Less Than Jake
Encyclopedia
Less Than Jake is an American
ska punk
band from Gainesville
, Florida
. Originally formed in 1992 as a power pop
trio, the band evolved into a hybrid of ska punk
. Less Than Jake have also been cited as showing influences from a wide variety of genres including post-grunge
, heavy metal
, alternative rock
and punk revival. To date, the group has released eight full-length studio albums and a number of singles and compilations. The current lineup comprises guitarist/vocalist Chris Demakes, bassist/vocalist Roger Manganelli
, drummer/lyricist Vinnie Fiorello
, trombonist Buddy Schaub and saxophonist Peter "JR" Wasilewski.
On June 24, 2008 the band released their latest studio album, GNV FLA
, on their own label Sleep It Off Records
.
Chris Demakes, drummer
Vinnie Fiorello, and bassist
Shaun Grief led a local band named Good Grief while attending high school in Port Charlotte
, Florida
. Good Grief broke up when Demakes moved north to attend the University of Florida
. On July 13, 1992, Less Than Jake was born. While Grief moved to Sacramento (he would later return as the band's roadie), Demakes and Fiorello began writing songs on the weekends before Fiorello would join Demakes at the University of Florida. When united, the pair decided they needed a bass player, but first, they wanted a name. Fiorello said:
The band's name comes from Fiorello's dog, Jake, who was treated better than the rest of the household, so everything was "less than Jake". After practicing with a different bass player for a couple of weeks, the band met Roger Manganelli, a guitarist who also attended the University of Florida. After Manganelli practiced with the band on guitar for a few hours, the band fired the current bass player and recruited him instead. Citing influence from Snuff
, the band decided they wanted to add a horn section.
In 1993, the group added their first horn
player, Jessica Mills, and released their first 7" record, Smoke Spot, hand pressing all 300 records themselves. Soon after, trombone
player Buddy Schaub joined the band. Over the first few years, the band put out their first EP, Better Class Of Losers, made compilation appearances, and released several vinyl records (featuring songs that would later appear on the 1995 Losers, Kings, and Things We Don't Understand
compilation), before Mike Park agreed to release the band's debut album on Dill Records. Right before the band's first U.S. tour in June 1995 with Skankin' Pickle
, Schaub had already made plans to travel to Europe
with his friends. The band found a temporary replacement in saxophonist Derron Nuhfer, who filled in for Schaub during his absence. Derron eventually became a permanent member in August 1995.
Less Than Jake's first full length LP Pezcore
debuted in August 1995, featuring such staples as "Liquor Store"' and "My Very Own Flag". Originally on Dill Records, the CD contained 21-tracks, including two covers of TV theme songs Jeffersons and Laverne and Shirley (which were omitted on the suon Asian Man and Fueled By Ramen
records). The title of the album stems from Roger and Vinnie's unexplained fondness for Pez
candy, clearly apparent in their reportedly sizable Pez dispenser collections, and the pervasively used suffix "core". Ever since, Pez dispenser motifs have been a common feature of Less Than Jake's merchandise.
. They debuted on the major label in 1996 with Losing Streak
. The album was full of the band's wry, fast-paced brand of ska-punk anthems, producing such fan favorites as "Johnny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts," "Jen Doesn't Like Me Anymore," and "Automatic." Following the 1997 Warped Tour, saxophonist Jessica Mills left to pursue teaching, and was later replaced by ex-Slapstick
trombonist Pete Anna in January 1998 (trombonist Lars Nylander served as a fill-in during the fall of 1997). Around this time, Vinnie Fiorello
also started his own record label, Fueled by Ramen
, with friend John Janick, as a means to find and promote up-and-coming bands that he himself would want to hear. During 1997, the band's popularity soared, as they embarked on the Caffeine Nation Tour with the Descendents
, Guttermouth
, and Handsome; the Race Around Uranus Tour with Blink-182
and Frenzal Rhomb
; and the Warped Tour
, helping the band spend the majority of the year on Billboard Heatseekers chart.
In 1998, after participating in the Ska Against Racism Tour with such ska acts as The Toasters
and Mustard Plug
, and the Warped Tour, the band released Hello Rockview
, which included staple songs such as "All My Best Friends Are Metalheads" and "Last One Out Of Liberty City", which is commonly used as a circle-pitter. The band even spawned a minor college radio hit with "History of a Boring Town", which reached #39 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks, despite not being released as a video single.
, and the band selling two full length CDs, Bootleg a Bootleg, You Cut Out The Middle Man and Goodbye Blue and White through their webstore, which their contract stated didn't have to be through Capitol. After recording what would be Borders & Boundaries
, the band opted to buy out their contract from the major label and release the new album on Fat Wreck Chords
instead.
In September 2000, the band released Borders & Boundaries, as well as landing the opening spot on Bon Jovi
's North American Fall tour. While it was neither as commercially successful as previous releases initially, the album contained singles such as "Look What Happened" (which received minor airplay on college stations) and their home-town anthem, "Gainesville Rock City" (which received some airtime on MTV2
). Shortly after the album's recording, Derron Nuhfer left the band (going on to join Gunmoll and later Escape Grace; he currently plays bass for Cutman, a Gainesville-based rock band featuring ex members of Escape Grace and Unitas), and Less Than Jake found a replacement in the ashes of another ska band, this time ex-Spring Heeled Jack U.S.A.
saxophonist, Pete Wasilewski. To avoid the confusion provided by having two Peters within the band, the second Pete Wasilewski was dubbed JR (as in 'Peter Junior'). He still goes by JR even following the departure of the first Pete after the 2001 Warped Tour
. In 2001, they toured the US along with New Found Glory
, Anti-Flag
, and the Teen Idols
In 2002, Less Than Jake spent time touring with Bad Religion
and Hot Water Music
while spending most of the summer touring in Europe. Less Than Jake re-released their compilation album, Goodbye Blue and White, which included various 7" releases spanning from 1996–2001, and provided a different track listing from the first pressing. The album was named in honor of their original tour van, with the liner notes having the band recounting memories of the van. To celebrate the band's 10th year anniversary, Pezcore was re-released and the band's first four 7", Smoke Spot, Pez Kings, Unglued, and Rock-n-Roll Pizzeria, were repressed and included in a limited edition Cereal Box (which also featured a t-shirt, bobblehead, and pin).
