Reel Big Fish, the ska/pop band from So Cal, were technically the headliners on this Tuesday night, but the show really belonged to both RBF and Less Than Jake who preceded them.
This is my third or fourth time seeing Reel Big Fish and I have tons of fun every time. While we all waited in anticipation for RBF to come on stage, the break tape played Goldfinger’s “Superman.” Several in the club sang along and I found it very prophetic listening to the line, “So here I am growing older all the time, looking older all the time, feeling younger in my mind.”
Before the song ended, Reel Big Fish came on stage looking very colorful and very lively. Their drummer looks like a skinny version of Mikey from American Chopper while sax player (dubbed Saxel Rose) sported a huge paintbrush mohawk.
They started off with many of their classics such as “Everything Sucks” and “I Want Your Girlfriend To Be My Girlfriend.” Singer Aaron Barrett (and only original member) introduced the song “Everyone’s An Asshole” as a song about everybody but him. They performed a few songs from their new album Candy Coated Fury, which sounded great. The new songs were all very catchy and sounded exactly like The Reel Big Fish we’ve all come to know and love. Other highlights included a cover of “Brown-Eyed Girl” and the old Aha tune “Take On Me.” I found it quite fitting for a punk band cover a song that was part of the movement to drown punk and return the airwaves back to the goopy, drippy drivel intended to lull everyone into a false sense of security.
During “Sell Out,” the crowd pogoed so ferociously I felt the floor heave deeply with each bounce. Then the time came when a particular song was introduced as being about their favorite drink. Everyone expected then to dive into the opening chords for Beer, but instead the trombone kicked into the Darth Vader theme, then the intro to Tequila, before they claimed they didn’t really know how to play those songs and ground into the chords for Beer.
At various times, different band members would choreograph their moves, whether it was synchronized kicks, spins, or whatever else they fancied doing. The Showbox was packed solid.
When it came time to play “Suburban Rhythm,” they had a bit of fun changing the tempo into a disco tune (in which a disco ball spun above the audience and cast disco ball reflections throughout), to death rock and even square dance. It’s a sight to see when the entire dance floor of the Showbox is awash with square dancers swinging about arm in arm. These are just a few examples of how much fun Reel Big Fish are live. Their sense of humor and silliness along with some very fine playing, make them one of the most entertaining live bands ever.
Less Than Jake co-headlined this show. I’ve only seen LTJ once before at Warped Tour (I think it was in ’06). I was all set to go see them the last time, but I got to the Showbox only to find the show had been canceled. I was more than excited that they were finally playing in Seattle again. As much fun as they were at Warped, this show was twice as fun. As I eagerly awaited, smashed against the stage like a pancake on a hot griddle, I took note of the stage tech wearing a TARDIS shirt (ten points for any reader who knows what a TARDIS is). Then Less Than Jake came on stage while Hail To the Chief played (perhaps an homage to the fact the second presidential debate aired that night?) They opened their set with Gainesville Rock City, then introduced their next song as almost an apology. “Every band has a ballad. This is our ballad,” then sprang into “Look What Happened (The Last Time).”
The various band members took turns joking with the audience. There was quite a bit of toilet humor and joking about Justin Beiber (Beiber pukes on stage and it’s front page news).
These Gainesville, Fla dudes are celebrating their twentieth anniversary as a band and they were in fine form. The current lineup consists of, Chris – Vocals/Guitar Roger – Bassist/Guitar JR – Saxophone Buddy – Trombone Vinnie – Drums.
The absolute highlight of not only Less Than Jake’s show, but the entire evening was when the band picked me out of the crowd and insisted I join them on stage. The next thing I knew, I was being dragged over the barricade, then escorted onto the stage. I am unsure why I was chosen, but quel honneur! Same thing happened to me two years ago almost to the day at a Street Dogs concert. Less Than Jake was so worth the wait and I will see them again even if they go another twenty years and I’m in my seventies by then. They are way too much fun to not go see live. So anyone who missed them this time, you now know what you missed and I hope you see the error of your ways. Less Than Jake ROCK and are keeping ska punk alive and healthy!
Getting the crowd thoroughly warmed up was Chicago’s Flatfoot 56. I’ve seen them a couple times opening for The Street Dogs, but this show was their best yet. This Celtic punk band played fast and they played hard. They held absolutely nothing back. Singer Tobin Bawinkel started by talking about Seattle’s sunny weather and how he’s been here like ten times and has never seen the weather like it was that day. Other members during the show joked about the endless rain in Seattle as well. Flatfoot 56 started out fast and furious and never slowed down. Brandon Good has got to be the most energetic mandolin player ever. He ran about the stage as if his feet were on fire and even switched to harmonica for their famous song “I’ll Fly Away” (which had everyone singing along). For the finale, drummer Justin switched places with Brandon and after taunting the crowd for a bit, dove head first into a raucous cover of Surfin Bird. He managed to build the audience into a wild fury with his papa ooh mow mows before taking a flying leap onto the dance floor and surfing the crowd while still shouting out his papa ooh mow mows. Flatfoot 56 have really evolved into a great live act. What a way to get a crowd worked up!
Opening the entire evening (and doing a damn fine job of it) was Mrs. Skannotto from Rochester, NY. Filling the club with a smooth horn section and the gritty pipes of Joe Harmon, this band had the crowd moving in no time. Rounding out the band were, Mike Frederick – Guitar, Justin Lloyd – Trumpet, Dan Carter – Bass, Evan Dobbins – Trombone and Alex Bochetto – Drums. I hope to see more of them in the near future.
