Reel Big Fish, the American ska and punk band best known for the 1997 radio hit “Sell Out”, gained mainstream recognition nearly ten years ago and have released a total of seven albums since forming in 1992. One of the leading Ska acts of their time, Reel Big Fish brought a different kind of sound to Warped Tour for the general public to enjoy. The following is an interview with Scott and Derek regarding their music, yoga, and Warped Tour 2008.

 

D: I am with Scott [Klopfenstein] and Derek [Gibbs] of Reel Big Fish. What kind of themes do you guys cover in your music?

S: The basic stuff that I think most people connect with—love, anger, being famous, being signed to a record label and not enjoying the relationship of business and music, and extremely universal themes.

D: What image do you think Reel Big Fish conveys to the public?

S: Gosh, that’s a good question. You can always try and control the image that people see but they are going to believe what they will. I like to think we convey the image of being a good-time band.

De: A happy and pleasant thing.

S: Yes, with a certain amount of angst so like a candy-coated fury or a middle-finger with a bow wrapped around it.

De: Or like Pop Rocks.

S: Yeah, they’re candy, and they’re tasty, but then you’re like “Ow!”

D: How difficult has it been for Reel Big Fish with the turnover in members of the band?

S: It’s actually been really easy, remarkably easy. Luckily, we’ve had people that are willing to jump in place and enjoy the music; it’s always hard to see people you’ve been playing music with for a long time go, but for us to continue to do it we have to have people that are going to fit, whether personally or musically. The work ethic has to be there because we do work constantly. It truly is the happiest time the band has ever experienced as far as members, music, shows, and recording. It’s really a pleasant time to be in it; I’ve been in the band since ’94 and these are the best days we’ve seen. Even above when we were on the radio and MTV, this is far superior.

D: If you could only play one of your albums for the rest of your life, which would you pick and why?

De: I would have to pick Why Do They Rock So Hard?

S: That is a really great record. Why Do They Rock So Hard is one of my personal favorites. For me, I like all of our records, mainly because I think they are very personal and represent a time-line. They all have memories, experiences, smells, and sounds that crop up.

De: Yeah, that’s like saying “Which one of your kids do you want to take to Disney Land?”

S: When they’re all well-behaved. Obviously if one’s not well-behaved, leave them. I don’t truly believe it; if I did my wife would kill me.

D: Charlotte STYLE is a lifestyle magazine, and one of our emphases is in fashion. Do you guys have any clothing brand loyalty?

S: I’ve fallen in love with Ernest Sewn pants; I think they just fit the best. I do enjoy Steven Allen; he’s a designer in New York. He has great clothing; he needs to broaden the shoulders on his button-up shirts a little bit; they fit a little too snug, and I have really broad shoulders. I go to shop at Barneys Co-Op in New York; there’s a lot of stuff there I like. Also, Theory’s men stuff is good conservative, business-casual attire.

D: Derek, what about you?

De: I’m pretty much the polar opposite. If it looks okay, and it’s cheap, I go for it. I wear a lot of Converse so maybe there’s a little loyalty there.

D: What are the best and worst aspects of being on Warped Tour?

S: Well you’re going to get different answers from both Derek and I. For me, the best aspect for me is I get to do yoga every morning at 9:00AM. That’s my favorite thing.

D: Who do you do yoga with? Any other bands?

S: Right now, it’s just our horn section. Other people come in and out. Our horn section are the only regulars. The Warped Tour provides the yoga every morning at 9:00AM. I was at home five days before the tour, my wife was getting up to go to work, and I had this dream. This is true I had this dream. I had a dream that they had yoga every morning on the Warped Tour. She was like, “I don’t see that happening, but congratulations.” In San Francisco our drummer came up to me and handed me a number and said, “Call this number; you’ll be pleasantly surprised”. When I’m home, and I have the time, I like to take yoga three times a week in the mornings. It’s a great way to start the day, get inside your body, be aware of your own existence, and quiet out all of the noise because man, oh man, that’s the thing I don’t like. It’s constantly noisy.

D: So that would be the worst aspect?

S: Yeah, you can’t get away from the noise! Even on the bus, which is a relatively quiet place it’s so noisy.

De: There’s always something running, either the generator, the engine, the music, or a DVD. Is yoga free?

S: No, it’s five dollars a class or you can pay twenty dollars for five classes.

De: Oh, so Warped Tour gives you the opportunity to take yoga?

S: Yeah, but it’s great. I actually got our other two guys doing it. I was the only one really excited about doing it, and then I got our other two horn players doing it.

D: So you’re the only band on the entire Warped Tour that does it?

S: Well, and the bass player from Say Anything, Alex. He did it with me for a few days because I talked him into it. Travis from Gym Class Heroes was supposed to show up, and he hasn’t yet. Liam, the bass player for Dillinger Escape Plan, he came and did it a few times while they’ve been out here. I think I’ve missed one day.

D: So you’re like the spokesperson for Vans Yoga?

S: Yeah, I don’t personally drink or do drugs; I smoke and that’s about it. The body takes a lot of wear and tear out here. Also, the spiritual side is really good, such as redirecting your energy. It’s all very important to having a healthy Warped Tour experience.

D: Derek, what about you? What are the best and worst aspects?

De: Let me start off by saying, I sleep while he’s doing yoga, and that’s my yoga. The best thing about it I think is getting so many people that do this together in one place. It’s nice to go to the BBQ they have every day after the show, and you’re mingling, and everyone’s friendly. The worst part is having to use the porta potty every day.

D: Ew, yeah, you are not the first person to say that.

De: I’m sure it’s the general, overall attitude. But I mean, you get used to it, and I’m not dead yet. We’ve had some really hot weather.

D: The last question I have for you guys, what do you guys want to be remembered for as Reel Big Fish?

S: For being different from the norm. For standing out and providing true entertainment for our fans and the general public.

De: One of the greatest things is being up on stage and seeing a ton of people out there enjoying what you’re doing. Seeing them all cheering and reacting positively.

S: Facing in the direction of us while we’re doing it. That kind of thing.

De: That’s why we do it. Those thirty minutes every day.

D: Well thank you guys much, and I can’t wait to hear what the next few years mean for Reel Big Fish!

S: Me too!