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 New Version of You
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And when did your one hundred and ten per-cent
Become under fifty?
There you are phoning it in
Goin' through the motions with an artificial grin
You say that you're getting better
You say that you're getting better
One that isn't so lame
You say you're becoming a better person
But I still feel the same
It's the new, it's the new, new version of you
It's the new, it's the new, new version of you
It's the new, it's the new, new version of you
If there's one thing I'd like to do
It's, kill the new version of you
When did you start wearing all of those clothes to be cool?
And when did you start using all that slang?
I can't understand you
I bet you'd forget to say "I love you"
If the teleprompter hadn't told you
You say that you're getting better
You say that you're getting better
You say you're becoming a better person
One that isn't so lame
You say you're becoming a better person
But I still feel the same
It's the new, it's the new, new version of you
It's the new, it's the new, new version of you
It's the new, it's the new, new version of you
If there's one thing I'd like to do
It's kill the new version of you
Who are you? I don't know now
You got me wonderin' I wonder
How you got to be so different now
You say you're becoming a better person
One that isn't so lame
Say you're becoming a better person
But I still feel the same
I still feel the same
It's the new, it's the new, new version of you
It's the new, it's the new, new version of you
It's the new, it's the new, new version of you
If there's one thing I'd like to do
It's kill the new version of you
It's the new, it's the new, new version of you
It's the new, it's the new, new version of you
It's the new, it's the new, new version of you
If there's one thing I'd like to do
It's kill the new version of you
"The New Version of You" by Reel Big Fish is a song about change and the feeling of loss that can accompany it. The lyrics describe the singer's confusion and disappointment with a person they once knew well, who has become a "new version" of themselves that feels artificial and distant. The verses ask pointed questions about this change, pointing out that something that was once genuine and whole-hearted now feels half-hearted and calculated. The chorus repeats the phrase "It's the new, it's the new, new version of you," which becomes a refrain that heightens the sense of alienation and frustration the singer feels. The bridge adds another layer to the dissatisfaction, suggesting that the "new version" is not only different, but actively worse ("If there's one thing I'd like to do / It's kill the new version of you"). Overall, the song captures the feeling of loss and disconnection that can occur when someone we care about becomes someone else entirely.
Line by Line Meaning
When did you quit pulling all of the stops for me?
When did you stop giving everything you have for me?
And when did your one hundred and ten per-cent
Become under fifty?
When did you stop giving your all and start half-heartedly doing things?
There you are phoning it in
Goin' through the motions with an artificial grin
You're only pretending to care and putting on a fake smile
You say that you're getting better
You say you're becoming a better person
One that isn't so lame
You claim to be improving yourself and becoming more interesting
But I still feel the same
But I still feel like nothing has changed
It's the new, it's the new, new version of you
You've completely reinvented yourself
If there's one thing I'd like to do
It's, kill the new version of you
If there's only one thing I could do, it would be to get rid of the new, fake version of you
When did you start wearing all of those clothes to be cool?
When did you start dressing a certain way just to fit in?
And when did you start using all that slang?
I can't understand you
And when did you start using language that I can't even comprehend?
I bet you'd forget to say "I love you"
If the teleprompter hadn't told you
I wouldn't be surprised if you had to be reminded to express love
Who are you? I don't know now
You got me wonderin' I wonder
How you got to be so different now
I don't even recognize you anymore and I'm curious about what happened to cause such a drastic change
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: AARON ASHER BARRETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Krish Shanmugam
on Everyone Else is an Asshole
dont