Reel Big Fish

Reel Big Fish: Live At The House of Blues DVDLive At The House of Blues DVD (2003)
Kung Fu Records

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: InaGreendaseBrian
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on December 16th 2003Churning out the fun-ska for around a decade now, major-league veterans Reel Big Fish have finally been captured in a live performance in Anaheim at the House of Blues, and put to high-quality DVD, from the never-ending Kung Fu series simply known as The Show Must Go Off!. Now that my press relea.

Churning out the fun-ska for around a decade now, major-league veterans Reel Big Fish have finally been captured in a live performance in Anaheim at the House of Blues, and put to high-quality DVD, from the never-ending Kung Fu series simply known as The Show Must Go Off!.

Now that my press release-like introduction is out of the way, let's try and be critical, try being the operative word. The sound is crisply produced without taking away the live feel of it, all the members are clearly visible in the shots (except shy bassist Matt Wong, who kind of just chills in the shadows next to the drummer), and the band hits up all three of their representative full-lengths at least a couple times each for a round twenty-song set. [Turn the Radio Off: 9, Why Do They Rock So Hard?: 4, Cheer Up!: 6.] There aren't a whole lot of fault lines to stumble over.

Although it seems like it takes a few songs for RBF to look energetic and into the performance, it's worth the wait when they do, with some slightly-extended jam sessions within songs, plenty of interaction amongst themselves, and Tyler, the lead trumpeter, accompanying a bottle of Jack's the whole show like a Siamese twin. "S.R." includes four different versions of its main verse, the best being the indecipherable-hardcore-growling version. In the interlude of "Beer," Tyler takes it upon himself to recite, freestyle-like, some of Outkast's "So Fresh, So Clean" and Mr. Timberlake's "Cry Me a River"...don't want to give away too much.

The crowd shots are sufficient in their numbers, but most of them are just of kids singing along or nodding their heads. There is one quick flash of some attempted moshing, but never is there a sign of skanking...anywhere. You would think there's enough upstroke-laced guitars to cause some ass-shaking, but nope. Occasionally, we'll get the hilarious shot of someone's completely uninterested gaze, which isn't always a parent.

The special features aren't throwaways either, besides the token links and credits of course (who's Joe Escalante anyway?...pfft). From the "behind-the-scenes" extra, I now know that Aaron Barrett enjoys rocking out to some Reel Big Fish in his car to get himself pumped up for playing a show. Whether or not it always includes the smooth taste of a cigar and a Taco Bell stuffed burrito is up to the viewer to decide. The commentary from Scott and Aaron is funny at times, but seems to work best in the setting as the background noise for busy work or the like, as the humor isn't worth sitting and staring at the television for two hours hearing them talk. The quint-split-song of "Beer" provides endless watching possibilities for the hardcore angle-supporter, with seven different angles to watch it from.

As far as recommendations go, I would be on the fence about it for the casual RBF fan, but anyone inches past that should have already added this to their video cabinet.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

someone-yeah (May 21, 2006)

Score is for the commentary.

"Thats where the baby comes from?!?"

Anonymous (January 5, 2006)

not everyones cup of tea. But i thinking its ace, I have a few live music DVD's of some of the greatest bands in the world but i would still prefer to watch the Reel Big Fish DVD, just because it's entertaining. To me thats what live music is all about.

Anonymous (June 4, 2005)

Live DVD's are pathetic.

Great band though.

Anonymous (May 8, 2005)

Umm, I'm over 16, liked RBF many years ago, and still like them today. Sure, they've had some pretty pitiful releases, but they've also had some great ones. It was Matt Wong that really got me into bass playing, and even though he's nowhere near the best player in the world, I still enjoy listening to his work. Let the elitists carry on, what are they going to solve anyway?

Anonymous (February 27, 2005)

This DVD is great.

Love the randomly crazy commentary.

Also...kudos for the Legal Shot Pam Pam thing. Too bad no one in the crowd seemed to notice when RBF was doing other people's songs. Hepcat, Pilfers, etc.

bloofy (November 24, 2004)

This is an awesome DVD, and the commentary cracked me up.

"Here's something you don't know about this song. I wrote it. My name's Aaron". XD

LEFTPUNK (June 16, 2004)

How the hell could u not like ska an the REEL BIG FISH there like the best band in the universe, holy shit there great gutarists an brassists (is that a work, WTF who cares)...

Anonymous (December 23, 2003)

this guy must have a 12 ft metal rod up his ass to think this shit is good

Anonymous (December 22, 2003)

Dude. Ive never heard of Link 80 or Asian Man Records. Bugg off. I thought you meant Blink 182.

Anonymous (December 22, 2003)

you have got to be joking.... if not, you are the dumbest person i have ever encountered. link 80, as in the skacore band on asian man records.