/Sire Records
. The album was arguably Less Than Jake's most successful commercially. Debuting at #45 on the Billboard 200 (the band's highest to date), the album featured three major singles in both the US and the UK, with "She's Gonna Break Soon" (which spent a couple weeks on TRL
), "The Science Of Selling Yourself Short" (which spent fives weeks on the Billboard Top 40, peaking at #37), and "The Brightest Bulb Has Burned Out" (featuring Billy Bragg
) which spent time in the UK Top 40. Actress Alexis Bledel
, known for her role as Rory Gilmore on Gilmore Girls
appeared in the video for She's Gonna Break Soon, where she played the unnamed subject of the song, an angsty teen girl who has a nervous breakdown, and destroys her bedroom over the course the song. The band spent the rest of the year promoting the new album by playing the Warped Tour and gained support from Fall Out Boy
, Yellowcard
, and Bang Tango
during their Fall 2003 tour. The band released B Is for B-sides
in July 2004. The album comprised tracks that didn't make Anthems final cut and was produced by Less Than Jake. The DVD
retrospective The People's History of Less Than Jake appeared a month later, featuring both professional and bootleg recordings of the band. The band also held the opening spot on the main stage during the Projekt Revolution
tour in the summer of 2004 with Linkin Park
, Korn
, Snoop Dogg
, and The Used
before taking a long break to write their next record.
, A Wilhelm Scream
, The Loved Ones
, The New Mexican Disaster Squad, Rock-n-Roll Soldiers, Damone
, Dropkick Murphys
, and Far From Finished. In April 2006, the band released its four-song Absolution for Idiots and Addicts (EP)
, with their next full-length, In with the Out Crowd
, following a month later on Sire Records
. The album was also issued in a limited edition that came in a leather-bound case complete with bonus multimedia discs that contained a plethora of music video
s, bonus track
s and an elaborate photo gallery.
In February 2007, Less Than Jake played six shows in Florida and california that each featured the band playing one of their albums in its entirety, plus b-sides and rarities. They played at three venues with each venue featuring two shows to be recorded for a possible DVD release. The records performed were Borders and Boundaries, Pezcore
, Losing Streak
, Anthem, Hello Rockview
, and In with the Out Crowd
. They then did the same in London
, United Kingdom
, in September 2007, playing at the Astoria II for 6 nights in a row.
On May 21, 2007, after much speculation, Vinnie Fiorello announced on his blog that the band had asked and granted their release from their contract with Sire Records and Warner Brothers. Following this split, the band released five high quality (MP3, 320kbit/s), DRM
-free, unedited recordings of their live shows, taken directly from the mixing console
at each show. These recordings are being released for sale on the band's website via Snocap
. During the 6 Albums / 6 Shows / 6 Nights in London, Chris stated that Less Than Jake's new record label in the UK and Europe would be Cooking Vinyl
.
In the summer 2007, Less Than Jake embarked on the Shout It Loud Tour, co-headlining with Reel Big Fish
and featuring support from Streetlight Manifesto
and Against All Authority
. During the shows, the band held a spoof of The Price is Right
, quizzing the contestants on various Less Than Jake "trivia", having them play a few games from the shows, using the games to determine which album they'd play selections from, and giving prizes to the winners. The band reunited with Reel Big Fish and Streetlight Manifesto for a Japan and Australia tour in December 2007.
, CMJ reported that the band was starting their own label, named Sleep It Off Records
, the name taken from the title of a song from the B is for B-sides record. The purpose of the new label is to release the band's forthcoming album in summer 2008 and to reissue their back catalog. Reissues of Goodbye Blue And White, Pezcore, Losers, Kings And Things We Don't Understand, and the DVD The Peoples History Of Less Than Jake were released on March 18. The reissues include new artworks and bonus DVDs.
Upon talking about their new album, Vinnie mentioned his desire to "combine third wave ska and pop punk
in each song," hinting at a possible return to the band's older sound. He also had the following to say:
On April 20, Vinnie announced via his blog that the new album, recorded at Atlas Studios in Chicago, was totally finished. On April 23, Vinnie revealed the title of the album would be GNV FLA
, the name being an abbreviation for the Gainesville
's airport code. Buddy Schaub stated the reason behind the album title was "to get back to our roots". The first single from GNV FLA was "Does The Lion City Still Roar?", GNV FLA was officially released June 24, 2008. Touring in support of the album included the Reading and Leeds Festivals
and a tour of UK during the fall containing thirteen dates with the band Zebrahead
.
"Conviction Notice" was the second and final single off the album. They also stated at other various concerts during their recent Europe tour that they were recording video footage for a new DVD.
In June 2009, Internet radio station PunkRadioCast teamed up with Jones Soda
to create a punk pop 6 pack featuring labels designed by PunkRadioCast and five punk artists, one of which was "Less Than Jake – Root Beer".
, consisting of sixteen covers of television theme songs in the span of thirteen minutes: "Spanning from the vintage adverts of yesteryear to the frenetic promos of modern day, TV/EP reimagines a world where pop punk and ska is the music de rigueur, and this is the soundtrack to your couch potato life. Tracklisted as anonymously numbered channels, the experience they have planned is akin to the feeling of flipping random television channels." The first revealed track off the disc is a rendition of the Animaniacs
theme song.
The band also performed in Tavares, FL along with the Supervillians and local acts to support funding for the surrounding counties' high school band programs.
On June 20, 2011, the band released another EP, entitled Greetings From Less Than Jake!, which was made available on their online store and was sold on Warped Tour 2011
as well.
Fueled by Ramen
, which Vinnie has recently left. On May 13, 2008 Vinnie launched his new indie label, called Paper + Plastick
. In the press release, Vinnie stated the inspiration for the name; "If you think about it, prints and books are the paper side, while vinyl records and toys are the plastic side. It’s a simple and to-the-point concept." The label is currently slated to release new albums; a concept album from Andrew Dost, The Landmines debut album, and the final release from The Explosion
.
Vinnie also owns a toy
company called Wünderland War, originally called Monkey VS Robot. The name was changed due to legal issues. Vinnie has also started a second toy company with a friend called Symptoms. Many of these toys have been featured in art books and shows.
Roger has a side-project called Rehasher
, who have recorded an album Off Key Melodies on Gainesville based record label No Idea Records
in 2004. He plays guitar (not bass) for Rehasher, and is also their lead singer. Roger also has a recording studio at his home, dubbed as the Moat House. Some local bands record music here and Rehasher's second album, High Speed Access To My Brain, was recorded here.
