Streetlight Manifesto and Reel Big Fish Show Preview: at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA on July 14, 2011

If you've ever had a conversation with anyone about modern Ska music, chances are that these two groups were mentioned somehow: Reel Big Fish and Streetlight Manifesto. By the request of many fans, both of these highly renown Ska-punk bands decided to collaborate and embark on a nationwide tour happening this summer, causing pandemonium among devotees everywhere.Although they’ve toured together before back in 2007, their fan base has only grown since then, meaning old and new supporters will be lined up to prove that Ska-punk music is alive and well in the US.

Orange County natives Reel Big Fish entered the Ska-punk scene during their mainstream heydey in the 90’s, joining the ranks of bands such as Sublime and No Doubt. They gained popularity via MTV and radio with their hit “Sell Out” in 1997, along with their cover of a-Ha’s “Take on Me” featured in the film “Basketball”. Since then, they’ve given fans humorous and juvenile tunes, their covers of popular new wave and pop songs like “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Kiss Me Deadly”, and their energetic live shows that are known for selling out small and large venues alike. Earlier this year, longtime and beloved member Scott Klopfenstein shocked and saddened fans by leaving the band, with Matt Appleton of Goldfinger permanently replacing him; this makes him the first saxophone player in Reel Big Fish in 16 years, ensuring a fresh and interesting performance for this tour.

On a completely different side of the country and timeframe from Reel Big Fish, Streetlight Manifesto began in 2003 in New Jersey. Formed from the acclaimed Ska-punk groups and One Cool Guy Catch 22, Streetlight picked up right where they left off. With their critically acclaimed album “Everything Went Numb”, people with various music tastes everywhere became hooked to their infectious and dynamic tunes. While this album is most widely known and a fan favorite, the band continued to release new material that still had the ability to please fans and critics alike, including their cover album “99 Songs of Revolution”. Although they haven’t been around as long as some of the bands in the Ska scene, they’ve proved to constantly impact their contemporaries due to their diverse musical styles.

Among other similarities, such as having a full horn section in each group, both Reel Big Fish and Streetlight Manifesto will bring a first-rate performance for what is sure to be a sold out crowd in both Los Angeles and Anaheim. Whether you’ve only heard “Sell Out” or “Everything Went Numb”, or you’ve been a loyal fan since the beginning, be sure to put on your dancing shoes and come skank the night away with two of the genre's best; it’s bound to be one of the highlights of your summer.

 

-Sarah K-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

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