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It has been almost 20 years since the summer of 1997 – also known as the “Summer of Ska” – when Reel Big Fish broke into the mainstream with “Sell Out.” Critics were quick to point out the novelty of third-wave ska, yet two decades later, Reel Big Fish is still active as ever. The Southern California-based band is still putting out albums and touring more of the year than not.
In advance of Reel Big Fish’s upcoming return to the New York area – they headline Brooklyn Bowl on Feb. 1 and Long Island’s Paramount Theater on Feb. 2 – I had the opportunity to speak with vocalist/guitarist Aaron Barrett. Aaron, who co-founded Reel Big Fish in 1992, also had a side band in the early 2000s called The Forces Of Evil. Within our Q&A, he conveyed both the honesty and the dark humor often found in his lyrics.
For more info on Reel Big Fish – who remain one of this writer’s favorite live acts all these years later — click on over to www.reel-big-fish.com. And for those unavailable to attend those February gigs, the group will be in Atlantic City for a festival in early April, leaving room for another possible local appearance.
Photo by Rob Interieden
When your band first went independent in the mid-2000s, was that something that you did out of necessity? Or had you then realized that it was the smarter way of doing things?
Aaron Barrett: At the time, it was the right choice for us. We were too much of a quirky, niche, underground type band that didn’t sell millions of records, so the major label didn’t really know what to do with us. They had pretty much done as much as they could for us at the time, and we were feeling that we could do just as well as we were doing without being on a label.
Is there anything you miss about being with a big label?
A: We definitely saw the benefits of having a big label behind us, especially with the success of the Turn The Radio Off album. A lot of money was put into advertising and a whole team of people was working on promoting our album and that really was nice, and a big help. That got our music out to a lot more people that it would have if we had been doing it all ourselves at the time. When the label is working for the band and a momentum is going, then everything is awesome, but when you’re “on the shelf” and they aren’t doing anything to help promote your band or your music, there really is no point.
As the sole original member of Reel Big Fish, what is it that keeps you going all these years later? In your position, a lot of people would have started a solo career.
A: Well, I have always been “the guy” writing the songs and keeping the whole thing going since the beginning. The captain of the ship, you might say. Reel Big Fish has always been me and whoever I could get together to play with me. Before we hit it big in 1997, there had already been nine or ten different people join and leave the band, so lineup changes are something that this band has been dealing with since day one.
That’s not to say that I’ve ALWAYS done EVERYTHING all myself and just had a mindless backing band that I tell EXACTLY what to play, far from it. We’ve been really lucky and had a lot of talented people come through this band and add a lot to the music and make it better than it would have been without their input.
A decade or so ago, you released an album with The Forces Of Evil. Was that an enjoyable experience for you?
A: Well that was my attempt to “go solo,” and even though it was a lot of fun and some great music was made, it was pretty much the exact same thing as Reel Big Fish. It was me writing songs and getting whoever I could to play them with me…And it was the exact same type of music, so there really was no need to have a side project in the first place.
The Forces Of Evil showed off your hard rock influences, much like you did on the Why Do They Rock So Hard? album. Who was the first band that inspired you to play lead guitar?
A: When I saw the music video for “Talk Dirty To Me” by Poison on Mtv in the late ’80s, I knew what I wanted to do with my life…shred on the guitar!
Last year saw the release of Happy Skalidays, but is there a follow-up to Candy Coated Fury in the works?
A: I’m sure eventually we’ll make a new album. But I think we have too many songs as it is! It’s hard enough to make the setlist now! (laughs)
From having followed Reel Big Fish over the past two decades, much like They Might Be Giants, I have noticed that there are always a lot of teenagers in your audience. Why do you think that’s the case?
A: Well, I think there’s a frantic energy in the music, a lot of fun and silliness that appeals to younger people, and a lot of angst in the lyrics that teenagers can relate to as well. So that’s why there have always been a lot of young people at the shows. It seems like now more than ever though, there are people of all ages at our shows. We’ve been doing this so long that our fans from back in the day have all grown up and are bringing their kids to the shows!
Another unique thing about Reel Big Fish is you tour with a number of bands repeatedly, like Zebrahead and Suburban Legends. Is that something that your booking agent encourages? Or does that more to do with wanting to be out on the road with friends?
A: We always have a variety of different bands open up for us, but yeah, the ones that we tour with over and over are our good friends. They are bands that get a good reaction from the crowd and make the overall show experience more fun for the audience, and they are awesome people that we want to hang out with!
Is there anything that you haven’t yet accomplished with Reel Big Fish that you one day hope to?
A: I always wanted to play on Saturday Night Live…it could still happen, right?!
What do you remember about the first time you ever played live in New York City?
A: I remember thinking “If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere…”
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
A: I’m literally NEVER home, EVER! When I do have five seconds off between tours, I usually go to the beach. I am from California after all and that’s what we do there!
Did you have a favorite album of 2015?
A: Suburban Legends’ Forever In The Friend Zone.
Finally, Aaron, any last words for the kids?
A: Thanks so much to all the fans who have supported us and come to the shows over the years, we love playing music for you guys! We’ll see you in February!
-by Darren Paltrowitz