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)
The Bad Guy
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is not a song about the girl who didn't love me
Once again I have made somebody cry
Once again, once again I am the bad guy
I am the bad guy
[Chorus]
It's mean but I'm not sorry I let you down
It's mean but I'm not sorry I let you down
Don't you wish I never came around
I didn't care that she'd do anything for me
I didn't care that she would sell her soul to serve me
And as the tears fall from the corners of her eyes
I walked away, I walked away cause I'm the bad guy
I am the bad guy
[Chorus]
It's not funny
It's not funny at all, no no
But your misery, your pain
I'm gonna laugh about it all
Cause I'm the bad guy
I am the bad guy
I am the bad guy
It's mean but I'm not sorry I let you down
It's mean, oh yeah
It's mean but I'm not sorry I let you down
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
It's mean but I'm not sorry I let you down [Repeats]
Don't you wish I never came around [Repeats]
"The Bad Guy" by Reel Big Fish showcases the theme of a protagonist acknowledging with utmost certainty that they are the villain. The song doesn't talk about a person that got away or someone who didn't love him. Instead, the singer has made somebody cry once again, and it confirms that he is the one causing the tears. The chorus repeats that it's mean, but he is not sorry about letting the person down. The singer acknowledges that he didn't care that the person would do anything for him or that they would sell their soul for him. As tears fall from the corners of her eyes, the singer walks away because he knows he is the villain.
The chorus repeats itself and emphasizes once again the intention that the singer is not apologetic. He's being honest about his malicious intent and confesses his disregard for someone who sincerely cares for him. The bridge sees the singer take a different angle in creating a distance from his actions. He laughs at the misery and pain of the subject, showing just how self-centered he is. The song ends with a repeat of the chorus, accompanied by the level of repetition that helps the listener to internalize that this is someone who believes they are the bad guy and has no remorse for it.
Line by Line Meaning
This is not a song about the one that got away
Contrary to popular themes in many songs, this song is not about a missed opportunity or unrequited love.
This is not a song about the girl who didn't love me
Nor is this song about a girl who didn't love the singer, as there are many songs centered around that theme as well.
Once again I have made somebody cry
The singer has hurt someone once again, likely by breaking their heart or betraying their trust.
Once again, once again I am the bad guy
The singer acknowledges that they have a pattern of behaving poorly towards others, leading them to be viewed as the villain.
I am the bad guy
Reinforcing the notion that the singer is known to be a negative influence in the lives of others.
It's mean but I'm not sorry I let you down
The singer recognizes that their actions were cruel or hurtful, but refuses to apologize for them.
Don't you wish I never came around
The singer taunts their victim by suggesting that their life would be better off if they had never met.
I didn't care that she'd do anything for me
The singer took advantage of their victim's love and willingness to fulfill their desires, without concern for the repercussions of their actions.
I didn't care that she would sell her soul to serve me
The singer was willing to accept unreasonable sacrifices from their victim, which they knew would negatively impact their life.
And as the tears fall from the corners of her eyes
The singer observes the pain they have caused their victim, as evidenced by the tears they shed as a result.
I walked away, I walked away cause I'm the bad guy
Instead of taking responsibility for their actions and providing comfort to their victim, the singer chooses to reinforce their villainous nature by walking away and refusing to help.
It's not funny
The singer acknowledges that their actions were not humorous, despite their previous comments to the contrary.
It's not funny at all, no no
Reiterating that the situation is not something to be laughed about.
But your misery, your pain
Despite acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, the singer is still able to derive pleasure from their victim's pain.
I'm gonna laugh about it all
The singer takes pleasure in the misery they have caused, and sees it as something to be enjoyed rather than regretted.
Cause I'm the bad guy
Stating their role as the villain of the story.
It's mean but I'm not sorry I let you down
Repeating the sentiment from earlier in the song, implying that they have no remorse for their actions.
It's mean, oh yeah
Echoing their previous comments that their behavior is cruel and hurtful.
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
A sense of triumph or pleasure at their successful role as the villain.
It's mean but I'm not sorry I let you down [Repeats]
Restating their lack of repentance for their bad behavior.
Don't you wish I never came around [Repeats]
Taunting their victim once again, repeating the idea that their life would be better off without the singer's presence.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: XANDY BARRY, WALLY GAGEL, JESSICA MALAKOUTI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
HughWheelerDrums
i wish there was more footage on ryland.....i see them everytime they come to australia purely because their music is awesome and his drumming technique is fucking awesome!!!
GodofTrombones
Such good quality. I was at their Boston show and Aaron put it really well, "BEST TOUR EVER"
warinpants
No other band can sound better live than the CD.
Patrick Owens
This is a gem
fluentinstroll
God damn, Scott can really sing.
mikehowton707
@warinpants I disagree, but they are really good live
pitfireX
ill never forget rbf concerts
JOJOpunk182
that shirt is f*cking awesome
Josh L
I've gotten so used to Matt at this point, I actually thought to myself "Damn, Matt sounds a lot like Scott here..."
Sebastian Conlon
@warinpants the Ramones can they fucking rock but so does Reel Big Fish.