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.
The original line up coalesced in 1991 originally under the name Jack Kevorkian and the Suicide Machines. This formation included Jason Navarro (vocals), Dan Lukacinsky (guitar), Jason Brake (bass), and Stefan Rairigh (drums). Over the course of the 1st three years the group experienced several line up changes. Rairigh was replaced by Bill Jennings who was in turn replaced by Derek Grant. The position of bass also opened and closed a few times. Jason Brace was proceeded by Dave Smith, but this lasted only brief time until Royce Nunley took up the role. By this point the group truncated Jack Kevorkian from their name and released their split album with the Rudiments, “Shank for Brains”.
1995 saw the band sign to the Walt Disney subsidiary, Hollywood Records and by 1996 they issued their studio debut album, “Destruction by Definition”. Their sound took musical cues from ska pioneers like The Specials, hardcore punk acts such as Bad Brains, and pinnacle new wavers like the English Beat. It was quickly accepted by the punk community and they even scored a moderate hit with their single “No Face”.
Their follow up album “Battle Hymns” came out in 1998 and acted as a continuation of their ska-core sound. It featured songs that exploded with catchy melodic riffs and blasts of punctual brass. The songs rarely hit over the two minute marker, seeming to disintegrate with visceral excitement before one realized it had begun. The album peaked at no. 127 on the Billboard 200 and it’s track “Give” was included in the Disney original movie “Brink!”.
The Suicide Machines released their 3rd self-titled album on 15 February 2005. The album was spearheaded by the single “Sometimes I Don’t Mind” and closed with the Joe South cover “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden”. The latter of the tracks appeared in the 1999 film “SLC Punk” starring Matthew Lillard and Jason Segel. A year later they issued their album “Steal This Record”, which included an R.E.M. cover and in 2002 they put out their compilation album “The Least Worst of the Suicide Machines”.
The group switched over to the label Side One Dummy in 2003 and issued the albums “A Match and Some Gasoline” and “War Profiteering Is Killing Us All”. Navarro also developed a record label of his own entitled Noise Riot Records” and put out the Suicide Machines’ 2nd compilation album “On The Eve of Destruction: 1991-1995” through it.
The group suddenly broke up in 2006, but have since reformed, playing their 1st reunion show in 2009. From 2010-2014 they have played various festivals like the Fest 9 and Riot Fest as well as sporadic gigs here and there. In 2015 they scheduled a two week tour, in which they would perform their album “The Definition of Destruction” in it’s entirety.
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.
james-faulkner
I have been a fan of 90’s bands for a long time. Rancid and Goldfinger are two of my favorite bands. A friend of mine knew this and he recommended a band called Suicide Machines. He described them as somewhere between Rancid and Goldfinger.
This made me curious. After listening to the CD, I was immediately hooked. I had to see this band live.They passed through my area a few times as part of a larger tour. I considered seeing them this way, but I always decided against it. I wanted to see them perform a full set, not just a few songs.
I finally got my chance. Suicide machines were scheduled to play a show in my area. I bought my tickets and waited.The day of the show finally arrived. I was so excited. My nervous energy might be helpful at the show, so I didn’t try to control it. When I arrived at the venue, I was ready. I looked at other members of the crowd, and felt solidarity.
We were going to have fun together. The band dove head first into their first song. The crowd went crazy. Over two hours of amazing music and we still wanted more. The band gave an encore and wished us a safe trip home. They were great. I had never had so much fun at a concert before.
I was SO excited when my friends asked me to go with them to see A Wilhem Scream live. It was amazing. First of all, the guys up on stage had such an enthusiasm and energy it was sure to fill the entire place.
They were so awesome, and good with the crowd. Oh man were they amazing at keeping us entertained and engaged in the show. In between each song they would converse with the audience and ask us questions and even take song requests! I love their music too and I found myself on my feet for the entire show.
My feet were sore the next day. And, my throat was too. I left with no voice from screaming their songs at the top of my lungs. Even the songs I didn't know I was singing to the chorus by the end of them. And the band encouraged us to sing along; at several points giving us the microphone so we could be heard louder. It made me feel like an integral part of the show.
I absolutely enjoyed myself 100 percent that night. Would love to see these guys live again sometime. The only thing I would do differently is get closer seats! I would love to be in the mosh pit area.
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