JR composes his own solo music on top of working with a promoting company called the CT Mafia. He contributed one track to the Drive-Thru Records
tribute to Bob Dylan
, under the name "The Stay at Home Joneses" which also featured secondary vocals by Roger.
In 1996, Vinnie, Chris, and Roger served as backup musicians for Asian Man Records
owner Mike Park
in The Bruce Lee Band
(former sax player Derron also provided horns on some of the tracks).
Buddy is involved in a side band called PB&J; in which he provides the bass, vocals and occasional trombone, as well as the bands Black Ice that he plays all instruments for. Buddy is one half of Coffee Project along with Jake Crown who released a self-titled album on the aforementioned Paper and Plastick http://www.Paperandplastick.Com label. Together they decided that "a couple of acoustic guitars and a trombone was all they really needed".
Chris has been recording his own solo music while not working with Less Than Jake. He is a guest vocalist on the 2010 album The Seven Degrees Of Stephen Egerton by Descendents
guitarist Stephen Egerton
.
Former bassist Shaun Grief joined hardcore punk band Victim Youth out of Fort Myers, FL in 2007.
Past members
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ska punk
Ska punk
Ska punk is a fusion music genre that combines ska and punk rock. It achieved its highest level of commercial success in the United States in the late 1990s. Ska-core is a subgenre of ska punk, blending ska with hardcore punk.The characteristics of ska punk vary, due to the fusion of contrasting...
band from Gainesville
Gainesville
Gainesville is the name of several places in the United States of America:*Gainesville, Alabama*Gainesville, Florida, largest municipality with this name*Gainesville, Georgia*Gainesville, Missouri*Gainesville , New York...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Originally formed in 1992 as a power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
trio, the band evolved into a hybrid of ska punk
Ska punk
Ska punk is a fusion music genre that combines ska and punk rock. It achieved its highest level of commercial success in the United States in the late 1990s. Ska-core is a subgenre of ska punk, blending ska with hardcore punk.The characteristics of ska punk vary, due to the fusion of contrasting...
. Less Than Jake have also been cited as showing influences from a wide variety of genres including post-grunge
Post-grunge
Post-grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the mid-1990s as a derivative of grunge, using the sounds and aesthetic of grunge, but with a more commercially acceptable tone...
, heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
, alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
and punk revival. To date, the group has released eight full-length studio albums and a number of singles and compilations. The current lineup comprises guitarist/vocalist Chris Demakes, bassist/vocalist Roger Manganelli
Roger Manganelli
Roger Manganelli is the bassist and one of the two lead vocalists for ska-punk band Less Than Jake. He is also the lead vocalist and guitarist for Rehasher, and drummer for Greenhorn...
, drummer/lyricist Vinnie Fiorello
Vinnie Fiorello
Vinnie Fiorello is an American drummer, lyricist and founding member of the ska punk band Less Than Jake. As a child, Vinnie's family owned a dog named Jake who was "treated like a king" according to the band's website FAQ page. As a result, everything in the house became "Less Than Jake",...
, trombonist Buddy Schaub and saxophonist Peter "JR" Wasilewski.
On June 24, 2008 the band released their latest studio album, GNV FLA
GNV FLA
GNV FLA is the seventh studio album by Less Than Jake, released on June 24, 2008. Guitarist Chris Demakes states that the band "wrote a quintessential Less Than Jake record" and that the album includes "lots of horns and lots of vocals."...
, on their own label Sleep It Off Records
Sleep It Off Records
Sleep It Off Records is a Gainesville, Florida-based independent record label, which was started by the band Less Than Jake in 2008. The label name was taken from a track on the band's 2004 B-sides album, B is for B-sides....
.
Formation and Pezcore (1992-1995)
Before the formation of Less Than Jake, vocalist and guitaristGuitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Chris Demakes, drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Vinnie Fiorello, and bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Shaun Grief led a local band named Good Grief while attending high school in Port Charlotte
Port Charlotte, Florida
Port Charlotte is a census-designated place in Charlotte County, Florida, United States. The population was 46,451 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Punta Gorda Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Good Grief broke up when Demakes moved north to attend the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
. On July 13, 1992, Less Than Jake was born. While Grief moved to Sacramento (he would later return as the band's roadie), Demakes and Fiorello began writing songs on the weekends before Fiorello would join Demakes at the University of Florida. When united, the pair decided they needed a bass player, but first, they wanted a name. Fiorello said:
The band's name comes from Fiorello's dog, Jake, who was treated better than the rest of the household, so everything was "less than Jake". After practicing with a different bass player for a couple of weeks, the band met Roger Manganelli, a guitarist who also attended the University of Florida. After Manganelli practiced with the band on guitar for a few hours, the band fired the current bass player and recruited him instead. Citing influence from Snuff
Snuff (band)
Snuff are a British punk rock band formed in Hendon in 1986. Their name reportedly came about after a long discussion about names ended up with one of them claiming "That's Enough", which was then shortened to Snuff...
, the band decided they wanted to add a horn section.
In 1993, the group added their first horn
Horn section
In music, a horn section can refer to several groups of musicians. It can refer to the musicians in a symphony orchestra who play the horn . In a British-style brass band it refers to the tenor horn players. In popular music, it can also refer to a small group of wind instrumentalists who augment a...
player, Jessica Mills, and released their first 7" record, Smoke Spot, hand pressing all 300 records themselves. Soon after, trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
player Buddy Schaub joined the band. Over the first few years, the band put out their first EP, Better Class Of Losers, made compilation appearances, and released several vinyl records (featuring songs that would later appear on the 1995 Losers, Kings, and Things We Don't Understand
Losers, Kings, and Things We Don't Understand
Losers, Kings, and Things We Don't Understand is a compilation album by Less Than Jake, released on No Idea Records in 1995.The album itself is a compilation of every previous Less Than Jake release apart from their debut album Pezcore...
compilation), before Mike Park agreed to release the band's debut album on Dill Records. Right before the band's first U.S. tour in June 1995 with Skankin' Pickle
Skankin' Pickle
Skankin' Pickle was an American ska punk band formed in San Jose, California that was active from 1989 to 1996.-Biography:Skankin' Pickle first formed in December 1988, made up of students from Westmont High School and Los Gatos High School. The band played their first show on April 28, 1989,...
, Schaub had already made plans to travel to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
with his friends. The band found a temporary replacement in saxophonist Derron Nuhfer, who filled in for Schaub during his absence. Derron eventually became a permanent member in August 1995.
