Ask any serious music fan what it was that originally got them so into music. Chances are good that they will not tell you about a single they heard on the radio, or some rogue video that happened to come across their radar. It is much more likely that they will tell you an exciting tale about their first concert, or a live performance that shook them to the core and suddenly opened their eyes to a whole new world. There is no studio equipment that can be purchased or magical marketing wand that can be waved that will ever portray a band as honestly or organically as their live performance. The live performance is, in the end, the only truth in music.

Reel Big Fish recently released ‘Our Live Album is Better Than Your Live Album,’ a 3-disc set recorded live during their Deep Freeze tour earlier this year. With a career spanning over a decade, but only producing one mainstream hit, Reel Big Fish prove themselves to be one of the most underrated bands of our generation. While ‘Sell Out’ managed to receive airplay in the mid 90s at the height of campy alternative and a short lived ska resurgence, the band had better success through soundtracks than typical mainstream outlets. Despite being practically ignored by the music industry, Reel Big Fish captivated a hardcore legion of fans, enamored by their unique brand of hilarious horn-infused pop punk.

The 35 track double disc contains Reel Big Fish fan favorites like ‘Beer,’ ‘Trendy,’ ‘Turn The Radio Off’ and more, as well as the covers RBF has become well-known for like A-Ha’s ‘Take On Me,’ ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ from The Cure and Tracy Chapman’s ‘Talkin Bout A Revolution.’ The stand-out track on this live performance has to be ‘Suburban Rhythm,’ where the band delves into over 6 different versions of the songs in an impressively intricate medley. Also included in this package is a live DVD with 20 tracks from a show in their hometown of Orange County, CA. They play many of the songs found on the double disc but also include guest appearances with Zolof The Rock and Roll Destroyer’s Rachel Minton lending vocals on ‘She Has A Girlfriend Now,’ and Ali Tabatabaee from Zebrahead rapping on their cover of Operation Ivy’s ‘Unity.’ The DVD also includes bonus footage from a rehearsal, as well as a special ‘Aaron and Scott Unplugged’ feature, which is absolutely hysterical.

Reel Big Fish hit it out of the park with this release. Their live shows are what have made them so great over the years, and finally it is available for those who already know, and those who don’t. If you enjoy entertaining, high energy live performances but can’t stand other people’s body odor and venues packed with sweaty teenagers, then definitely purchase this 3-disc set (which can be found for under $15…that’s a deal!). You get all of the awesome things about a killer liver performance without the pesky social interaction.

Album available on Rock Ridge Music