Reel Big Fish have parted ways with Jive Records. A band statement reads: “Orange County’s Reel Big Fish is officially off the Jive Records roster and that’s just fine with them. After four years and two full-length albums (We’re Not Happy ‘Til You’re Not Happy and Cheer Up!; not including a release from front man Aaron Barret and RBF Trumpeter John Christianson’s side project The Forces of Evil) the two have just parted ways. Reel Big Fish can now pursue more daring opportunities that didn’t fit into the corporate scheme of things and Jive will continue to search for the next big boy-band. Never ones to wallow in self-pity (who are we kidding?) the long running ska-punk act is genuinely excited about what the future holds as they are now free to embrace the DIY ethic that has always been a part of Reel Big Fish but was suppressed thanks to major label politics. Over the years the band has picked up a few tricks and enlisted help from various industry notables rather than relying on the standard record label infrastructure. “The traditional major label business model is a dinosaur whose feet are already covered in tar,” points out band manager Vince Pileggi. Adding, “We have already been in touch with numerous labels and are actively considering aggressive deals that we hope will be the new industry standard.”