Less Than Jake's first full length LP Pezcore
Pezcore
Pezcore is the first full-length album released by the ska punk band Less Than Jake, originally released on Dill Records in 1995. The album was later reissued on Asian Man, but was missing two tracks found on the Dill version .In 2002, Less Than Jake released a tenth anniversary version of Pezcore...
debuted in August 1995, featuring such staples as "Liquor Store"' and "My Very Own Flag". Originally on Dill Records, the CD contained 21-tracks, including two covers of TV theme songs Jeffersons and Laverne and Shirley (which were omitted on the suon Asian Man and Fueled By Ramen
Fueled by Ramen
Fueled by Ramen is an American record label which operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records. The label, founded in Gainesville, Florida, is based in New York City...
records). The title of the album stems from Roger and Vinnie's unexplained fondness for Pez
PEZ
Pez is the brand name of an Austrian confectionery and the mechanical pocket dispensers for the same...
candy, clearly apparent in their reportedly sizable Pez dispenser collections, and the pervasively used suffix "core". Ever since, Pez dispenser motifs have been a common feature of Less Than Jake's merchandise.
Losing Streak and Hello Rockview (1996-1999)
Shortly following the release of Pezcore, the band was signed to Capitol RecordsCapitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
. They debuted on the major label in 1996 with Losing Streak
Losing Streak
Losing Streak is the third album by ska punk band Less Than Jake and the band's first album with Capitol Records. The album was recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida and Mirror Image Studios in Gainesville, Florida, both with producer Michael Rosen. Drums and bass were recorded at the...
. The album was full of the band's wry, fast-paced brand of ska-punk anthems, producing such fan favorites as "Johnny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts," "Jen Doesn't Like Me Anymore," and "Automatic." Following the 1997 Warped Tour, saxophonist Jessica Mills left to pursue teaching, and was later replaced by ex-Slapstick
Slapstick (band)
Slapstick was a punk-ska fusion band formed in Chicago by a group of friends from the Elgin area. The group took some cues from the seminal ska/punk outfit Operation Ivy and the guttural punk vocals of Crimpshrine, but developed their own unique style. The group was active from 1993 to 1996 on...
trombonist Pete Anna in January 1998 (trombonist Lars Nylander served as a fill-in during the fall of 1997). Around this time, Vinnie Fiorello
Vinnie Fiorello
Vinnie Fiorello is an American drummer, lyricist and founding member of the ska punk band Less Than Jake. As a child, Vinnie's family owned a dog named Jake who was "treated like a king" according to the band's website FAQ page. As a result, everything in the house became "Less Than Jake",...
also started his own record label, Fueled by Ramen
Fueled by Ramen
Fueled by Ramen is an American record label which operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records. The label, founded in Gainesville, Florida, is based in New York City...
, with friend John Janick, as a means to find and promote up-and-coming bands that he himself would want to hear. During 1997, the band's popularity soared, as they embarked on the Caffeine Nation Tour with the Descendents
Descendents (band)
The Descendents are an American punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California. As of 2011, they have released six studio albums, three live albums, three compilation albums and three EPs. The Descendents broke up and reformed several times over the years, sometimes with different musicians...
, Guttermouth
Guttermouth
Guttermouth is an American punk rock band formed in 1988 in Huntington Beach, California and currently recording for Hopeless Records. They have released nine full-length studio albums and two live albums and have toured extensively, including performances on the Vans Warped Tour...
, and Handsome; the Race Around Uranus Tour with Blink-182
Blink-182
Blink-182 is an American rock band consisting of vocalist and bass guitarist Mark Hoppus, vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. They have sold over 27 million albums worldwide since forming in Poway, California in 1992...
and Frenzal Rhomb
Frenzal Rhomb
Frenzal Rhomb are an Australian punk rock band which formed in 1992 with mainstay Jason Whalley on lead vocals and rhythm guitar. In 1996, Lindsay McDougall joined the line-up on lead guitar and backing vocals. Two of the group's albums have peaked into the top 20 on the ARIA Albums Chart, A...
; and the Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
, helping the band spend the majority of the year on Billboard Heatseekers chart.
In 1998, after participating in the Ska Against Racism Tour with such ska acts as The Toasters
The Toasters
The Toasters was one of the first American bands in the third wave of ska, and is one of the longest active third wave ska bands.They have released nine studio albums, most of them on Moon Ska Records. The Toasters experienced a small degree of commercial success in the late 1990s due to the...
and Mustard Plug
Mustard Plug
Mustard Plug is a ska punk band from Grand Rapids, Michigan.Formed in 1991, the band's original members were Dave Kirchgessner, Mike McKendrick, Colin Clive, and Anthony Vilchez. Currently the band consists of Dave , Brandon Jenison , Jim Hofer , Nate Cohn , Colin Clive , and Rick Johnson...
, and the Warped Tour, the band released Hello Rockview
Hello Rockview
Hello Rockview is the third major album written by ska punk band Less Than Jake. It was released on October 6, 1998, and is their second and final album on Capitol Records. The album was recorded at Mirror Image Studios in Gainesville, Florida, once again with producer Howard Benson. This is the...
, which included staple songs such as "All My Best Friends Are Metalheads" and "Last One Out Of Liberty City", which is commonly used as a circle-pitter. The band even spawned a minor college radio hit with "History of a Boring Town", which reached #39 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks, despite not being released as a video single.
Borders and Boundaries (2000-2002)
Following the album, tensions started to grow with Capitol. There were disagreements over various issues, including Capitol dragging its feet over funding a video for "History of a Boring Town", the band attempting to sell full length shows on MP3.comMP3.com
MP3.com is a web site operated by CNET Networks providing information about digital music and artists, songs, services, community, and technologies. It is probably better known for its original incarnation, as a legal, free music-sharing service, popular with independent musicians for promoting...
, and the band selling two full length CDs, Bootleg a Bootleg, You Cut Out The Middle Man and Goodbye Blue and White through their webstore, which their contract stated didn't have to be through Capitol. After recording what would be Borders & Boundaries
Borders & Boundaries
- Personnel :* Chris Demakes - guitar, vocals* Roger Manganelli - bass guitar, vocals* Vinnie Fiorello - drums, lyrics* Buddy Schaub - trombone* Pete Anna - trombone* Derron Nuhfer - additional baritone saxophone...
