Reel Big Fish Review by Luke Johnson Californian Ska-Punk band Reel Big Fish recently took a Merseyside crowd by storm whilst touring the UK to promote their latest album, ‘Monkeys for Nothin’ and the Chimps for Free’. Performing at Liverpool’s Carling Academy, Reel Big Fish wowed the sell-out crowd from the first beat with their up-tempo songs, musical excellence and a stage presence that caused more laughs than many comedians. On their latest albums title the band’s funny man front man Aaron Barrett said: “It doesn’t mean anything, it’s just funny and makes you stop. It’s random, that’s what we like, we like random humour.”Support on the night came in the form of Manchester’s Ska-Punk/hip-hop band Sonic Boom Six and the smooth horn filled rhythm of the seven piece Ska-Punk band Streetlight Manifesto. Both bands were crowd pleasers and seemingly crowd pullers as many audience members sung along to every word of the sets and wore the bands’ merchandise.As the lights dimmed and Reel Big Fish took to the stage the venue erupted with cheers as the headliners opened with their most successful song to date and big hit from the ‘90s, Sell Out. What followed was an hour-and-a-half of what makes Reel Big Fish a joy to watch, highly addictive music, a perfect blend of old and new material, a crowd dancing and singing as if no one could see or hear them and a band constantly smiling, dancing, laughing and simply enjoying what they do.After the show guitarist, singer and apparent comedian Aaron Barrett said: “I really honestly love playing the UK better than anywhere else, it’s so much fun.” He added: “I think the show was amazing, I had a really good time”. With the band absent from the city for over three years prior to this appearance their diverse group of fans will be hoping that the next time they appear will be considerably sooner and with Barrett saying: “It would be good to make a new album in a year or two. It’s about time we right some new songs.” they could be in luck.
