Where to Start With...Less Than Jake
Celebrating an amazing 2 decades together this very year, it is by no means an exaggeration when I say that Less Than Jake have earned their place as, without a doubt, punks premiere party band. The ska-punk outfit from Gainesville Florida have skanked and parped their way to the very top with an
infectious blend of wild yet joyful punk inspired tomfoolery that utilizes saxophone, trumpet and oodles of melody. Less Than Jake have an amazing 8 full length L.P’s under their belts as well as countless E.P.s and 7 inch records and have penned countless anthems that are sure to get even the most cynical curmudgeon on their feet dancing like a loon. They also put on a killer live show and have tireless work ethic, both of which have no doubt contributed to the bands longevity. Ska, as a genre, may be viewed as exceedingly uncool and the scene is certainly long dead so it’s an enormous credit to bands like Less Than Jake that have kept the party going and as a result are more popular than ever.
infectious blend of wild yet joyful punk inspired tomfoolery that utilizes saxophone, trumpet and oodles of melody. Less Than Jake have an amazing 8 full length L.P’s under their belts as well as countless E.P.s and 7 inch records and have penned countless anthems that are sure to get even the most cynical curmudgeon on their feet dancing like a loon. They also put on a killer live show and have tireless work ethic, both of which have no doubt contributed to the bands longevity. Ska, as a genre, may be viewed as exceedingly uncool and the scene is certainly long dead so it’s an enormous credit to bands like Less Than Jake that have kept the party going and as a result are more popular than ever.
The Essential Purchase: "Hello Rockview" (1998)
Let’s face it,1998’s “Hello Rockview” could be viewed as an essential purchase simply because it contains the wonderful “All My Best Friends are Metalheads”, a song so catchy and uplifting it feels like a massive sugar rush every time you listen. “...Metalheads” is the song that garnered less than Jake international fame and sent them soaring into the stratosphere but “Hello Rockview” is so much more than THAT key change. Filled with perfectly executed, melodious and downright danceable ska punk anthems the record is a joy from start to finish. You won’t find a track on here that isn’t going to want to make you dance and sing along at the top of your lungs. Classics like “History of a Boring Town”, “Nervous In the Alley” and personal favourite “Scott Farcas Takes It On the Chin” are live staples to this day and always go down a storm. This is a simply perfect Ska punk record that makes every day feel like it’s the middle of July.
The Fan Favourite: "Losing Streak" (1996)
Thrashy, scrappy and criminally under-produced “Losing Streak” could be viewed as a major turning
point for the band. They were a young band still finding their feet and there are some hooks that are buried beneath all the chaos but it is also the record
that shows the band growing as songwriters and honing their melodic craft. There are some wonderful moments on “Losing Streak” such as the peppy “Sugar and Your Gas Tank" and fan favourite “Johnny Quest thinks we’re Sellouts” but there are a few others that feel rushed and unfinished. It is a very good record from such a young and inexperienced band and there are even some hardcore sections of the fanbase that insist this record is better than “Hello Rockview”. I think that may be stretching things a bit too far but if there is one record in Less Than Jake’s extensive discography that captures the manic energy of the live show, this is most certainly it.
point for the band. They were a young band still finding their feet and there are some hooks that are buried beneath all the chaos but it is also the record
that shows the band growing as songwriters and honing their melodic craft. There are some wonderful moments on “Losing Streak” such as the peppy “Sugar and Your Gas Tank" and fan favourite “Johnny Quest thinks we’re Sellouts” but there are a few others that feel rushed and unfinished. It is a very good record from such a young and inexperienced band and there are even some hardcore sections of the fanbase that insist this record is better than “Hello Rockview”. I think that may be stretching things a bit too far but if there is one record in Less Than Jake’s extensive discography that captures the manic energy of the live show, this is most certainly it.