, the band opted to buy out their contract from the major label and release the new album on Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
instead.
In September 2000, the band released Borders & Boundaries, as well as landing the opening spot on Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
's North American Fall tour. While it was neither as commercially successful as previous releases initially, the album contained singles such as "Look What Happened" (which received minor airplay on college stations) and their home-town anthem, "Gainesville Rock City" (which received some airtime on MTV2
MTV2
MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
). Shortly after the album's recording, Derron Nuhfer left the band (going on to join Gunmoll and later Escape Grace; he currently plays bass for Cutman, a Gainesville-based rock band featuring ex members of Escape Grace and Unitas), and Less Than Jake found a replacement in the ashes of another ska band, this time ex-Spring Heeled Jack U.S.A.
Spring Heeled Jack U.S.A.
Spring Heeled Jack U.S.A. was a third wave ska band based out of New Haven, Connecticut. The band was formed by guitarist/vocalist Ron Ragona and drummer Dave Karcich in 1991. After a short breakup, Ragona and Karcich reformed the band with a new lineup. This lineup went on to record two albums...
saxophonist, Pete Wasilewski. To avoid the confusion provided by having two Peters within the band, the second Pete Wasilewski was dubbed JR (as in 'Peter Junior'). He still goes by JR even following the departure of the first Pete after the 2001 Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
. In 2001, they toured the US along with New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
, Anti-Flag
Anti-Flag
Anti-Flag is a punk rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States, formed in 1988. The band is well known for its outspoken political views. Much of the band's lyrics have focused on fervent anti-war activism, criticism of United States foreign policy, corporatism, U.S. wealth...
, and the Teen Idols
Teen Idols
The Teen Idols were a pop punk band originally from Nashville, Tennessee. They were formed in 1992 by Phillip Hill and originally broke up in 2003...
In 2002, Less Than Jake spent time touring with Bad Religion
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...
and Hot Water Music
Hot Water Music
Hot Water Music is a punk rock band from Gainesville, Florida. The members of the band are Chuck Ragan, Chris Wollard, Jason Black, and George Rebelo. HWM first formed in 1993...
while spending most of the summer touring in Europe. Less Than Jake re-released their compilation album, Goodbye Blue and White, which included various 7" releases spanning from 1996–2001, and provided a different track listing from the first pressing. The album was named in honor of their original tour van, with the liner notes having the band recounting memories of the van. To celebrate the band's 10th year anniversary, Pezcore was re-released and the band's first four 7", Smoke Spot, Pez Kings, Unglued, and Rock-n-Roll Pizzeria, were repressed and included in a limited edition Cereal Box (which also featured a t-shirt, bobblehead, and pin).
Anthem (2003-2004)
Less Than Jake returned to major label status with their next album Anthem, releasing the 2003 LP on Warner Bros.Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
/Sire Records
Sire Records
Sire Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group and distributed through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:The label was founded in 1966 as Sire Productions by Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehrer, each investing ten thousand dollars into the new company. Its early releases as a...
. The album was arguably Less Than Jake's most successful commercially. Debuting at #45 on the Billboard 200 (the band's highest to date), the album featured three major singles in both the US and the UK, with "She's Gonna Break Soon" (which spent a couple weeks on TRL
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
), "The Science Of Selling Yourself Short" (which spent fives weeks on the Billboard Top 40, peaking at #37), and "The Brightest Bulb Has Burned Out" (featuring Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg
Stephen William Bragg , better known as Billy Bragg, is an English alternative rock musician and left-wing activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, and his lyrics mostly deal with political or romantic themes...
) which spent time in the UK Top 40. Actress Alexis Bledel
Alexis Bledel
Alexis Bledel is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Rory Gilmore in the television series Gilmore Girls and Lena Kaligaris in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.-Early life:Bledel was born Kimberly Alexis Bledel in Houston, Texas...
, known for her role as Rory Gilmore on Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls is an American family comedy-drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. On October 5, 2000, the series debuted on The WB and was cancelled in its seventh season, ending on May 15, 2007 on The CW...
appeared in the video for She's Gonna Break Soon, where she played the unnamed subject of the song, an angsty teen girl who has a nervous breakdown, and destroys her bedroom over the course the song. The band spent the rest of the year promoting the new album by playing the Warped Tour and gained support from Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, formed in 2001. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and composer Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band released five studio albums from 2003–2008...
, Yellowcard
Yellowcard
Yellowcard is an American pop punk/alternative rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997, and based in Los Angeles, California since 2000. Their music features the use of a violin, unusual for the genre...
, and Bang Tango
Bang Tango
Bang Tango is an American funk-infused hard rock and glam metal band.-Biography:The band formed in 1987 in Los Angeles, California and were signed to MCA Records that same year. The band's line-up has fluctuated since its inception, with the one mainstay of the group being frontman Joe Lesté...
during their Fall 2003 tour. The band released B Is for B-sides
B Is for B-sides
B Is for B-sides is a 12 track album by Less Than Jake. It is composed of songs recorded for the album Anthem that did not make the release. The album was released in 2004 by Sire Records...
in July 2004. The album comprised tracks that didn't make Anthems final cut and was produced by Less Than Jake. The DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
retrospective The People's History of Less Than Jake appeared a month later, featuring both professional and bootleg recordings of the band. The band also held the opening spot on the main stage during the Projekt Revolution
Projekt Revolution
Projekt Revolution is a music festival hosted by Linkin Park, bringing artists of various genres of music together. Linkin Park started Projekt Revolution in the year 2002 with just one stage...
tour in the summer of 2004 with Linkin Park
Linkin Park
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries...
, Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
, Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
, and The Used
The Used
The Used is an American rock band from Orem, Utah. The band was founded in 2001 and signed to Reprise Records the same year. They rose to fame in June 2002 after releasing their self-titled debut album. They followed up with their second album, In Love and Death, in September 2004 and their third...
before taking a long break to write their next record.
In with the Out Crowd (2005-2007)
After spending the majority of 2005 writing and recording, the band opened 2006 by going on a full U.S. and Europe tour that also featured Catch 22Catch 22 (band)
Catch 22 is an American ska punk band from East Brunswick Township, New Jersey.The band was formed by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Tomas Kalnoky and drummer Chris Greer who recruited trumpeter Kevin Gunther, who was working in a local record store...
