My Obsession with The Aquabats: A Super Rad Story...

Day 4: Here's the story of the first time in my life that I ever felt like I belonged.
The Aquabats on KZbin:
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The Aquabats Official Site:
theaquabats.com
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#TheAquabats #Storytime #Ska
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[@philpheburbs]

Woohoo! I just found this video after watching a camera review haha, but I can't believe it - I first discovered The Aquabats in 2000 aged 16 and I had the exact same experience. And I was in the UK, so noooooo-one had heard of them and I had to wait like 8 YEARS before I got to see them live. I remember me and my friend wore homemade Aquabat costumes and were worried we'd be the only ones. As we approached the venue, round the corner another group in costume appeared and we cheered and were instant friends of course. Afterwards we met the band and took pictures - they were so hyped on our homemade costumes they put the photos on their website. They were so cool and friendly. Life-long fan right here. So nice to hear your story too!! 💙

[@tombuck]

Oh man I LOVE THIS! Thank you for sharing. So crazy you were able to see them living so far away. I can't believe our experiences were so similar!

[@Frogggle]

Im 18 and i grew up with the show. I have so many fond memories of it

[@tombuck]

Oh nice! That's a great thing to grow up with 😁

[@sp1deyluvr]

I went to college in Utah in 1998 and that's when I heard about Aquabats. A few of my friends knew members of the band and I never met them, but I LOVED them. I even made sure Red Sweater was on constant rotation when my kiddo was little. They still sing Cat with Two Heads loud and proud even at 19! I've found friends on Twitch who are huge Aquabat fans, too. It's such a loving community, and that's completely indicative of the band. This chat is a beautiful example.

[@tombuck]

They're the best! I wore my costume for Halloween this week to a hockey game and while only 3 or 4 people knew what I was, they were SO excited about it. 😁 One guy (a total stranger) immediately opened up his phone to show me a photo of his toddler dressed as an Aquabat. You just don't get that in many places.

[@NickHillMakesMusic]

I've always wondered about the connection to The Aquabats. I got into them sometime around 2010 or so. Being from SoCal, I've always had an affinity for punk and ska and when I came across The Aquabats, I loved the quirkyness but also, the music was legit. Great video even though I'm 6 years too late.

[@tombuck]

Thanks Nick! Even though the video is 6 years old, the timing is perfect since they're just about to release a new album!

[@SethMSparks]

Watches camcorder review. Sees much Aquabat stuffs on wall behind talking man. Googles talking man, finds this. So cool! I've been an official Aquacadet since 2001 Tom! Glad to have come across your channel.

[@tombuck]

Oh that's awesome! I've been a cadet since 2002 so you've got me beat!

[@WeirdSoIL]

Great story! I love the Aquabats. I’m more of a Five Iron Frenzy person myself (don’t tell anyone I said that) but The Aquabats are super rad.

[@tombuck]

You’ve got great taste, I won’t work myself up into a frenzy over your preferences 😉

[@Bot-Mann]

gonna go see them soon! so glad that there's other people out there who are into this band just as much as i am. thank you!

[@tombuck]

When people like the aquabats they REALLY like the aquabats 😁

[@cyberdude1987]

I 💙 that video presentation that you have created and especially for the fact that it involves The Aquabats which I also cite as a super mega ultra colossal ginormous nerdy fan boy of that band even though it's been 4 years in the process of my fandom status quo and I must admit to that I was 27 turning 28 at the time!!! They are my #1 all time favorite band and I also have experience plenty of social difficulties with trying to fit in with a certain crowd of individuals of people just like you have! I can tell you that it's great to surround yourself with friends within the social circle but also to have high levels of self esteem and spend time by yourself to develop your personality for the better! I am still in that process!! Great video btw, dude!!