Anonymous (December 22, 2003)

FYI Jackass... the bands name is Blink 182 (Link80, lolol) and they are not even real punk. They are pop you moron!!!

Anonymous (December 22, 2003)

and i highly doubt you like it the most out of anyone out here, considering you probably dont even know who Link 80 and Downfall are...

Anonymous (December 22, 2003)

because you should know your roots at least a little. but true, all that matters is the music, but reel big fish are a terrible band...so... they make "fun ska" for little 13 year old girls, not to mention they try to hard to be funny, much like the aquabats.

Anonymous (December 22, 2003)

who cares about when it was invented??? all that matters is that the music is bitchin'

Anonymous (December 22, 2003)

ok ok ok.... here we go: ska's been around since the 60's, not the 70's, not the 90's.

as for the dvd: about half way through tyler gets very drunk and very obnoxious (not that much of a shock to anyone who remembers spring heel jack usa.) the only redeeming quality of his often tiresome rants was the random breakdown cover of the pilfers' legal shot pam pam, which no one in the crowd seemed to recognize (in fact i think i'm the only person who's even see the dvd who recognized it....). in fact no one in the crowd seemed to recognize ANYTHING! not even RBF's own material. dvd's fun, but far from essential.

Anonymous (December 21, 2003)

Hey sorry man. Im young and I thought ska wasnt that old. I love the music the most out of anyone here, but who the hell carea about the history???

Anonymous (December 21, 2003)

the term ska coined in the 90's? are you an idiot. how about a band like the SKAtalites which were formed, you guessed it, before the 90's. even in op ivy interviews from 87-89 they mentioned SKA. the word has been around since the 70's dipshit.

Anonymous (December 21, 2003)

Well you are partially right. Ska has been around before the 90s but it was considered reggae. The term ska as we know it today was coined in the 90's. To be totally honest I feel the best in ska has yet to come. Tunage.

Anonymous (December 21, 2003)

Don't get me wrong, I like RBF a lot, and have seen them twice; but they aren't really pioneers. And ska was around WAY before the 90's.

Anonymous (December 20, 2003)

Give RBF some credit. They were one of the pioneers of ska back in the late 90's, when ska was still new.

Anonymous (December 20, 2003)

some people need to back the train up and realize that some music exists for the sake of being fun. On that note, RBF is probably the most fun live band ever.

Anonymous (December 19, 2003)

yea i remember hoobastank opening for homegrown and blink 182 back in the day. hoobastank used to have a sax player that ran around on stage- he was crazy.

Anonymous (December 19, 2003)

Yeah, Guttermouth with Pennywise and Bleed the Dream. I'm still trying to decide...Pennywise just looks sloppy drunk live lately

inagreendase

ThatotherGuy (December 18, 2003)

Linkin Park wasn't ska, but Hoobastank was. No, seriously, anyone else remember that ? About 4 years ago in Colorado I saw them play, it's really weird to hear them now.

As for Reel Big Fish, I used to be REALLY into them, now I just kinda like them.

As for those quotes earlier:

AAA does that song DAMN GOOD, but Propaghandi still rocks.

When did Unwritten Law say that ?

That Guttermouth song is HILARIOUS. Anyone else know they're about to go on tour ? I just found that out.

THAT GUY

Anonymous (December 18, 2003)

You dont dance at ska shows? Thats sad....very sad.

-alex

ZLNFTOC (December 18, 2003)

"Anywhere this band plays is the house of blues... Ohhhhh! -BSD" Well that's because they notice that there are many different types of people who enjoy many different types of music and they can do "S.R." as the blues version.

ZLNFTOC (December 18, 2003)

"A review of RBF brings out some of the hardest hardcopre bastards ever." DAMN STRAIGHT! Yes, they are a bunch of pricks and yes they play music that irritates the piss out of a lot of people. But they're an amazing fucking live band and not the stupid politically correct bullshit that is pervading and ruining the realm of punk/ska such as the new fucking Catch 22. Also, I will never dance at a ska show-I go to hear the band, not run in place like a fucking moron and not sing along.

Anonymous (December 17, 2003)

way to support the RATM, glad to see some people still give em credit.

-god

Anonymous (December 17, 2003)

Linkin Park was a good SKA band, then they sold out to Rap Rock. Posers.

Anonymous (December 17, 2003)

I think someone who's been told dozens of times that his music "sucks" and still enjoys it, probably has more balls than someone who just happens to like what is currently accepted as good music. I guess it's a lot easier to make fun of somebody's taste when you don't expect to be made fun of in return.

-Greg

Anonymous (December 17, 2003)

A review of RBF brings out some of the hardest hardcopre bastards ever. If you dont like it fuck off and learn to appreciate musicianship.

Anonymous (December 17, 2003)

reel big fish were that band that when i was 16 kids would hear them and go "hey this whole punk/ska thing's really nifty" and then start listening to better bands.

i think bands like Thrice are like that now. when kids here them they get way stoked on the music cause its really easy to listen to.

