Less Than Jake
Biography
Although formed in 1992 as a power pop trio with heavy punk leanings, Less Than Jake steadily transformed into a ska-inspired punk band with the addition of a horn section. Vocalist/guitarist Chris Demakes, bassist Shaun, and drummer/lyricist Vinnie Fiorello formed the first incarnation of the group, which took root in Gainesville, FL. After Shaun became the group's roadie, however, he was replaced by bassist Roger Manganelli, who picked up the instrument just to join the band. During 1993-1994, the group added its first horn player, Jessica, and soon after came trombone player Buddy Schaub. Right before their first tour, however, Schaub went to Europe with friends, so saxophonist Derron Nuhfer filled in for shows during his absence.
With various 7" releases under their belt, Less than Jake debuted in 1994 with the album Pezcore, on Dill Records. Losers, Kings & Things We Don't Understand and Greased followed on No Idea until the group signed with Capitol for its major-label debut, 1996's 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" and "Jen Doesn't Like Me Anymore. " Upon the album's completion, Jessica left to pursue teaching, and (ex-Slapstick trombonist) Pete came on board. Around this time, Fiorello also started his own record label, Fueled by Ramen, with friend John Janick. Hello Rockview followed in 1998, and spawned a minor college radio hit with "History of a Boring Town." In fall 2000, the band released Borders & Boundaries on Fat Wreck, as well as landing the opening spot on Bon Jovi's North American tour.
Nuhfer left the band after the album's recording (and later went on to join Gunmoll), and Less Than Jake found his replacement in ex-Spring Heel Jack horn player Pete Wasilewski -- though to avoid any name confusion within the band, the second Pete was dubbed JR, and remained JR even after the first Pete decided to leave soon after the 2001 Warped Tour. Over the years, Less Than Jake has issued more 7" and limited-edition vinyl releases than most people can keep track of, so the bandmembers compiled some of their favorite tracks on one record for 2002's Goodbye Blue and White, named in honor of their original tour van. Anthem followed in 2003 for Sire; B Is for B-Sides was issued a year later, comprised of tracks that did not make it to Anthem's final cut. The DVD retrospective People's History of Less Than Jake appeared a month later. The four-song EP Absolution for Idiots and Addicts was released in April 2006, with their next full-length, In with the Out Crowd, following a month later. The latter's album slicker, pop-oriented nature received mixed reactions from fans. In 2007, Less Than Jake announced that they had left Warner Bros.; a year later, the group formed the Sleep It Off label and released GNV FLA, an album loosely based on (and dedicated to) their hometown. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
Selected Discography

Borders & Boundries
2000

Hello Rockview
1998

Losing Streak
1996

Pezcore: 10 Year Special Edition
1995
Less than jake is freakin amazing! They actually have talent! You can tell because they got rid of Warner Bros. and started their own label, which also records unsigned artists! I wanna meet em :D I love how when Johnny Quest called em out they wrote a song. Its like a d**k slap to the face to
Johnny Quest |
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I saw my first Less Than Jake show this year at the House of Blues in Cleveland. The show was really entertaining and full of energy. LTJ interacted with crowd really well and they were always trying to make everyone laugh during the show. I think that "Does the Lion City Still Roar?" is the best they have released song since "Hello Rockview."
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they rock!! been listing to them since i was 15 and im 29 now. they still rockin out. and they are down to earth guys. i got the chance to meet them when they played with snoop dog a couple of years ago at nissan pavillion.
"just wanna smoke ciggaretts, be the one with the loudest mouth, be the most closed minded!!" |
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Apparently the point of Johnny Quest's post is lost on most people.
+1 for you. I remember listening to LTJ a lot as a teen. Damn that seemed like a long time ago. |
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been listening to ltj since i was i think 14... for the past 3 to 4 years i have been into hardcore metal, i just listen to Gnv Fla, and i relived all of my teen years and it is just amazing to know they went back to their roots after the almost depressing in with the out crowd mess they put out last.
i am glad they are acting more like what influenced most of my youth |
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For people who dont know Johnny Quest was a band that Called them out. They were a band out of jacksonville Fl and they dont compare to LTJ aka my favorite band since i was in the 4th grade and now im 24
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Pezcore was the s**t. They lost me when they started covering grease, but I'm still down with the liquor store!!!!
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these guys stopped there set at the warped tour in little rock becuz sum fat guy was sitting down....they told him 2 get tha f**k up, its not an insurance seminar!! And he got up....everyo n e went crazy and they continued with the show....Grea t live!!
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one of the greatest punk rock bands out there... they been doin F-O-R-E-V-E- R . . NJ rocks the hardest...
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these guys played at the tremont music hall in charlotte several years ago. they all came out decked in fake surgical scrubs and were as funny as they are talented! they're silly as hell like nerf herder!
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Richard the Dick, look at the "sellout" comment again. Haha it was written by Johnny Quest.
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what happened to good ska? this is like watered down beer, no substance
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wat the hell is up with all the "sellout" comments ive been seeing? all of the douches making sellout comments on the band's artist page and being flatout dicks can lick my nutz. anyone can be wrong about anything, and that includes the douches making them comments. GO LTJ U GUYS RAWK
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LTJ is such a Sick Band! Put on a great show as well. Even the Warped tour crowd loves them. Johnny Quest thinks we're what? If you like this you should check out The Sugar Packets at www.myspace. c o m / t h e s u g a r p a c k e t s . Listen to the song Downhill Dilema. Kind of like Jewish Ska or something. Reminds me of Ska mixed with Fiddler on the Roof or something. It's absolutely amazing. LTJ Put on a killer show, and is definitely one of the most creative and unique ska band.
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These guys are pretty damn good. Their best albums are definitely Hello Rockview and B is for B-Sides.
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johnny quest was right! the older stuff is so much better anyways....
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Good stuff!
I got into them while living in Gainesville- ( a r o u n d '96) If you like their live show, eat a handful of Pez, and make the trip to Gainesville to see them play in front of their home crowd! WOW! |
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These dudes rule.I saw them with Reel Big Fish and streetlight a couple of months ago and it seriously was one of the best shows i've ever been 2.
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If you love Less than Jake, then you should check out a band called Baker Act! They are on myspace, seriously look these guys up!
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I cant wait to see them in St.Louis with Golfinger, and Big D. I already saw them and they seriously have one of the best live shows ever!
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im seeing them for my first time in worchester with suburban and goldfinger. im so pumped. best band ever right here
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these guys are the best!! ive seen them several times in concert. Always great! Gunna see them in Chi-town in July with Goldfinger, Mustard Plug, Suburban Legands, Big D and the Kids Table, and one other group. I cant freggin wait!!!
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luv u guys! ur my bro's bands insperation when it comes to music!!!! u rock!
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wow that seems really funny! but i was in line buying tickets when they were playing...
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yeah AAA was there, me and friends couldn't stop laughing at their cracked out trumpet player : D
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i agree that was the best show ever! LTJ RBF and streetlight were awesome!! wasnt Against All Authority there too? in the tempe arizona concert that is...
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the show with RBF and Streetlight was amazing, I had never seen Streetlight Manifesto before and they blew my mind, LTJ was soooo good, If I was into skinny, dreaded, people with aids I would have a crush on Roger ; )
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