, A Wilhelm Scream
A Wilhelm Scream
A Wilhelm Scream is a melodic hardcore band from New Bedford, Massachusetts. Many people have referenced Strung Out, Hot Water Music, Propagandhi, and Strike Anywhere as the band's similar artists. Their name is a reference to the Wilhelm Scream, a famous stock sound effect which mainly is used in...
, The Loved Ones
The Loved Ones (American band)
The Loved Ones is a punk band based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in late 2003, the band currently consists of Dave Hause , David Walsh , Chris Gonzalez , and Mike Sneeringer...
, The New Mexican Disaster Squad, Rock-n-Roll Soldiers, Damone
Damone
Not to be confused with singer Vic Damone.Damone is an American rock band with distinct elements from power pop in their sound. The band originated in Waltham, a city located just west of Boston, Massachusetts, and comprises Noelle , Mike Woods , Vazquez and Dustin Hengst .-In popular culture:The...
, Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
, and Far From Finished. In April 2006, the band released its four-song Absolution for Idiots and Addicts (EP)
Absolution for Idiots and Addicts (EP)
Absolution for Idiots and Addicts is a promotional EP by ska-punk band Less Than Jake before the release of their 2006 full length In with the Out Crowd. This EP contains two songs which were released on the full-length and two exclusive songs...
, with their next full-length, In with the Out Crowd
In with the Out Crowd
In with the Out Crowd is the sixth studio album by ska-punk band Less Than Jake, released on May 23, 2006. Drummer and lyricist, Vinnie Fiorello, describes the record as "a mix of [previous albums] Hello Rockview, Borders and Boundaries and Anthem."Prior to the album's release, Vinnie stated that...
, following a month later on Sire Records
Sire Records
Sire Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group and distributed through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:The label was founded in 1966 as Sire Productions by Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehrer, each investing ten thousand dollars into the new company. Its early releases as a...
. The album was also issued in a limited edition that came in a leather-bound case complete with bonus multimedia discs that contained a plethora of music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s, bonus track
Bonus track
In terms of recorded music, a bonus track is a piece of music which has been included on specific releases or reissues of an album. This is most often done as a promotional device, either as an incentive to customers to purchase albums they might otherwise not, or to repurchase albums they already...
s and an elaborate photo gallery.
In February 2007, Less Than Jake played six shows in Florida and california that each featured the band playing one of their albums in its entirety, plus b-sides and rarities. They played at three venues with each venue featuring two shows to be recorded for a possible DVD release. The records performed were Borders and Boundaries, Pezcore
Pezcore
Pezcore is the first full-length album released by the ska punk band Less Than Jake, originally released on Dill Records in 1995. The album was later reissued on Asian Man, but was missing two tracks found on the Dill version .In 2002, Less Than Jake released a tenth anniversary version of Pezcore...
, Losing Streak
Losing Streak
Losing Streak is the third album by ska punk band Less Than Jake and the band's first album with Capitol Records. The album was recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida and Mirror Image Studios in Gainesville, Florida, both with producer Michael Rosen. Drums and bass were recorded at the...
, Anthem, Hello Rockview
Hello Rockview
Hello Rockview is the third major album written by ska punk band Less Than Jake. It was released on October 6, 1998, and is their second and final album on Capitol Records. The album was recorded at Mirror Image Studios in Gainesville, Florida, once again with producer Howard Benson. This is the...
, and In with the Out Crowd
In with the Out Crowd
In with the Out Crowd is the sixth studio album by ska-punk band Less Than Jake, released on May 23, 2006. Drummer and lyricist, Vinnie Fiorello, describes the record as "a mix of [previous albums] Hello Rockview, Borders and Boundaries and Anthem."Prior to the album's release, Vinnie stated that...
. They then did the same in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, in September 2007, playing at the Astoria II for 6 nights in a row.
On May 21, 2007, after much speculation, Vinnie Fiorello announced on his blog that the band had asked and granted their release from their contract with Sire Records and Warner Brothers. Following this split, the band released five high quality (MP3, 320kbit/s), DRM
Digital rights management
Digital rights management is a class of access control technologies that are used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals with the intent to limit the use of digital content and devices after sale. DRM is any technology that inhibits uses of digital content that...
-free, unedited recordings of their live shows, taken directly from the mixing console
Mixing console
In professional audio, a mixing console, or audio mixer, also called a sound board, mixing desk, or mixer is an electronic device for combining , routing, and changing the level, timbre and/or dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer...
at each show. These recordings are being released for sale on the band's website via Snocap
SNOCAP
BackgroundThe company was founded by Shawn Fanning , Jordan Mendelson, and Ron Conway. Other SNOCAP employees included music lawyer Christian Castle, the company's first General Counsel, and Ali Aydar, the company's Chief Operating Officer, who joined imeem after its acquisition of SNOCAP in April...
. During the 6 Albums / 6 Shows / 6 Nights in London, Chris stated that Less Than Jake's new record label in the UK and Europe would be Cooking Vinyl
Cooking Vinyl
Cooking Vinyl is a UK-based independent record company, founded in 1986. Its original orientation was toward contemporary folk music—notably Billy Bragg, and Michelle Shocked's Texas Campfire Tapes, recorded on a Sony Walkman, one of its first releases...
.
In the summer 2007, Less Than Jake embarked on the Shout It Loud Tour, co-headlining with Reel Big Fish
Reel Big Fish
Reel Big Fish is an American ska punk band from Huntington Beach, California, best known for the 1997 hit "Sell Out". The band gained mainstream recognition in the mid-to-late 1990s, during the third wave of ska with the release of the gold certified album Turn the Radio Off. Soon after, the band...
and featuring support from Streetlight Manifesto
Streetlight Manifesto
Streetlight Manifesto is an American punk band with many influences from different genres including ska, from New Brunswick, New Jersey fronted by Tomas Kalnoky....
and Against All Authority
Against All Authority
Against All Authority is an American punk band, formed in Florida in 1992. Playing in the ska punk style, their business practice follows a stringent DIY ethic.-History:...
. During the shows, the band held a spoof of The Price is Right
The Price Is Right
The Price Is Right is a television game show franchise originally produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, and created by Bob Stewart, and is currently produced and owned by FremantleMedia. The franchise centers on television game shows, but also includes merchandise such as video games, printed...
, quizzing the contestants on various Less Than Jake "trivia", having them play a few games from the shows, using the games to determine which album they'd play selections from, and giving prizes to the winners. The band reunited with Reel Big Fish and Streetlight Manifesto for a Japan and Australia tour in December 2007.
