Reel Big Fish is an American ska punk band from Los Alamitos, California. Formed in December 1991, the group originally consisted of vocalist Ben Guzman, guitarists Aaron Barrett and Lisa Smith, bassist Matt Wong, keyboardist Zach Gilltrap and drummer Andrew Gonzales. The group's current lineup features Barrett, who took over as lead vocalist in 1993, alongside trombonist Dan Regan (who first joined in 1994 and returned in 2024), vocalist/trumpeter/guitarist Scott Klopfenstein (1995-2011, 2026-) trumpeter John Christianson (since 2004), bassist Derek Gibbs (since 2007), saxophonist Matt Appleton (since 2011) and drummer Ed "Smokey Beach" Larsen (since 2014).

History Reel Big Fish was formed as a hard rock outfit in December 1991. The original lineup featured Ben Guzman, Aaron Barrett, Lisa Smith, Matt Wong, Zach Gilltrap and Andrew Gonzales, who released the band's first self-titled demo tape (known as In the Good Old Days...) in 1992. By the following year, Barrett had taken over on lead vocals and decided to pursue a ska direction for the group, which was now a three-piece comprising himself, Wong and Gonzales. For their second self-titled demo (known as Return of the Mullet), the trio employed the services of trumpeter Eric Vismantas and saxophonist Stephan Reed.

By 1994, the band had added Tavis Werts on trumpet, Dan Regan on trombone and Adam Polakoff on saxophone, who released Buy This! that year. By the time the group recorded its debut full-length album Everything Sucks, Robert Quimby had joined as a second trombonist. Quimby and Polakoff left before Turn the Radio Off, on which second trumpeter Scott Klopfenstein and new trombonist Grant Barry debuted. During the tour in promotion of 1998's Why Do They Rock So Hard?, Gonzales left in February 1999 to "pursue other interests and spend more time at home". He was followed the next month by Barry, who was dismissed for "personal differences".

With new drummer Carlos de la Garza, Reel Big Fish recorded much of Cheer Up! during 2000, before Werts quit in October 2001 and recording was completed by Tyler Jones, who took over his position the next month. In the summer of 2003, de la Garza was replaced by Justin Ferreira, a bandmate of Barrett's in the Forces of Evil. Another member of the Forces of Evil, trumpeter John Christianson, replaced Jones following his departure in September 2004. In 2005 the band released We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy, before Ferreira left in early 2005 and was replaced by Ryland Steen. Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free followed in July 2007.

In June 2007, founding member Matt Wong announced his departure from the band in order to "settle down and be a family man"; he was replaced by the Forces of Evil bassist Derek Gibbs. The new lineup released Fame, Fortune and Fornication in 2009, followed by A Best of Us... for the Rest of Us and Skacoustic in 2010. In January 2011, long-term trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist Scott Klopfenstein left the group for a similar reason as Wong, stating that he wanted to "dedicate his life to raising a family". John Christianson subsequently became the band's sole trumpeter, as Klopfenstein was replaced by Goldfinger touring saxophonist Matt Appleton.

After the release of Candy Coated Fury in 2012, another long-term horn player, trombonist Dan Regan, left the band in October 2013 to focus on life with his family. He was replaced by Billy Kottage. In the summer of 2014, Steen left to tour with America and was replaced by Ed "Smokey Beach" Larsen. This lineup released one album, Life Sucks... Let's Dance! in 2018, before Kottage left the band and was replaced in the summer of 2019 by touring musician Brian Robertson of Suburban Legends. The band went on hiatus in 2020 and has not returned to live performing since. In July 2024, Ice Nine Kills released a cover of "Walking On Sunshine" in collaboration with Reel Big Fish, featuring Dan Regan as a credited band member for the first time since 2013.. On April 24, 2026, Reel Big Fish were announced to be playing the Long Beach and Orlando dates for the Vans Warped Tour, with Scott Klopfenstein as a returning member additional to Regan.