[@tombuck]

Thanks so much, glad to hear from another self-professed Aquabats nerd 😁

[@Thecoolestgalonthebeach]

Sweet collection, bro

[@scruffiandraws]

Got into them in December and saw them at No Values! I’m obsessed and they have become an hyperfixation LOL. Trying to see them in July !

[@tombuck]

So awesome! The new album really has some great tracks on it too! Hopefully you get to see them again this summer 🙏

[@saleens330]

I’m 43 and still love The Aquabats!!

[@tombuck]

If I’m not mistaken, I think the Bat Commander turned 50 this year, so…

[@jamiecashes]

yeah, the punk and ska scene is very accepting subculture. Been a cadet member since 95'. seen them live a bunch of times. They always play CD RepoMan for me. My brothers and I have hung out with the band a few times over the years.

[@tombuck]

Oh man, that's amazing! After getting a new bass earlier this year, CD Repo Man was pretty much the first song I learned.

[@mozzasleeping]

Literally me. i’m autistic and they’ve been my special interest for over a year now!

[@tombuck]

So much fun! Just went to my 23rd concert earlier this month.

[@tyleradams3490]

More of this! Thanks for sharing. Glad I found this.

[@thomassorheimdanielsen]

Saw Heather's video about going back to watch your start. So I did the same. Actually really really love this one! I can relate so much. Never been into music. However, for me it was skateboarding. Loved watching this, and also, super cool to see this old video and see how far you have come. Inspirational in so many ways! Love it!

[@tombuck]

Wow, thank you so much! I showed this comment to Heather to let her know that her advice was taken. I really appreciate the kind words!

[@rpsmee]

Cadet since 97 here. Love that office.

[@tombuck]

Nice! Your number must be like 00005 or something 😁 I'm really glad the camcorder video brought your here.

[@rpsmee]

@@tombuck I lost my card long ago and have a terrible memory. I still have the patch though. It gets moved from jacket to jacket as the fabric wears out.

[@StumpyFunnel]

kinda unrelated but my favorite aquabats are the bat commander, chainsaw, baron von tito, dr rock, eaglebones and crash mclarson

[@tombuck]

That's an excellent lineup.

[@StumpyFunnel]

@@tombuck thanks

[@heatherjustcreate]

a/s/l? 😜 Thanks for sharing this. It really is cool that I'm getting to know you even tho I've only met you once hahaha. You are such a great model, you know that? I hope you know that. 🙌🏼

[@tombuck]

HeatherJustCreate thank you so much! I'm glad my lifelong nerdery has finally paid off!

[@melvinwren]

one time i read on like a Blink-182 Geocities fan page that Travis Barker was in this band called The Aquabats. and i did no other follow up research. and then i Napstered "The Aquabats". i downloaded the song "Worms Make Dirt", and i remember scoffing at the songm thinking Travis had made probably the best decision in his life leaving The Aquabats for Blink 182.... but maybe a couple months later somehow i tried again and downloaded "Red Sweater" and the rest was history. Seriously the best band in the world. - Aquacadet #00000000005197

[@heatherjustcreate]

As big of an Aquabats fan as you were in hs, I was the Backstreet Boys' #1 fan.

[@evilonlineturner20]

Sup fellow cadet

[@tombuck]

💧🦇

[@Mrenderboyo]

Ah yes the aquabats are amazing its been confirmed that im the biggest fan because they liked a tweet of me saying it

[@tombuck]

Oh snap, that’s officially official!

[@Mrenderboyo]

The Enthusiasm Project sort of they just liked a tweet i made saying i was the biggest fan

[@PatrickBoberg]

After crashing The Couple's Table with a ska question a couple weeks back, I realized I should search your channel for Ska videos. What a payoff. Jealous of your Californianess making Ska shows so much more accessible. Great story too, but... It's been a few years since you posted a ska video. I mean... maybe a break from regular programming for some up-beats?

[@tombuck]

So when it comes to the pace of ska videos, you want me to...pick it up?

[@PatrickBoberg]

@@tombuck that would be super rad