Anonymous (December 17, 2003)

"It cracks me up how kids will just blast the shit out of ska now that emo has taken its place as the dork form of punk."

its funny, cause i'm the one who posted the ska sucks shit but i couldn't have said it any better

emo is the new ska...a poppier, much easier to listen to version of "punk rock" that sits well with 16 year olds who aren't gonna be into any of this shit in 3 years

Anonymous (December 17, 2003)

Save your cheddar for either the Minor Threat DVD or the RATM DVD, which is only $9 at Best Buy.

-sickboi

Anonymous (December 17, 2003)

the urge are good ska

Anonymous (December 17, 2003)

I love ska and I like RBF, but, as everyone has said, those guys are assholes.

notfeelingcreative (December 17, 2003)

I don't know what's worse RBF or all the people who keep quoting Propagandhi when anything ska-related is brought up!!

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

One of the most fun concert, I have been too. Soooo much dancing with all my friends. Always fun.

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

how many fucking times do i have to ask for a dismemberment plan dvd????

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

It cracks me up how kids will just blast the shit out of ska now that emo has taken its place as the dork form of punk.

I am a hardcore bastard to the ninth power, but i still get fucking down to some ska every now and then. In fact, I'm listening to the Specials right now, and the next song in the hopper is by World Burns to Death. How do you like that?

Does this make me uncool 'cause I haven't forgot what I was into back in high school? Maybe, but 5 years from now when Unwritten Law is washing my fucking dishes at a greasy diner, I'll be able to smile and crank that shit up to eleven just to piss 'em off.

-Ken

(P.S. RBF sucks, so does third wave for the most part. gotta be clear on my ska)

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

ska sucks
ska revival isn't cool you stupid fuck

we don't play ska anymore

a public service announcment from unwritten law: destroy all ska bands

maybe i'll go skacore and skank until i die

i'm a tool

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

ever.

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

best band ever.

ZLNFTOC (December 16, 2003)

It's cool if people hate the RBF. Hell, most of the members hated each other anyway (Carlos and Aaron for example). I just dig 'em because it brings back happier memories of watching the "Sellout" video for the first time. BTW, anyone who's heard "Viva La Internet" can attest to what pricks they actually are.

Jon_the_Skafather (December 16, 2003)

"worst band ever

back when these guys were "popular" i thought they sucked...they were like the simple plan of yesteryear...way to happy and poppy, big for the kids who were into ska and punk for the trend, not for anything else

and they still suck now, a lot, way too much to even mention

if you are over 16 and listen to this band (even if you liked them 5 years ago) you should throw away your music collection"

you know....that was actually a pretty decent trolling job. but really....if anyone knew about rbf back in 97 and hated them and still hate them now and post about it online.....how pitiful are you?

but i don't buy it....i'm giving you the benefit of the doubt and that you're just looking to stir up shit.

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

Anywhere this band plays is the house of blues... Ohhhhh!

-BSD

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

worst band ever

back when these guys were "popular" i thought they sucked...they were like the simple plan of yesteryear...way to happy and poppy, big for the kids who were into ska and punk for the trend, not for anything else

and they still suck now, a lot, way too much to even mention

if you are over 16 and listen to this band (even if you liked them 5 years ago) you should throw away your music collection

ZLNFTOC (December 16, 2003)

While were talking about the Kung Fu, did anyone else enjoy the Guttermouth commentary/pre-show drinking session more than the actual performance itself? Mark is a pretty nutty guy.

fattony (December 16, 2003)

AW SHIT! I just wrote a review for this last night. Just have to see if it gets posted, I guess.

Anyway, great disc. No fan should be without it.

skajester (December 16, 2003)

This is by far one of the best live discs I've ever bought. Most of the live dvds that I get end up being sold to the used movie/music store across town, but I've watched this thing five times since I bought it last week.

Jon_the_Skafather (December 16, 2003)

the commentary is funny for hardcore fans but i think everyone else will be like "...what the fuck?"

at least they broke the kungfu curse of the silent commentary, right?

ZLNFTOC (December 16, 2003)

Aaron Barrett may be one of the biggest pricks in music but he's pretty funny too. When I saw them back in the summer of 2001 about a year before "Cheer Up", he asked, "You kids want to hear a brand new song?" before Matt Wong busted into the bass intro to "Brand New Song" which was played nearly perfectly to form. Say what you want about the RBF, but they can at least play their own damn songs right unlike the new Catch 22 who suck.

TheOneTrueBill (December 16, 2003)

I'll wait for someone else to buy it.

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

Must buy.

- Scott
http://www.local-felons.com/

ElVaquero (December 16, 2003)

just about the only ska i don't like. and the aquabats. i am the least fun person ever.