GNV FLA (2008-2009)
On January 8, 2008 after speculation that the next Less Than Jake record could be released on Fat Wreck Chords or Victory RecordsVictory Records
Victory Records is a Chicago-based record label founded by Tony Brummel. It is a privately held corporation. It also operates a music publishing company called "Another Victory, Inc." and is the distributor of several smaller independent record labels....
, CMJ reported that the band was starting their own label, named Sleep It Off Records
Sleep It Off Records
Sleep It Off Records is a Gainesville, Florida-based independent record label, which was started by the band Less Than Jake in 2008. The label name was taken from a track on the band's 2004 B-sides album, B is for B-sides....
, the name taken from the title of a song from the B is for B-sides record. The purpose of the new label is to release the band's forthcoming album in summer 2008 and to reissue their back catalog. Reissues of Goodbye Blue And White, Pezcore, Losers, Kings And Things We Don't Understand, and the DVD The Peoples History Of Less Than Jake were released on March 18. The reissues include new artworks and bonus DVDs.
Upon talking about their new album, Vinnie mentioned his desire to "combine third wave ska and pop punk
Pop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
in each song," hinting at a possible return to the band's older sound. He also had the following to say:
On April 20, Vinnie announced via his blog that the new album, recorded at Atlas Studios in Chicago, was totally finished. On April 23, Vinnie revealed the title of the album would be GNV FLA
GNV FLA
GNV FLA is the seventh studio album by Less Than Jake, released on June 24, 2008. Guitarist Chris Demakes states that the band "wrote a quintessential Less Than Jake record" and that the album includes "lots of horns and lots of vocals."...
, the name being an abbreviation for the Gainesville
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
's airport code. Buddy Schaub stated the reason behind the album title was "to get back to our roots". The first single from GNV FLA was "Does The Lion City Still Roar?", GNV FLA was officially released June 24, 2008. Touring in support of the album included the Reading and Leeds Festivals
Reading and Leeds Festivals
The Reading and Leeds Festivals are a pair of annual music festivals that take place in Reading and Leeds in England. The events take place simultaneously on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend, sharing the same bill. The Reading Festival is held at Little John's Farm...
and a tour of UK during the fall containing thirteen dates with the band Zebrahead
Zebrahead
Zebrahead is an American punk rock band from Orange County, California, which fuses elements of Rapcore, Pop Punk, Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal, and Funk Metal.-1996–98: Formation:...
.
"Conviction Notice" was the second and final single off the album. They also stated at other various concerts during their recent Europe tour that they were recording video footage for a new DVD.
In June 2009, Internet radio station PunkRadioCast teamed up with Jones Soda
Jones Soda
Jones Soda Co. is a beverage company based in Pioneer Square, Seattle, Washington. It bottles and distributes soft drinks, non-carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and candy. Jones Soda is a carbonated soft drink that has many unusual flavors that are not offered by other soft drink makers.Founded...
to create a punk pop 6 pack featuring labels designed by PunkRadioCast and five punk artists, one of which was "Less Than Jake – Root Beer".
TV/EP and Greetings from Less Than Jake! (2010-present)
On July 7, 2010, Less Than Jake announced that they had started recording again. On October 12, 2010, they released TV/EPTV/EP
TV/EP is the fifth EP by Less Than Jake. Apart from re-masters of their earlier albums, this EP is the second Less Than Jake release to be distributed by their own label Sleep It Off Records, following 2008's full length album GNV FLA. The recording consists of covers of TV theme songs and product...
, consisting of sixteen covers of television theme songs in the span of thirteen minutes: "Spanning from the vintage adverts of yesteryear to the frenetic promos of modern day, TV/EP reimagines a world where pop punk and ska is the music de rigueur, and this is the soundtrack to your couch potato life. Tracklisted as anonymously numbered channels, the experience they have planned is akin to the feeling of flipping random television channels." The first revealed track off the disc is a rendition of the Animaniacs
Animaniacs
Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs, usually referred to as simply Animaniacs, is an American animated series, distributed by Warner Bros. Television and produced by Amblin Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation. The cartoon was the second animated series produced by the collaboration of Steven...
theme song.
The band also performed in Tavares, FL along with the Supervillians and local acts to support funding for the surrounding counties' high school band programs.
On June 20, 2011, the band released another EP, entitled Greetings From Less Than Jake!, which was made available on their online store and was sold on Warped Tour 2011
Warped Tour 2011
Warped Tour 2011 is the 17th annual Summer Warped Tour festival. Vans Shoes is again the tour's primary sponsor. The tour dates were announced on November 22, 2010, with the first official band announcement on December 8...
as well.
Side projects
Vinnie and his friend John Janick started up the independent record labelIndependent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
Fueled by Ramen
Fueled by Ramen
Fueled by Ramen is an American record label which operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records. The label, founded in Gainesville, Florida, is based in New York City...
, which Vinnie has recently left. On May 13, 2008 Vinnie launched his new indie label, called Paper + Plastick
Paper + Plastick
Paper + Plastick is an indie record label, founded by Vinnie Fiorello, best known as the drummer for ska punk band Less Than Jake, but also co-founder of the label Fueled By Ramen.-History:Announced on March 21, 2008, the label launched on May 30, 2008....
. In the press release, Vinnie stated the inspiration for the name; "If you think about it, prints and books are the paper side, while vinyl records and toys are the plastic side. It’s a simple and to-the-point concept." The label is currently slated to release new albums; a concept album from Andrew Dost, The Landmines debut album, and the final release from The Explosion
The Explosion
The Explosion was a punk rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. On February 13, 2007 the band announced that they had left Virgin Records. On April 30, 2007 the band announced that they were to split up...
.
Vinnie also owns a toy
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
company called Wünderland War, originally called Monkey VS Robot. The name was changed due to legal issues. Vinnie has also started a second toy company with a friend called Symptoms. Many of these toys have been featured in art books and shows.
Roger has a side-project called Rehasher
Rehasher
Rehasher is a punk rock band based in Gainesville, Florida. They are currently signed to their vanity label, Moathouse Records and have released a second album...
, who have recorded an album Off Key Melodies on Gainesville based record label No Idea Records
No Idea Records
For other uses, see No Idea .No Idea Records is an independent record label based in Gainesville, Florida which produces both vinyl records and compact discs...
in 2004. He plays guitar (not bass) for Rehasher, and is also their lead singer. Roger also has a recording studio at his home, dubbed as the Moat House. Some local bands record music here and Rehasher's second album, High Speed Access To My Brain, was recorded here.
