Less Than Jake

Less Than Jake; More Than Ska
by Noah Beery

I think the reason Less Than Jake stands out so much is that they go beyond the call of duty. They aren’t just concerned with their ska/punk sound, or the crazy horns and rough guitars that back it. Loyalty, incredible business ethics and devotion to the fans are just three things that make or break a band, and Less Than Jake are making it.

With a hectic touring schedule that has been non-stop for the last three and a half years, LTJ has capitalized the marketing side of their gig. They recently signed a major label deal with Capitol Records and are working closely with the merchandising team, designing stickers, T-shirts and album covers. Their new CD, Hello Rockview, hit the stores in late ’98, and is on the way to passing up sales figures from their previous and first Capitol release, Losing Streak. I caught up with Vinnie, LTJ’s drummer, while they were getting ready to play a gig in Reno.

So you’re in Reno right now. Are you gambling now?

The show starts around eight, and we’ll be gambling by midnight. It’s like a mini Las Vegas.

How’s the reaction in Florida to the ska style you produce.

The reaction is definitely supportive. Most of these people knew our band before they knew what ska was. We have been here for six years doing the same thing we are doing. So, they just know us as Less Than Jake, and not as a part of a genre. I am really stoked about that.

You guys put on cheap shows and are real loyal to fans. Tell me about this.

Think about it "ethos" wise. All ages shows, low priced doors. Our merchandise starts at $6 for shirts and goes up to $12. We don’t only have that, we have major label releases that start at $8.99, which is cheaper than our indie releases. When we signed to a major label, we didn’t take any advance at all, and instead went for freedom in our contract. Capitol only deals with records distribution. We have the freedom to do what we want when we want to. I grew up on punk rock and that’s what I intend to have our band as.

How was the transition to Capitol from a smaller label?

It was smooth. You can’t go to a major label and expect them to turn your band into something else. You need to work, stick to a program and do what you have to do. To people who think that this is a magical wand that they hit on your head and you turn into a fucking star, they’re full of shit and they’ll never go anywhere.

Were the BackStreet Boys lucky?

Yeah, they never played a show in their life until they signed. It’s a joke. Also Spice Girls or Alannis Morisette. They never played a show and all of a sudden here it is.

How’s the response to Hello Rockview?

It’s been good. Kids who like our band are still into it and we kind of stepped up the production on it. I am pleased with it. It’s a baby step forward for our band but it is still who we are. We went out and tried to vary things up a little so it wouldn’t be Losing Streak part 2.

How did you get into music?

My mother and father used to work late at night so, my brother, who is four years older than me, would baby-sit me. He took me to see bands like DRI and Minor Threat, so the early punk scene in New Jersey was where it was at. I got to see these classic bands and he really turned me on to punk rock. I went from KISS to punk rock with nothing in between. Later, I got into Motley Crue and Poison. It wasn’t that big of a jump because my brother was the one who started me. He played guitar and I played drums and we used to play in the basement. My brother was the one

These days, people say that the whole punk/ska/pop genre all sounds the same. What makes you different?

Lyrics… Lyrics, straight across the board. When our co-patriots in Ska/Punk are talking about their relationships and how their girlfriends suck, or drinking beers and moshing in pits, ours are more social commentary lyrics. They have substance, some meat to the bone. It’s like candy, it sticks to the bones.

Where did the name come from?

My parents had an English Bulldog named Jake that weighed about 85 lbs. My dad loved that dog. It had a spot on the couch and my dad would even go to Red Lobster to get the dog food. So, everything in that house got treated less than Jake. Hence the name.

How’s the response in European audiences?

Europe caters to Americans except for France. They could give two fucks about Americans. Everything’s in French.

Have you been to Amsterdam?

Oh yeah! It’s an amazing time. You will go there and be looking in a glass case and there will be shit like Blonde Hash, Afghanian Hash and a bud they call Ice. You will be a kid in a candy store. Do yourself a favor when you go there: Find a coffee shop with "Space Cake" in it. It is vanilla cake made with basically liquid THC. It’s an amazing bright hashish high. Try it out!

Besides music, what’s important to you?

Pez. I collect Pez. All of us in the band collect shit.

What’s the future look like?

We are doing this year’s Warped Tour and going to Japan, Australia and Europe. At our live show, you will see guys blowing fire, confetti machines and lots of free shit. Come check us out!

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