DATE / TIME
04/25/2018 at 7:00 pm
LOCATION
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Less Than Jake
Who is Less Than Jake?
That’s a legitimate question for someone who has been out of touch with the independent or punk music scene for the last quarter of a century. To some, the name may bring you back to a movie soundtrack or a video game; others are transported to a sweaty day on the Vans Warped Tour. One thing that can not be argued is that if you have ex-
perienced Less Than Jake live, it is something that you will never forget.
Formed in Gainesville, FL in 1992 by drummer Vinnie Fiorello and lead vocalist/guitarist Chris DeMakes, the band knew in its formative years their live show would be what set them apart from their contemporaries. Later joined by vocalist/bassist Roger Lima and trombonist Buddy Schaub, the band set off on tour and haven’t slowed down much at all, other than to have saxophonist J.R. Wasilewski join their ranks in 2000. Now with the same lineup for well over seventeen of their twenty five years, they have become one of the most consistent and entertaining live acts in or out of punk rock.
With their ten full length releases, numerous EP’s, 7″ singles and compilations, the band has quietly sold over two million records worldwide, with little support from radio and television outlets. They have been self managed for the last five years and have shown no signs of slowing down its break neck touring schedule. To quote an industry insider,
“while their contemporaries crowds have diminished, Less Than Jake’s draw has seemingly gotten larger.” If asked how this was accomplished, the band members shrug and respond, “we never stopped touring or trying to be an active band.”
Continuing to play over 150 dates a year while also writing and recording new material has kept the band fresh in a time when “ska” has become something of a four letter word. The list of acts they have supported is staggering (Bon Jovi, Linkin Park, Snoop Dogg) while the list of bands that have supported them makes even the most hardened music industry veteran do a double take (Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Yellowcard). All the while the band has held firm to its punk rock roots and have managed to live through many musical trends simply by just being Less Than Jake.
With well over 300 releases on various labels under their belt, most would think their legacy was in tact. But the status quo has never interested Less Than Jake. They continue to write and perform new material and have no thoughts of letting up. With the energy and exuberance of a band half its age and the determination of savvy veterans, there is seemingly no end point to this enduring and entertaining band.
So who is Less Than Jake? Go see a show and find out.
Face to Face
Whoever said that you can’t go home again never told face to face. The melodic punk institution, who will celebrate their
25th anniversary as a band throughout 2016, return to Fat Wreck Chords—the same label who released their classic debut Don’t Turn
Away—for their ninth full length studio album, Protection. As Trever Keith explains, this wasn’t coincidence.
“The decision to go back to Fat was a no brainer,” he says. “We knew we wanted to make a more back-to- basics punk rock
record, something more like our early days. Fat Wreck Chords was an obvious choice. After 25 successful years in punk rock, it’s a
label that speaks for itself. In lots of ways it feels like coming home.” Protection draws from the energy and passion of face to face’s
early records but is filtered through Keith’s unique worldview as a true “lifer” in punk rock, someone whose songs have influenced an
entire generation of bands. The result is an urgent and powerful 11-song effort that borrows from the melody and angst of the band’s
early days with lyrics that are thoughtfully written from the perspective of a “40 something” veteran punk rocker, from “Double
Crossed” and “Say What You Want” (Keith’s personal favorites) to the vicious barb “14:59” and the emotionally moving “Bent But
Not Broken.”
“‘14:59’ is a commentary on Western culture and its obsession in the past few decades with reality-based fame that comes for
people who have no skill other than just being famous. I think it’s disgusting. I hate it,” Keith remarks. “‘Bent But Not Broken’ is
about people who aren’t willing to listen to opposing viewpoints because they are so mired in their own beliefs, they can’t see they are
bent.” There’s even a rare burst of motivational positivity in “Keep Your Chin Up.” Credit can be shared with Bill Stevenson, who in
addition to being Descendents’ erstwhile drummer, has produced classic albums and fan favorites from NOFX, Propagandhi, Anti-
Flag and more. face to face worked with him at his studio, the Blasting Room, and the results exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Amazingly, Stevenson is the first outside producer face to face has worked with in nearly two decades, as the band usually self-
produces their work, but Keith said the partnership was nothing short of incredible. “It was a fantastic experience,” he says. “Bill was
great to work with. I met Bill on the Warped Tour something like 15 years ago, but we never really had spent time together until now,
and we hit it off great.”
With that trust in place, it allowed face to face to spend less time in the control room and more time focusing on their
performances and on the songs themselves, resulting in what feels like an instant classic from the first listen. “This is the first time
where [bassist] Scott [Shiflett] and I were willing to take a reduced role [in production],” Keith says. We were laid back, open minded,
and open to suggestions. Bill’s influence on the song arrangements and background vocals was key in giving the record the sound that
it has. Not every idea Bill had ended up being used, but we certainly listened to everything that Bill, Jason Livermore and Andrew
Berlin had to say and I think it’s a better record for it.”
Since returning from their self-imposed hiatus in 2008, face to face has been on a tear, touring worldwide and writing tons of
new music; Protection is their third full-length in five years, outpacing the output of many of their peers and devotees alike. face to
face still has a lot to say, and the band has no plans on slowing down. “To celebrate our 25th anniversary as a band in 2016, we plan
on re-releasing special edition vinyl copies of our early albums, plus playing as many shows as possible to promote Protection,” Keith
says. Why does the band continue to work so hard when so many others are content to coast through their careers? Because Keith
knows face to face isn’t just an outlet for him to vent his frustrations—it’s also a safe space for thousands of fans who need his songs
in their lives. “I love the idea that our music can take people out of the grind of their daily lives for a little while and that we can
connect emotionally,” admits Keith. “It’s an awesome and powerful thing.”
https://bellyup.com/all-shows/less-than-jake-and-face-to-face