We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy
Studio album by
Reel Big Fish
ReleasedApril 5, 2005
Recorded2004
StudioWorld Class Audio, Anaheim, CA
GenreSka punk
Length59:40
Label
ProducerAaron Barrett
Reel Big Fish chronology
Cheer Up!
(2002)		 We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy
(2005)		 Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free
(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][16] 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".[17] A UK leg of the tour followed without Goldfinger, running into February 2006.[15] 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

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[23]
IGN7.3/10[24]
Now2/5[25]
PopMatters6/10[26]
Punknews.org[27]

AllMusic described the album's songs as "angry" and "embittered", but also deemed the album as "super catchy".[23]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Aaron Barrett, except where noted

We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy standard edition track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Fire"Barrett, Dan Regan3:05
2."Drinkin'" 3:25
3."Don't Start a Band" 3:18
4."A-W-E-S-O-M-E" 3:32
5."We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" (Morrissey cover)Morrissey, Alain Whyte2:23
6."Turn the Radio Off"Barrett, Regan2:38
7."Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" (Tracy Chapman cover)Tracy Chapman3:24
8."The Bad Guy"Barrett, Regan, Matt Wong, Scott Klopfenstein3:31
9."Story of My Life" (Social Distortion cover)Mike Ness4:10
10."The Joke's on Me" 3:49
11."One Hit Wonderful" 4:18
12."Last Show"Barrett, Klopfenstein3:02
13."Say Goodbye" 4:08
14."Your Guts (I Hate 'Em)" (ends at 2:06; includes hidden track "You're Gonna Die") 14:57
Total length:59:40
Japanese bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
15."Beer" (new version of song from Turn the Radio Off)3:53
16."Way Back" (includes hidden track "You're Gonna Die")15:27
Total length:66:21

Personnel

Reel Big Fish
Additional musicians
Production

References

  1. ↑ White, Adam (February 21, 2004). "Reel Big Fish UK dates / recording in May". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  2. ↑ Paul, Aubin (April 18, 2004). "Reel Big Fish Touring this Summer". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  3. ↑ White, Adam (September 14, 2004). "Reel Big Fish recording / part ways with Tyler Jones". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Paul, Aubin (October 19, 2004). "Reel Big Fish Updates". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  5. 1 2 Paul, Aubin (February 2, 2005). "Reel Big Fish sets a date". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  6. ↑ Paul, Aubin (March 18, 2005). "Reel Big Fish posts new track". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  7. ↑ Paul, Aubin (May 12, 2005). "Reel Big Fish announce June touring plans". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  8. ↑ Paul, Aubin (June 1, 2005). "Reel Big Fish headed out on international tour". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  9. ↑ Paul, Aubin (June 29, 2005). "Catch 22 added to Reel Big Fish Coast-To-Coast Roast Tour". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  10. ↑ Paul, Aubin (August 22, 2005). "Reel Big Fish adds more international dates, shooting video". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  11. ↑ Paul, Aubin (September 22, 2005). "Reel Big Fish post video for 'Don't Start a Band'". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  12. ↑ Paul, Aubin (September 30, 2005). "Reel Big Fish's Scott Klopfenstein hospitalized". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  13. ↑ Paul, Aubin (October 26, 2005). "Reel Big Fish announces November dates". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  14. ↑ Paul, Aubin (November 23, 2005). "Reel Big Fish back on the road in January; Scott Klopfenstein recovers". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  15. 1 2 Paul, Aubin (December 14, 2005). "Reel Big Fish / Goldfinger to co-headline Deep Freeze Tour". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  16. ↑ Paul, Aubin (January 1, 2006). "Bottom Line added to Reel Big Fish & Goldfinger tour". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  17. ↑ Paul, Aubin (January 13, 2006). "Reel Big Fish parts ways with Jive Records". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  18. ↑ Paul, Aubin (February 7, 2006). "Reel Big Fish's Scott Klopfenstein leaves European tour". Punknews.org. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  19. ↑ Paul, Aubin (January 24, 2006). "International Ska Circus to include Skatalies, Reel Big Fish, Toasters, Fishbone, Voodoo Glowskulls". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  20. ↑ Paul, Aubin (May 15, 2006). "Reel Big Fish / MxPx / Streetlight Manifesto / Whole Wheat Bread / Transition". Punknews.org. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  21. ↑ Paul, Aubin (May 17, 2006). "Reel Big Fish plans 3-disc live release". Punknews.org. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  22. ↑ Paul, Aubin (September 21, 2006). "Reel Big Fish / Streetlight Manifesto / Suburban Legends / Westbound Train". Punknews.org. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  23. 1 2 Loftus, Johnny. "We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy - Reel Big Fish". AllMusic. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  24. ↑ JR (April 19, 2005). "Reel Big Fish - We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy". IGN. Archived from the original on January 9, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  25. ↑ Raynor, Brent (March 31, 2006). "We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy". Now. Archived from the original on November 26, 2005. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  26. ↑ Schabe, Patrick (May 25, 2005). "Reel Big Fish: We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy". PopMatters. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  27. ↑ Heisel, Scott (April 5, 2002). "Reel Big Fish - We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
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