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)
Veronica Sawyer
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing to do but to drive in circles
Well, I don't want to have to go home tonight
Up and down the boulevard
How did I survive in suburbia
When there's nothing to do
And they take away what I love to do the most, yeah
[Chorus]
Friday night, you're not gonna get it
Saturday, you try to give me one more
Sunday morning, just waiting for the
Afternoon so I can be a kid again
I head back to my backyard
I know life's rough but sometimes it's really hard
To do what I love to do the most, yeah
Now I'm stuck, I'm back in the loop again
I'm not gonna lose and I know I'm never gonna win
Sometimes life is just that way
We all say
[Chorus: x2]
And now the weekend comes and I try to get inside
But the guy at the door tells me that I'm denied
Friday night, you're not gonna get it
Saturday, you try to give me one more
Sunday morning, just waiting for the
Afternoon so I can be a kid again
Friday night
Saturday
Sunday morning, just waiting for the
Afternoon so I can be a kid again
Friday night
Saturday
Sunday morning, just waiting for the
Afternoon so I can be a kid again
[Chorus]
You try to give me one more
You try to give me one more
Friday night
Saturday
Sunday morning, just waiting for the
Afternoon so I can be a kid again
The lyrics to Reel Big Fish's song "Veronica Sawyer" touch upon the themes of boredom, the struggle to find purpose, and the yearning to relive nostalgic childhood memories. The singer looks out their window and realizes there is nothing to do but drive around in circles. They feel suffocated by suburban life, where everything feels monotonous and there is little excitement. The line, "When there's nothing to do and they take away what I love to do the most," suggests that the singer has a passion or hobby that has been stripped away from them.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and the frustration of feeling stuck. Each day of the weekend represents a different attempt to break free from this cycle, but they all ultimately lead back to the same feeling of boredom and the desire to relive carefree childhood moments. The line, "But the guy at the door tells me that I'm denied," represents the constant roadblocks and obstacles that prevent the singer from feeling free.
Overall, "Veronica Sawyer" is a relatable song about the struggle to find purpose and enjoyment in life, especially in the face of routine and monotony.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking out my window
Observing my surroundings from a place of disinterest
Nothing to do but to drive in circles
Having no purpose or direction, just going through the motions
Well, I don't want to have to go home tonight
Desiring an escape from mundane reality
Up and down the boulevard
Traveling familiar paths without variation or challenge
How did I survive in suburbia
Reflecting on the unfulfilling nature of suburban life
When there's nothing to do
Expressing the boredom and lack of stimulation in the environment
And they take away what I love to do the most, yeah
Feeling that personal interests are being stifled or suppressed by external forces
[Chorus]
Repeating the cyclical and unfulfilling pattern of seeking weekend entertainment
I head back to my backyard
Retreating to a familiar and somewhat comforting space
I know life's rough but sometimes it's really hard
Acknowledging the difficulties of life and expressing frustration
To do what I love to do the most, yeah
Claiming the importance of personal interests and pastimes
Now I'm stuck, I'm back in the loop again
Feeling trapped and unable to break free from monotonous routines
I'm not gonna lose and I know I'm never gonna win
Accepting the lack of progress or achievement in life
Sometimes life is just that way
Expressing resignation to life's difficulties and lack of meaning
We all say
Acknowledging that this is a shared experience
[Chorus: x2]
Repeating the cycle of seeking weekend entertainment
And now the weekend comes and I try to get inside
Anticipating the weekend with an eagerness to find meaning
But the guy at the door tells me that I'm denied
Being excluded or rejected from potential sources of entertainment
You try to give me one more
Being offered another chance at weekend entertainment, but with little enthusiasm
Friday night
Beginning of the recurring weekend cycle
Saturday
Continuation of the weekend cycle
Sunday morning, just waiting for the
Anticipation for the end of the weekend cycle
Afternoon so I can be a kid again
Finding a sense of playful escape in the midst of an unfulfilling reality
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Krish Shanmugam
on Everyone Else is an Asshole
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