Reel Big Fish brightened the holiday season by playing a midweek show at The Republik, in Honolulu, Hawaii. The legendary ska band arrived in Hawaii from Australia where they had blasted through five shows in five days. The show at The Republik would conclude the 2019 portion of their “Life Sucks….Let’s Dance” tour.
Bands such as Reel Big Fish, Sublime, and No Doubt gained strong underground following in Hawaii before becoming nationally known. In the band’s early years they would play two or three times a year at various venues. Since then the band has never forgotten their early success here. Although there has been over a dozen lineup changes, the band led by Aaron Barrett continues to put on hyperkinetic shows.
A Reel Big Fish show is a guaranteed good time and Honolulu was no different. The Hawaiian shirt clad Barrett got the whole room dancing right from the get go. “Pissed Off” was quickly followed by the punchy combo of “Trendy” and “Everything Sucks.” The set was a blend of new material and songs the band have been playing for years. The band showed that at almost thirty years old they’re still capable of entertaining at a high level. Highlights include their hit “Sell Out," “I Want Your Girlfriend To Be My Girlfriend Too,” and the cover of Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl.” The addition of Julie Stoyer’s vocals on “She Has a Girlfriend Now” added an extra spark to an amazing performance. The evening wrapped up with a three song encore concluding with the lively and lighthearted “Beer.”
The fans in attendance were treated to an upbeat and tight performance. The band maintained its reputation, that Reel Big Fish are still the best modern day ska band and one of today’s happiest live experiences!
Pissed Off / Trendy / Everything Sucks / Ska Show / Sell Out / In The Pit / Life Sucks…Lets Dance / I Want Your Girlfriend To Be My Girlfriend Too / Good Thing / Your Guts I Hate ‘Em / Brown Eyes Girl / She Has A Girlfriend Now / You Can’t Havel All Of Me / Take Me ON / E. Everyone Else Is An asshole / Where Have You Been / Beer