Reel Big Fish

Confession: It’s been a few years since I’ve REALLY listened to Ska. I mean, apart from The Specials. But much like things like Captain Planet and childhood pets, it’s one of those things you can’t give up. Earlier this year, I saw Reel Big Fish at Soundwave. They were hardly the act I was most excited about, I’d seen them a bunch of times before. But a mere two songs in and there I was, back to the skanking 15 year old. That day I unfortunately missed Aquabats, so when this tour was announced, I was, well, a skanking 15 year old.

I’ve often thought one of the main ways Soundwave would be making money is bringing a mid-level band out for the festival, letting hype build from their performance and bringing them back a few months later. And oh boy has it worked this year. Already we’ve had very successful tours by You me at Six, Baroness and Paramore, and there is a huge tour beginning now of Architects, Comeback Kid, This is Hell and Rolo Tomassi. But it seems the band to increase their profile in this country most of Soundwave is Aquabats. When they arrive on stage, the crowd simply lose their mind, and frankly, it’s a better show for it. In front of us we see 5 spandex-uniformed superheros, playing a combination of ska, power pop and surf rock. 60’s imagery (real and fake) flashes on the screen behind them, and the adrenaline never drops below 10(out of 5).They burn through songs at a quick rate, and the crowd is getting rowdier and rowdier (as well as bigger and bigger, the Tivoli’s capacity must have been tested tonight). However, all good things must end, with the band lamenting its playing time (“Because there is a new law in Australia. As of today. That bands that have only been to Australia twice can’t play for more than 50 minutes. And you know who made these laws… Midnight oil,” the singer exclaims), before making the crowd choose between “some depressing song about girls and shit” or “a rad song about a Pool Party”. Pool Party is chosen, and those that had never heard the song before were chanting its lyrics by the end. Someone get these guys their own Australian tour, they deserve it.

But, the chants that start up immediately after show that however good Aquabats were, Reel Big Fish are the clear favourites here tonight. The band run on stage and launch straight into ‘Sell Out’, causing the audience to go mental. After the song, singer Aaron Barrett thanks the audience for coming, and wishes them a good night. Of course, they don’t leave the stage for more than 3 seconds, and run back on and rip through a greatest hits set. It’s amazing to see the level of energy never begin to wane, both on and off stage. “Monkey Man” whips the crowd into a frenzy, as well as covers of “Brown Eyed Girl” and (a surprisingly faithful to the original) “Enter Sandman”, but it is truly their own compositions that shine here, with huge sing-a-longs to “Beer” and “Where have you Been”. During the encore they try their hand at a few new genres (all in the one song) including thrash, hardcore, country and disco, all to great comic effect. They close with their last (and perhaps signature) cover, “Take on Me”, ending the night on a high for everyone.

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