lyrics, and "Thank You For Not Moshing" is a perfect example of this.
Line by Line Meaning
In the Pit
The song is about being in a mosh pit during a concert.
When I'm in the pit
The singer is talking about himself.
I'm going to fuck up shit
The singer plans on being wild and aggressive in the mosh pit.
Don't you know I'm going to fuck up shit
The singer is trying to convince others that he's going to be intense during the mosh pit.
Reel big fish straight down to you whoa
Referring to the band playing the music.
Got my wife beater on
The singer is wearing a sleeveless undershirt.
Doc martins on my feet yeah
The shoes he's wearing are Dr. Martens.
Running around in a little circle
The singer is running around in circles during the mosh pit.
I'm wondering who to be
The singer is trying to be someone different than himself.
And you know it's really cool
The singer thinks it's cool to be aggressive in the mosh pit.
'Cause I played football in high school
The singer is trying to justify his aggression by saying he played football in high school.
Gonna push some little girls tonight
The singer plans on being aggressive and pushing people in the mosh pit.
Look out now
He's warning others to be cautious around him in the mosh pit.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AARON BARRETT, ADAM POLAKOFF, ROBERT QUIMBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roxxx 2
This band Is Awesome!
tabush142
Awesome, the part around 2:00 sounds so amazing
Paige Holmes
i love these guys theyre awesome :D
jackassmk
Was at RBF show on wednesday in santa cruz, first time seeing them live, it was awesome.
SlashMan.EXE
The dudes in the mosh pit pushing around little kids at the Reel Big Fish concert I was at must not have got the irony.
RoronoaZoro55
I Juggernauted my big ass to the front of their show with LTJ in Chicago at the House of Blues and quoted him by saying “You should of gotten out of my way!”
No Approval Needed
Criminal lack of views. Soooo dope. total classic. still
FREERefills11
yes! thank you man. best band ever.
Lindsey G
its like the song i dont feel like dancing it makes you want to dance, this makes you mosh!
WonkiestNebula
Skanking is just freaking awesome.