Scott Klopfenstein

Scott Klopfenstein is the former trumpeter, backup vocalist, and backup guitarist of Reel Big Fish. Besides Aaron Barrett, Scott is arguably the most well-known member of the band. Klopfenstein joined the band in 1995. After touring for years, he left the band in 2010.

Scott now primarily focuses on his own projects.

## **History with Reel Big Fish**

Scott Klopfenstein joined Reel Big Fish as a fill in for the band's ever-changing horn section. Eventually, he found himself in the full lineup and led his talents in singing and horn playing to 1995's Everything Sucks and 1996's Turn The Radio Off.

After Turn the Radio Off, Scott continued to contribute his talents to Reel Big Fish. He and Barrett became known for their onstage antics, often using funny bits to keep the crowd occupied during songs. He would also take up the role of lead singer on their 2000 cover of Hungry Like the Wolf.

Klopfenstein played with Reel Big Fish for 16 years. He made the decision to leave in 2010, citing both the birth of his first daughter and a desire to experience an everyday life. His last show with the band was in Perth, Australia. He posted this message to the band's website:

"You all are true blessings in my life and I will never forget all that you have done for the band, my bandmates, my family and for me. I will deeply miss watching you all, as you dance, smile, sweat and sing along. Your love and support have always been the fuel that make Reel Big Fish continue to move forward. And when I tell my daughter stories of my time in the band, I will probably become misty eyed, like I am now, when I remember all of your beautiful faces. Please take care of yourselves and those around you. And remember, don’t let your dreams stand waiting in the wings. Invite them center stage. They need to be seen."

Scott disappeared from the ska scene after his departure. Over time, however, he began making appearances at Reel Big Fish shows when they came to Brooklyn. The Littlest Man band went dormant for 13 years before coming back in 2018. Scott now livestreams on his Twitch channel, and promises to release more music soon.

## **The** **Littlest Man Band**

During his tenure with Reel Big Fish, Scott wrote a multitude of songs that did not fit the band's style. Wanting to perform these songs, Scott began frequenting venues around Southern California, taking on the pseudonym "The Littlest Man." Once his shows began gaining traction, Scott added more members from the Long Beach music scene. The Littlest Man Band released their first LP Better Book Ends in 2004.

Scott's "The Littlest Man" pseudonym returned in 2018 with Scott's livestreams. The Littlest Man Band performed a short reunion tour of 6 shows in July of 2022, with the new lineup featuring Tavis Werts from Reel Big Fish and Vincent Walker from Suburban Legends.

## **Personal Life**

Scott Klopfenstein was born in Southern California. Early in his life, he lived in Garden Grove and attended the Orange County School of the Arts.

In 2005, Klopfenstein moved to New York City to live with his fiancée. He married her in 2006; the couple now has two children.

Klopfenstein has Guillain–Barré syndrome, a condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves. He was hospitalized for this in 2005, missing several parts of Reel Big Fish's tours. He joined the band's lineup again after he recovered.

## **Stage Equipment**

### Guitars

* 1974 Fender Telecaster Custom
* White Fender Jazzmaster
* Red Fender Stratocaster
* Gibson ES-335

### Trumpets

* French Besson
* Schilke X3
* Some kind of Getzen Horn (According to Scott)

## Gallery

Scott playing the trumpetScott playing the guitarScott performingScottScott, smiling for a corporate photoScott singing
## Sources

1. ↑ https://tunestilespodcast.podbean.com/e/ep-84-scott-klopfenstein-gets-reel-about-his-ska-punk-legacy/
2. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20110117134445/http://www.reel-big-fish.com/farewell-to-scott/