This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Live Reviews
Live Review: Reel Big Fish at Koko in London on 28 Jan
By CMU Editorial | Published on Thursday 4 February 2010
Now, ska punk isn’t really my thing; it being something that most people seem to grow out of when they are about seventeen. However, encouraged by a friend who enthused that this lot are more than just a bunch of chancers, I headed down to London’s Koko to find out for myself.
It was a pretty young crowd, but everyone seemed to be massive fans and there was no self-consciousness or irony on display. These guys just love their ska punk and it didn’t take long to understand the appeal of a show that was designed for fun and entertainment, with never a moment where the band took themselves seriously. Coming out to the strains of ‘Superman March’ and hammering through some high tempo tunes, they never really let up throughout.
Not being particularly up to speed with the oeuvre, it was the cover versions that stood out for me, taking ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ in a spiky direction, sending A-ha running for cover and even rocking out Metallica at one point. The exuberance on stage spilled over into the moshpit and for the encore the stage was about as full as you can imagine with support acts, crew and other randoms joining in the madness.
They also took apart one of their songs and played it in several different styles, just to show that they are actually very competent musicians, from country to old school rap they did a convincing job. I’m not sure I’m converted entirely but as far as a live experience goes it certainly beat another dull indie band mumbling into the microphone. IM
Buy from iTunes
Buy from Amazon
