We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy explained

We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy
Type:studio
Artist:Reel Big Fish
Cover:Reel Big Fish - We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy cover.jpg
Released:April 5, 2005
Recorded:2004
Studio:World Class Audio, Anaheim, CA
Genre:Ska punk
Length:59:40
Producer:Aaron Barrett
Prev Title:Cheer Up!
Prev Year:2002
Next Title:Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free
Next Year:2007

We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy is the fifth studio album by ska punk band Reel Big Fish. It was released on April 5, 2005 on Mojo Records to mixed reviews.

Background and production

In February 2004, the band finished pre-production for their next album. Following this, they embarked on a tour of Europe, which lasted in March. In May 2004, they planned recording their next album.[1] In June and July 2004, the band went on a North American tour, with Catch 22, Rx Bandits, Lucky Boys Confusion, Big D and the Kids Table.[2] Recording ultimately began in September 2004; around this time trumpeter Tyler Jones left the band.[3] Jones' role was fulfilled by John Christianson, who worked with frontman Aaron Barrett in the Forces of Evil. Recording wrapped up in October 2004.[4]

Music

Notably darker than the band's previous album, Cheer Up!, the album's songs commonly express jealousy, regret, short-lasting fame, and disappointment toward mainstream record companies.The album also includes covers of Tracy Chapman's "Talkin' Bout a Revolution", Morrissey's "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" and Social Distortion's "Story of My Life". Both the Chapman cover and the Social Distortion cover were respectively chosen as the first and second singles.

Release

In November 2004, Reel Big Fish went on a West Coast US tour; the members spent the Christmas period working on side projects.[4] On February 2, 2005, We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy was announced for release in two months' time. They embarked on a co-headlining tour with Bowling for Soup.[5] "The Fire" was posted on the band's Myspace profile on March 18, 2005 ahead of the album.[6] We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy was released on April 5, 2005 through Jive Records.[5] In June 2005, they toured Europe, and then went on a US tour with American Hi-Fi, Punchline and Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer between June and August 2005.[7] [8] American Hi-Fi dropped off the tour and were replaced by Catch 22 from the July 17 date, as Barrett explains: "[American Hi-Fi] weren't being received very well by the ska kids, and because they were pretty burnt out from being on tour for a year and a half non-stop".[9]

In late August 2005, they filmed a music video for "Don't Start a Band" with director Jonathan London. The following month, the band went on a month-long tour of the UK with the Matches, Skindred and My Awesome Compilation. They toured across New Zealand and Australia with Goldfinger and the Matches, leading up to a one-off show in Hawaii.[10] On September 22, 2005, the "Don't Start a Band" video was posted online.[11] While in New Zealand, trumpeter Scott Klopfenstein was hospitalized due to what the band referred to as "abnormal fatigue"; the rest of the band continued their scheduled performances.[12] They went on a brief East Coast US tour with the Tossers and Transition.[13] Reel Big Fish closed the year with a New Year's Eve show in Costa Mesa, California, with Klopfenstein back in the band.[14]

Reel Big Fish opened 2006 with a co-headlining West Coast US tour with Goldfinger, dubbed the Deep Freeze Tour; they were supported by Zebrahead and Bottom Line.[15] On January 13, 2006, the band announced they left Jive Records, with their manager Vince Pileggi explaining that the "traditional major label business model is a dinosaur whose feet are already covered in tar".[16] A UK leg of the tour followed without Goldfinger, running into February 2006.[17] Klopfenstein had to be flown home due to his previous illness flaring up as the rest of the band continued on a tour of mainland Europe.[18] In March 2006, the band performed at The International Ska Circus festival.[19] In July and August 2006, the band embarked on a headlining US tour, with support from MxPx, Streetlight Manifesto, Transition, and Whole Wheat Bread.[20] In the midst of this, the band released the live album Our Live Album Is Better Than Your Live Album, which was recorded across several shows.[21] Between October and December 2006, the band toured across the US with support from Streetlight Manifesto, Suburban Legends, and Westbound Train.[22]

Reception

AllMusic described the album's songs as "angry" and "embittered", but also deemed the album as "super catchy".

Personnel

Reel Big Fish
Additional musicians
Production

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Reel Big Fish UK dates / recording in May. Punknews.org. White, Adam. February 21, 2004. March 23, 2021.
  2. Web site: Reel Big Fish Touring this Summer. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. April 18, 2004. March 28, 2021.
  3. Web site: Reel Big Fish recording / part ways with Tyler Jones. Punknews.org. White, Adam. September 14, 2004. October 28, 2021.
  4. Web site: Reel Big Fish Updates. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. October 19, 2004. October 28, 2021.
  5. Web site: Reel Big Fish sets a date. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. February 2, 2005. October 30, 2021.
  6. Web site: Reel Big Fish posts new track. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. March 18, 2005. October 30, 2021.
  7. Web site: Reel Big Fish announce June touring plans. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. May 12, 2005. October 31, 2021.
  8. Web site: Reel Big Fish headed out on international tour. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. June 1, 2005. October 31, 2021.
  9. Web site: Catch 22 added to Reel Big Fish Coast-To-Coast Roast Tour. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. June 29, 2005. November 1, 2021.
  10. Web site: Reel Big Fish adds more international dates, shooting video. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. August 22, 2005. November 8, 2021.
  11. Web site: Reel Big Fish post video for 'Don't Start a Band'. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. September 22, 2005. November 20, 2021.
  12. Web site: Reel Big Fish's Scott Klopfenstein hospitalized. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. September 30, 2005. November 22, 2021.
  13. Web site: Reel Big Fish announces November dates. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. October 26, 2005. November 22, 2021.
  14. Web site: Reel Big Fish back on the road in January; Scott Klopfenstein recovers. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. November 23, 2005. November 22, 2021.
  15. Web site: Bottom Line added to Reel Big Fish & Goldfinger tour. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. January 1, 2006. November 22, 2021.
  16. Web site: Reel Big Fish parts ways with Jive Records. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. January 13, 2006. November 22, 2021.
  17. Web site: Reel Big Fish / Goldfinger to co-headline Deep Freeze Tour. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. December 14, 2005. November 22, 2021.
  18. Web site: Reel Big Fish's Scott Klopfenstein leaves European tour. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. February 7, 2006. December 17, 2021.
  19. Web site: International Ska Circus to include Skatalies, Reel Big Fish, Toasters, Fishbone, Voodoo Glowskulls. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. January 24, 2006. November 23, 2021.
  20. Web site: Reel Big Fish / MxPx / Streetlight Manifesto / Whole Wheat Bread / Transition. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. May 15, 2006. January 24, 2022.
  21. Web site: Reel Big Fish plans 3-disc live release. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. May 17, 2006. January 24, 2022.
  22. Web site: Reel Big Fish / Streetlight Manifesto / Suburban Legends / Westbound Train. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. September 21, 2006. January 31, 2022.

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