If there was any doubt that ska music is still popular, it was promptly erased by the size of the crowd at Missoula, Montana’s The Wilma for the latest visit from Reel Big Fish and their opening acts, Bikini Trill and MEST. Thanks to Logjam Presents, the cold northwest had a taste of the blazing California sun with the energy presented by these three bands.
We recently reviewed Life Sucks . . . Let’s Dance, the brand new album from Reel Big Fish, their first new album in six years. Our dear friend John Avila, who was the bassist for Oingo Boingo, introduced us to the band when we toured his studio a few years back. He had produced Why do They Rock so Hard?, which earned a Gold Record. Despite knowing that they had to be good, we were unprepared for the ridiculous amount of energy they emanate from stage. Thanks to Mike Cubillos of Earshot Media for securing All Access passes for us to meet them and enjoy the concert, and to Tom Ames, the tour manager for Reel Big Fish for being such an excellent host.
The first band to take the stage was Los Angeles trio Bikini Trill, who bear a striking resemblance to the sound of No Doubt. The band mixes electronic percussive tracks to back the guitar/bass work of Tony and Roach, which perfectly support the soaring vocals of LJ. While not technically a ska band, their brand of surf and indie rock and hip-hop meshed perfectly with the bands that followed.
Bikini Trill was highly energetic and got the audience involved from the first song. They kept them involved with a set filled with great songs, of which weed seemed to be the featured subject.
Next up was MEST, featuring the amazing guitar and lead vocals of Tony Lovato. MEST has been on our radar for awhile. We first reviewed them back in December 2017, when Lovato released an acoustic album of the band’s tunes called Broken Down II. That release earned him and the band an LA Music Critic Award for Best Folk Band for the second half of 2017.
MEST is from Chicago, where they released several records for Maverick Records before disbanding in 2006. Lovato resurrected the band in 2013 with the release of Not What You Expected, followed by his pair of acoustic albums, Broken Down I and II. While their sound is more punk than ska, they still have enough of that ska feel to make them the perfect opening band for Reel Big Fish.
It was obvious from their first song that the audience was familiar with their songs, and loved their energy. They even played “2000 Miles” on the spot when a fan requested it. Their music is highly contagious, and speaks out against addictions and the oft-times unfairness of life. The harmonies were incredible and sweet, while the drums and bass set the perfect foundation for the band’s sound. They truly brought it on two of their most powerful songs: “Jaded (These Years)” and “Mother’s Prayer.”
Towards the end of their set we went down to the green room where we had the chance to meet the members of Reel Big Fish and spend some time talking to them before they took the stage. They were even kind enough to sign our tour poster.
Led by the stellar vocals and guitar of Aaron Barrett, the amazing horns of Billy Kottage (trombone), John Christianson (Johnny Christmas) (trumpet) and Matt Appleton (saxophone) and the perfect rhythm section of Ed Smokey Beach (drums) and Derek Gibbs (bass), Reel Big Fish is the real deal.
Reel Big Fish kicked off their set with an amazing ska cover of the 80s megahit “Take on Me.” All three members of the horn section contributed backing vocals, and created incredible harmonies with Barrett. There was such amazing chemistry on stage that it whipped the crowd into a frenzy. If you could harness that energy we would be able to power the world. The crowd especially loved the title track to the new album, and were jumping for joy at every song they played, which covered their 20 years as a band.
If you ever have the chance to see them perform in concert, we highly recommend you take the opportunity. You will be so glad you did. We can’t wait for the next time they come to town.