JR composes his own solo music on top of working with a promoting company called the CT Mafia. He contributed one track to the Drive-Thru Records
Drive-Thru Records
Drive-Thru Records, established in 1996, was a California-based record label owned by siblings Richard and Stefanie Reines. It has produced various pop punk bands, many with a distinct SoCal sound....
tribute to Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
, under the name "The Stay at Home Joneses" which also featured secondary vocals by Roger.
In 1996, Vinnie, Chris, and Roger served as backup musicians for Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records is a small, DIY record label run by Mike Park in Monte Sereno, California. Park started a record label and began releasing music in 1989 under the name Dill Records, with the Asian Man label established May 1996.-Artists:...
owner Mike Park
Mike Park
Mike Park is a Korean American musician and progressive activist. His musical ventures include Skankin' Pickle for whom he both played the saxophone and sang, The Chinkees, The Bruce Lee Band, and most recently an acoustic solo project under his own name...
in The Bruce Lee Band
The Bruce Lee Band
The Bruce Lee Band is the name given to the releases of Mike Park and his backing band which has so far included Less Than Jake and the Rx Bandits....
(former sax player Derron also provided horns on some of the tracks).
Buddy is involved in a side band called PB&J; in which he provides the bass, vocals and occasional trombone, as well as the bands Black Ice that he plays all instruments for. Buddy is one half of Coffee Project along with Jake Crown who released a self-titled album on the aforementioned Paper and Plastick http://www.Paperandplastick.Com label. Together they decided that "a couple of acoustic guitars and a trombone was all they really needed".
Chris has been recording his own solo music while not working with Less Than Jake. He is a guest vocalist on the 2010 album The Seven Degrees Of Stephen Egerton by Descendents
Descendents
The Descendents are an American punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California. As of 2011, they have released six studio albums, three live albums, three compilation albums and three EPs. The Descendents broke up and reformed several times over the years, sometimes with different musicians...
guitarist Stephen Egerton
Stephen Egerton
Stephen Patrick O'Reilly , better known as Stephen Egerton , is an American guitarist, best known for his work playing with The Descendents and All....
.
Former bassist Shaun Grief joined hardcore punk band Victim Youth out of Fort Myers, FL in 2007.
Personnel
Current members- Chris Demakes - guitar, lead vocals(1992–present)
- Roger ManganelliRoger ManganelliRoger Manganelli is the bassist and one of the two lead vocalists for ska-punk band Less Than Jake. He is also the lead vocalist and guitarist for Rehasher, and drummer for Greenhorn...
- bass, lead vocals, second guitar (occasionally live and while recording)(1993–present) - Vinnie FiorelloVinnie FiorelloVinnie Fiorello is an American drummer, lyricist and founding member of the ska punk band Less Than Jake. As a child, Vinnie's family owned a dog named Jake who was "treated like a king" according to the band's website FAQ page. As a result, everything in the house became "Less Than Jake",...
- drums, lyrics (1992–present) - Buddy "Goldfinger" Schaub - trombone, bass (plays bass guitar when Manganelli plays second guitar at concerts)(1993–present)
- Peter "JR" Wasilewski - saxophone, background vocals (2000–present)
Past members
- Shaun Grief - bass(1992–1993)
- Jessica Mills - alto saxophone(1993–1998)
- Derron Nuhfer - tenor and baritone saxophones(1995–2000)
- Pete Anna - alto trombone (1998–2001)
- Chris Campisi - bass(¿?)
Discography
Studio albums- PezcorePezcorePezcore is the first full-length album released by the ska punk band Less Than Jake, originally released on Dill Records in 1995. The album was later reissued on Asian Man, but was missing two tracks found on the Dill version .In 2002, Less Than Jake released a tenth anniversary version of Pezcore...
(1995) - Losing StreakLosing StreakLosing Streak is the third album by ska punk band Less Than Jake and the band's first album with Capitol Records. The album was recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida and Mirror Image Studios in Gainesville, Florida, both with producer Michael Rosen. Drums and bass were recorded at the...
(1996) - Hello RockviewHello RockviewHello Rockview is the third major album written by ska punk band Less Than Jake. It was released on October 6, 1998, and is their second and final album on Capitol Records. The album was recorded at Mirror Image Studios in Gainesville, Florida, once again with producer Howard Benson. This is the...
(1998) - Borders & BoundariesBorders & Boundaries- Personnel :* Chris Demakes - guitar, vocals* Roger Manganelli - bass guitar, vocals* Vinnie Fiorello - drums, lyrics* Buddy Schaub - trombone* Pete Anna - trombone* Derron Nuhfer - additional baritone saxophone...
(2000) - Anthem (2003)
- B Is for B-sidesB Is for B-sidesB Is for B-sides is a 12 track album by Less Than Jake. It is composed of songs recorded for the album Anthem that did not make the release. The album was released in 2004 by Sire Records...
(2004) - In With the Out CrowdIn with the Out CrowdIn with the Out Crowd is the sixth studio album by ska-punk band Less Than Jake, released on May 23, 2006. Drummer and lyricist, Vinnie Fiorello, describes the record as "a mix of [previous albums] Hello Rockview, Borders and Boundaries and Anthem."Prior to the album's release, Vinnie stated that...
(2006) - GNV FLAGNV FLAGNV FLA is the seventh studio album by Less Than Jake, released on June 24, 2008. Guitarist Chris Demakes states that the band "wrote a quintessential Less Than Jake record" and that the album includes "lots of horns and lots of vocals."...
(2008)
External links
- Interview with Vinnie with Amped Up TV (video)
- 2008 Interview with Chris
- Interview: JR of Less Than Jake "In With the Out Crowd"
- Interview: ThoughtWorthy Media with Vinnie Fiorello (37:05)
- Interview: 93 Rock with JR and Buddy of Less Than Jake
- Interview: TruePunk.com from the late 90's
- Interview: Burning Stars with Chris and JR
- Interview: Burning Stars with JR
- Interview: Burning Stars with Vinnie
- Sleep It Off Not Just a Record Label for Less Than Jake Feature article. PlugInMusic.com
- Interview: The Alternative Star with JR, Roger and Buddy (2008)
- Anything But Sellouts, New Times Broward-Palm Beach 3.5.09
- Warped Tour 2009 Interview FazerMagazine.com