Vocalist and guitarist Chris DeMakes, drummer Vinnie Fiorello, and bassist Shaun Grief were originally part of a band known as Good Grief. A couple of years passed from the formation and the line up was finally in place ahead of the release of their first full length album as Less Than Jake.
'Pezcore' was released in 1995 through Dill Records and became the launching platform for the band. It was an ambitious record, featuring a mammoth 21 tracks from the band's early writing and recordings along with two covers of TV theme tunes. This record gained the band attention on both sides of the Atlantic, and the follow-up 'Losing Streak' dented the UK album chart. Following their early notoriety the band had the opportunity to share stages with huge acts such as Blink 182 on the Race Around Uranus Tour and Descendents on the Caffeine Nation Tour. This intense tour schedule and support from peers meant that Less Than Jake remained a constant on the US Heatseekers chart.
Their next album 'Hello Rockview' appeared on the Billboard and the UK album charts within the top 100. Their peak chart positions were achieved in 2003 with 'Anthem' which reached #45 in the US and #37 in the UK which featured two hit singles 'She's Gonna Break Soon' and 'The Science of Selling Yourself Short'. They have consistently released albums and EPs over their career and have performed and recorded as a unit since their formation which is an impressive feat for any band.
With over 20 years together as a band, you'd have thought that experience and a more mature age would have tamed their live experience. Luckily that's not the case with Less Than Jake. The energy and enthusiasm they put into their shows puts much longer bands to shame.
They always manage to get the crowd fired up, whether it's skanking along to ska infused songs like Johnny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts or creating a huge circle pit to more punky anthems like Plastic Cup Politics.
With a huge back catalogue and a tendency to off script, you never know what will happen next. Whether it's trying to create the worlds largest human tower or getting the fattest men in the room up on stage to show off their best dancing skills, there's always something new. If you want be be entertained and like your punk with a ska twist, Less Than Jake are not to be missed.