American ska punk band Less Than Jake formed in 1992 in Florida, USA. Released in 1995, ‘Pezcore’ was their full-length debut and contained such fan favourites as ‘Johnny Quest Thinks We’re Sellouts’. The band rank their debut as their least favourite LTJ album to date; the improved songwriting on subsequent recordings (e.g. 1998’s ‘Hello Rockview’) as well as major label backing gave their popularity a serious boost. Lyrically, Vinnie Fiorello’s observations on everyday life in urban America really hit home, a constant throughout the band’s quarter century existence. ‘Anthem’ (2003) took a more rock-oriented attitude and the brass section, which was always a point of contention between old and new fans, faded into the background, a process that was even more visible on follow-up ‘In with the Out Crowd’ (2005). LTJ continue to do their own thing in their own way while flipping the bird at every convention. Their most recent effort ‘Silver Linings’ is their first after the departure of drummer and creative force Vinnie Forello and ends a seven-year recording drought. Three decades into their career Less Than Jake sound as vibrant as any fledgling band and if ‘Silver Linings’ is any indication, their fourth stopover in Dessel is looking very promising. #GMM23
