In 2012, the mainstream machine isn’t behind the ska scene the way it once was.  However, many of the bands remain strong with thriving fan bases.  Reel Big Fish is a perfect example of one of the original third-wave ska bands still finding success today.

In support of their latest effort, Candy Coated Fury, Aaron Barrett (vocals & guitar) and company tore through Houston for a night of old school ska-punk, fun, theatrics, humor, and memories.  Despite breaking into the business twenty years ago, Reel Big Fish still played with a youthful enthusiasm, and every member relished the opportunity to share an evening with their fans.

The band took the stage at 9:40PM to “The Kids Don’t Like It” and immediately stirred the crowd into a frenzy.  Less than a minute in, the fans were feeling it.  Moshing, crowd surfing, and skanking (more on this later), the music of Reel Big Fish swelled a fervor throughout the crowd that gradually built throughout the evening.

By the fourth song, “I Want Your Girlfriend to Be My Girlfriend,” the band had found its groove.  On this song, everything clicked.  Singer / Guitarist Aaron Barrett was oozing with stage presence and delivered a brilliant vocal and instrumental execution of a standout song from the critically acclaimed 1998 album, Why Do They Rock So Hard?

With the crowd already in a state of constant motion, “Don’t Stop Skankin’” took it to an entirely different level.  Before the song got underway, Barrett took to the mic and asked the crowd to “skank” throughout the song.  Recognizing that some younger fans might not know what he was talking about, he simply said “look to your right and look to your left and you’ll learn.”  The audience absolutely loved it.  Save for a few stragglers who were “too cool,” everyone in attendance was shuffling their respective feet and arms to the beat of the song.  Moments like this are what separates a decent live event from an excellent one.  Many bands around as long as Reel Big Fish will simply go through the motions, with little-to-no concern for crowd interaction.  Not this band.  Not on this day.  For this night, everyone in attendance was family.

The moments of the night for me came with the two of the last songs, “Beer” and “Take On Me,” closing the main set and encore respectively.  “Beer” is a fantastically catchy song that resonates perfectly with a live crowd, providing a gratifying payoff for both the casual and hardcore fans.  Likewise, “Take On Me,” an A-ha cover, does the same for the casuals and hardcores, but also elicits excitement from those who didn’t even come to see the band.  Whether they ended up at the show with a boyfriend/girlfriend, mom/dad, sister/brother, friend, or simply felt like catching a night of good live music, they likely left wanting more.

There’s probably no better word to describe a Reel Big Fish show than simply “fun.”  The band will casually break out in cover songs, then suddenly stop.  Members will pull out whoopee cushions and prank on other members.  They’ll banter on stage like a group of best friends out for a night of beers, allowing everyone in attendance to take a peek behind the curtain.  They came to play music, entertain, and have fun.  I, for one, loved every moment of it.
Setlist:

The Kids Don’t Like It / In the Pit
Another F.U. Song
Everything Sucks
I Want Your Girlfriend to Be My Girlfriend Snoop Dog, Baby Good Thing Don’t Stop Skankin’
Enter Sandman (Metallica Cover)
The Set Up (You Need This)
The Fire
Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison Cover)
Ban the Tube Top
Punisher
Trendy
Your Guts (I Hate ‘Em)
Where Have You Been
S.R.
Beer

Encore:

Sell Out
She Has a Girlfriend Now
Take On Me (A-ha Cover)

Contact Robert at robert@starsandsatellites.com