The Observer, October 14, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 7
Reel Big Fish caught by UPB to play fall concert
A ska band will be appearing as the headliner for the Fall Concert at Case for the first time when Reel Big Fish plays on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. The punk and ska band will be performing with special guest Stop Laughing at the Adelbert Gym, courtesy of the concert gurus over at UPB.
UPB chose to feature Reel Big Fish this fall because of the huge ska following on campus and the energetic shows they put on. "Stop Laughing has a strong following on campus, which convinced us that the students would be psyched for ska," said UPB executive member Denise Cook. The annual Fall Concert has never presented a punk or ska band, but this year, students should be prepared for an amazing experience.
Ska shows are always wildly entertaining with great dancing, music, and high-energy crowds. According to Cook, "Both Reel Big Fish and Stop Laughing deliver crazy live shows, full of high energy stage antics and lots of crowd participation." Get psyched: the concert will definitely be the party of the semester.
During previous concerts, Reel Big Fish has delivered crazy stage antics, attempting to get the crowd involved. The crowds themselves throw all cares to the wind and engage in a particular dance unique to ska: skanking. Freshman Katie Kirkpatrick enthuses, a follower of Reel Big Fish, "the concerts are amazing. Everyone is there to have a good time. You can dance like a complete fool and no one will care." Great: all the ingredients are there that Case students need to have a fantastic evening.
First popular during the late nineties, Reel Big Fish are best known for their cover songs of classics such as Aha's "Take on Me" and The Cure's "Boys Don't Cry." They began in an underground music scene, releasing their first album Everything Sucks. The feedback they received from the album led them to their first record contract with Mojo Records and their second album, Turn the Radio Off. Their debut on MTV came with the rising popularity of the single "Sell Out." However, much of the popularity of ska died out shortly after that. After several band member changes, including some rotating band members, the group finally released another album, Cheer Up, in 2002 and just released We're Not Happy Until You're Not Happy in April of 2005.
The tickets for Reel Big Fish will be available at minimum cost for members of the Case community: $5 for undergraduates, $10 for graduates, faculty and staff, and $20 for the public. Ticket sales began on Oct. 10 in Leutner and will continue until the tickets run out. The schedule for the ticket sales is as follows:
· Leutner and Fribley: Monday-Friday, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
· Nord and Thwing: Tuesday 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m.; Thursday Provost Hour, and Friday Community Hour 12:30 – 2 p.m.
· The Spot: Wednesday from 6 - 10p.m.
If past Fall Concerts are any indication of what to expect, Case students are in for a fantastic night. With an extremely engaging band and active crowd participation, the night will certainly be one to remember. Reel Big Fish promises to deliver one crazy night with which no other band can compete.
