Reel Big Fish - Sell Out

What this video is

Released in August 1996 on Mojo Records as the lead single from 'Turn the Radio Off,' 'Sell Out' arrived at the apex of third-wave ska's commercial breakthrough. The song was written by Aaron Barrett and Scott Klopfenstein and was originally conceived in defense of ska bands signing to major labels — a contentious act in mid-90s underground circles. It was Mojo Records' deliberate, irony-laden choice to lead with a…

Why it matters

A canonical artifact of third-wave ska's mainstream moment, 'Sell Out' is considered by many the genre's most commercially successful single outside of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. The video's satirical self-awareness — a band literally dramatizing commodification while being commodified — made it…

The director

American music video director based in San Francisco/Berkeley area. Founded production company Fire Ball Films. Studied fine art photography and business at San Francisco State University. Worked as a lighting camera assistant on The Nightmare Before…