Members Current ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsAaron Barrett1991–presentall Reel Big Fish releasesDan Reganall releases from Buy This! (1994) to Candy Coated Fury (2012), and from "Walking On Sunshine" (2024) Scott Klopfensteinall releases from Turn the Radio Off (1996) to Skacoustic (2010)John Christianson2004–presentall releases from We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy (2005) onwardsDerek Gibbs2007–presentall releases from Fame, Fortune and Fornication (2009) onwardsMatt Appleton2011–presentEd "Smokey Beach" Larsen2014–presentLife Sucks... Let's Dance! (2018)

Former ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsMatt Wong1991–2007all releases from Reel Big Fish (1992) to Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free (2007)Andrew Gonzales1991–1999all releases from Reel Big Fish (1992) to Sold Out E.P. (2002)Ben Guzman1991–1993lead vocalsReel Big Fish (1992)Lisa Smithrhythm guitarZach GilltrapEric Vismantas1992–1994 trumpetReel Big Fish (1994)Stephan Reed1993–1994saxophoneTavis Werts1994–2001all releases from Buy This! (1994) to Cheer Up! (2002)Adam Polakoff1994–1995saxophoneRobert QuimbytromboneGrant Barry1995–1999all releases from Turn the Radio Off (1996) to Sold Out E.P. (2002)Carlos de la Garza1999–2003Tyler Jones2001–2004 trumpetJustin Ferreira2003–2005We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy (2005)Ryland Steen2005–2014all releases from Our Live Album Is Better Than Your Live Album (2006) to Life Sucks... Let's Dance! (2018)Billy Kottage2013–2019

Touring ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsNotesJames Valentinelead guitarValentine took over guitar duties when Barrett injured his hand in 2000, and again in 2001 when Barrett fell down the stairs.Chris RhodestromboneRhodes played on the 2002 Warped Tour. Michael SopranoSoprano played on the 2008 Warped Tour. Brian Robertson2019–2020Robertson played trombone following the departure of Billy Kottage.

