The fickle masses turned on ska-punk almost immediately after adopting the bright, horn-heavy party music, and most of the former high-school band geeks went running for the hills, trombones clattering to the pavement, never to be heard from again. More than almost any other band from the short-lived ’90s popularity peak of the American ska scene, Reel Big Fish embodied the seemingly cast-off elements of the genre. In fact, their sound was pretty much defined by bright, poppy melodies, goofball antics and hook-as-bible songwriting. Nobody took them very seriously, least of all themselves. Still, it’s nearly impossible to listen to a song like “Sell Out” or “She Has a Girlfriend Now” with their blend of incessantly singable melodies and snarky, self-effacing lyrics, and even dream of turning the radio off. The English Beat and the Supervillians open at 8 p.m. at the House of Blues (308 Euclid Ave., 216.523.2583). Tickets: $22-$25. — Hall
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