They're infamous for their energy jammed concerts, juvenile humor and "selling out."

Prominent punk-ska band Reel Big Fish will play Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave., Monday, bringing with them their energetic So-Cal style.

This will be Reel Big Fish's third Crowbar visit.

"They're really talented musically and they have a great time on stage," said Dave Wells, operations director for Crowbar.

The source of the notoriously dynamic shows?

"The high energy level is wacky. We're wacky!" proclaimed Reel Big Fish bassist Matt Wong.

Reel Big Fish is a group of wacky guys that features lead singer and guitarist Aaron Barrett, bassist Matt Wong, drummer Andrew Gonzalez and a dynamic horn section.

The band released four albums in the past six years and maintains a cult status among fans.

RBF broke into the pop music scene during the ska movement of the mid-'90s. Wong said that it's time for a change in popular music and hopes that ska and Reel Big Fish will make a mainstream comeback.

"I'd like to be one the biggest bands in the world," exclaimed Wong.

Reel Big Fish's 1997 breakthrough single "Sell Out" exasperated longtime fans who preferred Reel Big Fish to stick to the pop culture fringes.

Wong denies that RBF has ever sold out, even though they made an appearance in the 1998 film BASEketball and hit the pop-dominated airwaves.

Wong said, "Selling out is doing it just to get paid. Bands change. We evolved, but we enjoy doing it."

Reel Big Fish never fails to address selling out and other music industry grievances in songs like "Trendy," "Down in Flames" and of course "Sell Out."

"Aaron writes all the lyrics. He always has something to gripe about," said Wong.

While Reel Big Fish songs are generally adrenaline-pumped, upbeat tunes, the lyrics can deal with darker themes like relationships and wanting something more out of life.

Wong said that the band sets these serious lyrics to typically bubbly melodies to "help the medicine go down with a spoonful of sugar."

Though their albums portray a range of themes, the mood is always playful and exuberant.

Wong described Reel Big Fish's legendary sense of humor as "dry, silly, sarcastically juvenile. Basically, we're smart-asses."

With so many Penn State students pumped and ready to see Reel Big Fish, downtown music stores have already sold out of under-21 tickets. "They have a huge fan base up here," said Wells.

"Fans are excited they're coming back."

While many successful bands brush off their fans, RBF has always been fan-oriented and friendly.

"You try to be cool to everybody," said Wong. "If you're cool to us, we'll be cool to you."

Wong said he enjoys chatting with fans, but has never been hit on by one.

"Nobody gives lines to the bass player. Maybe the horn players," he lamented.

Get your chance to hit on Wong and the other Fish on Monday night at Crowbar with opening act Homegrown.

Doors open at 8:00 and the show kicks off at 9:30.

Tickets, which are $13.50, are available through Crowbar. The public may also get them at music stores in town or at www.ticketweb.com.