The Experimental: "Anthem" (2004)
Less Than Jake certainly tried to pull out all the stops for this, their major label debut. The band made a conscious decision, in the wake of Ska’s post millennium decline in popularity, to scale back the horn section in favour of more standard pop-punk fare. That is not to say that the record isn’t an ambitious and daring piece of work by a band on the precipice of superstardom. The band threw the kitchen sink at this record and while great, the myriad of styles can leave the record feeling a bit patchy in places. But that all depends on what kinds of songs you expect. Various genres of music including Ska, punk, reggae, motown and power-pop are mixed together to create an exciting and varied amalgamation of songs in a way that makes no two sound the same. It isn’t Less Than Jakes most cohesive albums but “Anthem” is, without a doubt, one of their most interesting.
The Overlooked: "B is for B Sides" (2005)
In this reviewers opinion it is a cardinal sin to overlook and album just because it is a B-side record. They often contain some great moments and if not great, interesting to say the least. Less Than Jake’s post anthem B side release, aptly titled “B is for B sides” is certainly no exception to this rule. The record contains some of the bands best moments and is as exhilarating a ride as any of their “proper” releases. From the bouncy Ska of “Portrait of a Cigarette Smoker at 19” to the frantic thrash of “National Anthem", this record is a thrill to listen to. The record sounds fresh, most likely as a result of being completely unrestrained and free from the often paralysing rules and demands often placed upon bands by labels and producers. Fast, furious and as melodic as ever this record is 27 minutes of pure Less Than Jake bliss.
The Return to Form: GNVFLA (2008)
After the extremely disappointing “In With The Out Crowd” album and a less than amicable split with the Warner Music label Less Than Jake had a lot of soul searching to do and tough choices to make. 15 years in, the choice was either to split up and go out with a wimper or attempt to rediscover what made them sound so fun, fresh and exciting in the first place. Free from any label obligations, Less than Jake decided to put out their next record on their own label and do things their way. The amazing and glorious GNVFLA brought the horns back to the fore and as a result is a record that bristles with energy,enthusiasm and excitement. This record sees Less Than Jake performing to their very best and they seem to be enjoying every minute of it. The songs are extremely well written and are delivered with the kind of vim, vigour and verve that fans have every right to expect and demand. Songs like “Does The Lion City Still Roar?”and “This One’s Going to Leave a Bruise” rank up there with the bands very best work. The sheer amount of energy and passion put into the record gives one hope that the band will continue to party for years to come.
The Essential Less Than Jake Playlist
My Very Own Flag (Pezz Core)
Sugar In Your Gas Tank (Losing Streak)
Johnny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts (Losing Streak)
Jen Doesn't Like Me Anymore (Losing Streak)
All My Best Friends are Metalheads (Hello Rockview)
Nervous in The Alley (Hello Rockview)
History Of a Boring Town (Hello Rockview)
Scott Farcas Takes It On the Chin (Hello Rockview)
Gainseville Rock City (Borders and Bounderies)
The Science of Selling Youself Short (Anthem)
Look What Happend (Anthem)
Best Wishes To Your Black Lung (Anthem)
Plastic Cup Politics (Anthem)
Bridge and Tunnel Authority (B is for B Sides)
Jay Frenzal (B is for B sides)
National Anthem (B is for B Sides)
Don't Fall Asleep On The Subway (In With The Out Crowd)
Does The Lion City Still Roar? (GNVFLA)
Conviction Notice (GNVFLA)
This One's Going to Leave a Bruise (GNVFLA)
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Sugar In Your Gas Tank (Losing Streak)
Johnny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts (Losing Streak)
Jen Doesn't Like Me Anymore (Losing Streak)
All My Best Friends are Metalheads (Hello Rockview)
Nervous in The Alley (Hello Rockview)
History Of a Boring Town (Hello Rockview)
Scott Farcas Takes It On the Chin (Hello Rockview)
Gainseville Rock City (Borders and Bounderies)
The Science of Selling Youself Short (Anthem)
Look What Happend (Anthem)
Best Wishes To Your Black Lung (Anthem)
Plastic Cup Politics (Anthem)
Bridge and Tunnel Authority (B is for B Sides)
Jay Frenzal (B is for B sides)
National Anthem (B is for B Sides)
Don't Fall Asleep On The Subway (In With The Out Crowd)
Does The Lion City Still Roar? (GNVFLA)
Conviction Notice (GNVFLA)
This One's Going to Leave a Bruise (GNVFLA)
BadIdeaDan for MLM