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In May 2000, the band began recording their next album with producer Val Garay, with the aiming of releasing it in early 2001.[5] The band were reported finishing up the album by July 2000;[6] however, the band was still working on the album in November 2000.[7] By December, they were reportedly in the mixing process.[8] On November 7, 2001, Tyler Jones of Spring Heeled Jack joined the band, replacing trumpeter Tavis Werts.[9] In February 2002, the band were recording cover versions of some songs, such as "Boss DJ" by Sublime, in Hollywood, California.[10]
Music and lyrics[]
It is a slight departure from the band's other releases, veering toward more of a rock sound as opposed to ska, especially on the first five tracks, where nary a syncopated drum beat or upstroke on the guitar is heard. Nevertheless, the album is a continuation of the band's longstanding tradition of putting self-loathing lyrics to upbeat music. The album also shows Reel Big Fish expanding their musical styles past the pop-rock sound, as it contains an a cappella cover of Frank Sinatra's classic "New York, New York" as well as a cover of Sublime's "Boss DJ". Additionally, the track "Drunk Again" and the international bonus track "Average Man" are sung by Reel Big Fish trumpeter-guitarist-pianist-vocalist Scott Klopfenstein. Both songs have a style differing from the traditional Reel Big Fish sound, and the former song was later performed by Klopfenstein's side project The Littlest Man Band. The band later stated, perhaps jokingly, that the song was accidentally put on the album and was intended to have been on a Littlest Man Band album instead.[citation needed] The CD cover art of the evil clown for this album was drawn by Aaron Barrett's father.
Release[]
As a stop-gap release, Favorite Noise, a compilation of songs from their preceding albums, was released in Europe in March 2002.[11] On April 5, 2002, Cheer Up! was announced for release in two months' time.[12] On May 7, 2002, the band filmed a music video for "Where Have You Been".[13]Cheer Up! was released on June 11, 2002.[12] Between late June and mid-August, the group went on the 2002 edition of Warped Tour.[14] In September and October 2002, the band embarked on a headlining US tour, with support from the Starting Line and the Kicks.[15] The hornless single, "Where Have You Been?", was a moderate success in 2002, helping album sales.
In January and February 2003, the band went on a European tour with Sugarcult and the Starting Line; Reel Big Fish were joined by Chris Rhodes of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones for the trek.[16] In April and May 2003, the band headlined Skate and Surf Fest,[17] and appeared at Download Festival.[18] On June 14, 2003, drummer Carlos De La Garza left the band and was replaced by Justin Ferreria, who previously played with Barrett in the Forces of Evil.[19] Between June and August, the band embarked on a headlining North American tour, with support from Zebrahead, Wakefield, the Matches, Gob, and Riddlin' Kids.[18][19] One show of the tour was filmed as part of the The Show Must Go Off! series.[20] At the end of August, the band appeared at the Terremoto Festival.[21]
Track listing[]
All songs written and arranged by Reel Big Fish (A. Barrett, C. de la Garza, S. Klopfenstein, D. Regan, and M. Wong) except as noted.
Val Garay - producer and engineer (tracks 1-6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16)
Notes[]
The webseries "High Score", the precursor to the popular webseries "Bonus Stage", used a truncated version of "A Little Doubt Goes a Long Way" as its opening theme.
Similarly, the "Give It to Me" cover was used as the theme for web cartoon Waterman, which later led to a collaboration between the band and the cartoon for Waterman's eighth episode.
On the commentary for Reel Big Fish's The Show Must Go Off! DVD, Aaron Barrett says that the song "Valerie" is, contrary to popular belief, not about a girl, but is in fact about the album's producer, Val Garay.
Aaron Barrett is quoted on You're All In This Together (the concert DVD included with Our Live Album Is Better than Your Live Album) as saying that he was asked indirectly by the president of Jive as to why "all of his songs were so depressing." In response to this statement, Aaron claims he went into the president's office and played a version of "Cheer Up", replacing all negative words with positive words; "I've got a funny feeling, we're not born to lose, and I've got a funny feeling that this life is worth living through!" Apparently, the president said he understood why the songs were so pessimistic.
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