Timeline

Lineups PeriodMembersReleasesDecember 1991 – 1992Ben Guzman – lead vocals Aaron Barrett – lead guitar, backing vocals Lisa Smith – rhythm guitar Matt Wong – bass, backing vocals Zach Gilltrap – keyboards, synthesizers Andrew Gonzales – drums, percussionReel Big Fish (1992)1993Ben Guzman – lead vocals Aaron Barrett – lead guitar, backing vocals Lisa Smith – rhythm guitar Matt Wong – bass, backing vocals Andrew Gonzales – drums, percussion Eric Vismantas – trumpet1993–1994Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong – bass, backing vocals Andrew Gonzales – drums, percussion Eric Vismantas – trumpet Stephan Reed – saxophoneReel Big Fish (1994)1994Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong – bass, backing vocals Andrew Gonzales – drums, percussion Tavis Werts – trumpet, flugelhorn Dan Regan – trombone, backing vocals Adam Polakoff – saxophoneBuy This! (1994)1994–1995Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong – bass, backing vocals Andrew Gonzales – drums, percussion Tavis Werts – trumpet, flugelhorn Dan Regan – trombone, backing vocals Robert Quimby – trombone Adam Polakoff – saxophoneEverything Sucks (1995) Keep Your Receipt (1997) 1995 – February 1999Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong – bass, backing vocals Andrew Gonzales – drums, percussion Tavis Werts – trumpet, flugelhorn Scott Klopfenstein – trumpet, vocals, keyboards Dan Regan – trombone, backing vocals Grant Barry – trombone, backing vocalsTurn the Radio Off (1996) Keep Your Receipt (1997) Why Do They Rock So Hard? (1998) Sold Out E.P. (2002) February – March 1999Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong – bass, backing vocals Carlos de la Garza – drums, percussion Tavis Werts – trumpet, flugelhorn Scott Klopfenstein – trumpet, vocals Dan Regan – trombone, backing vocals Grant Barry – trombone, backing vocalsMarch 1999 – October 2001Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong – bass, backing vocals Carlos de la Garza – drums, percussion Tavis Werts – trumpet, flugelhorn Scott Klopfenstein – trumpet, vocals, guitar, keyboards Dan Regan – trombone, backing vocalsSold Out E.P. (2002) Cheer Up! (2002) November 2001 – summer 2003Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong – bass, backing vocals Carlos de la Garza – drums, percussion Scott Klopfenstein – trumpet, vocals, guitar, keyboards Tyler Jones – trumpet, flugelhorn Dan Regan – trombone, backing vocalsCheer Up! (2002) Live at the House of Blues (2003)Summer 2003 – September 2004Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong – bass, backing vocals Justin Ferreira – drums, percussion Scott Klopfenstein – trumpet, vocals, guitar, keyboards Tyler Jones – trumpet, flugelhorn Dan Regan – trombone, backing vocalsSeptember 2004 – February 2005Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong – bass, backing vocals Justin Ferreira – drums, percussion Scott Klopfenstein – trumpet, vocals, guitar, keyboards John Christianson – trumpet, backing vocals Dan Regan – trombone, backing vocalsWe're Not Happy 'til You're NotHappy (2005)February 2005 – June 2007Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar Matt Wong – bass, backing vocals Ryland Steen – drums, percussion, backing vocals Scott Klopfenstein – trumpet, vocals, guitar, keyboards John Christianson – trumpet, backing vocals Dan Regan – trombone, backing vocalsOur Live Album Is Better Than YourLive Album (2006) Duet All Night (2007) Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimpsfor Free (2007)June 2007 – January 2011Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar Derek Gibbs – bass, backing vocals Ryland Steen – drums, percussion, backing vocals Scott Klopfenstein – trumpet, vocals, guitar, keyboards John Christianson – trumpet, backing vocals Dan Regan – trombone, backing vocalsFame, Fortune and Fornication (2009) Live! In Concert! (2009) A Best of Us... for the Rest of Us (2010) Skacoustic (2010)January 2011 – October 2013Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards Derek Gibbs – bass, backing vocals Ryland Steen – drums, percussion, backing vocals John Christianson – trumpet, backing vocals Dan Regan – trombone, backing vocals Matt Appleton – saxophone, keyboards, vocalsCandy Coated Fury (2012)October 2013 – July 2014Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards Derek Gibbs – bass, backing vocals Ryland Steen – drums, percussion, backing vocals John Christianson – trumpet, backing vocals Billy Kottage – trombone, keyboards, backing vocals Matt Appleton – saxophone, keyboards, vocalsHappy Skalidays (2014)July 2014 – April 2019Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards Derek Gibbs – bass, backing vocals Ed "Smokey Beach" Larsen – drums, percussion John Christianson – trumpet, backing vocals Billy Kottage – trombone, keyboards, backing vocals Matt Appleton – saxophone, keyboards, vocalsLife Sucks... Let's Dance! (2018)June 2019 – July 2024Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards Derek Gibbs – bass, backing vocals Ed "Smokey Beach" Larsen – drums, percussion John Christianson – trumpet, backing vocals Matt Appleton – saxophone, keyboards, vocalsJuly 2024 - April 2026Aaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards Derek Gibbs – bass, backing vocals Ed "Smokey Beach" Larsen – drums, percussion John Christianson – trumpet, backing vocals Matt Appleton – saxophone, keyboards, vocals Dan Regan - tromboneApril 2026 – presentAaron Barrett – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards Derek Gibbs – bass, backing vocals Ed "Smokey Beach" Larsen – drums, percussion John Christianson – trumpet, backing vocals Matt Appleton – saxophone, keyboards, vocals Dan Regan - trombone, backing vocals Scott Klopfenstein - trumpet, vocals, guitar

References

External links Reel Big Fish official website