More than punk
By Daily Bruin Staff
Sept. 24, 2000 9:00 p.m.
 MINDY ROSS/Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Roger, vocalist and bassist for Less Than Jake,
turns away as a tour member launches toilet paper into the crowd at
an Aug. 11 show.
By Mariko Obrero
Daily Bruin Contributor
Vinnie, Less Than Jake’s drummer and main lyricist, has a
very specific ritual that he completes before every show.
“I drink a Snapple lemon iced tea, listen to Dillinger
Four, smoke two cigarettes, practice for 30 minutes, and then piss
in a cup before going onstage,” he said in a recent
interview.
Playing live is a specialty for the six-member outfit that is
well known for its outrageous stage disguises. The band which
doesn’t use last names, is comprised of Vinnie,
guitarist/vocalist Chris, bassist/vocalist Roger, trombonists Buddy
and Pete, and baritone saxophonist Derron. Additionally, Less Than
Jake is notorious for an extensive Pez and toy collection. It is no
wonder that Less Than Jake’s performances never disappoint
since each is complete with confetti machines, toilet paper rolls
and or fire.
Since the band’s 1993 development, the punk/ska group has
toured relentlessly nine months out of the year and has had over
130 album, EP, compilation, and single releases.
 MINDY ROSS/ Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Roger’s intensity helps excite the crowd
during an Aug. 11 show at the Key Club. “We are and have been
a live band, primarily, and we’ve worked that angle.
It’s been almost like an afterthought: do all the touring,
and then we have to go do a record,” Vinnie said.
Such is the case for the upcoming fall release of Less Than
Jake’s sixth full-length album slated for an Oct. 24 release
date on Fat Wreck Chords. The album, titled “Borders and
Boundaries,” is described by the band as “more open,
more varied, and intricate” than previous albums.
“Borders” took a lengthy eight weeks to record at
Hollywood’s Grand Master Recordings compared to the
band’s previous recordings, which were usually finished in a
week or two. This effort promises to exhibit the band’s
musical growth and a more polished sound since more instruments and
studio time were used during recording.
Vinnie explained some of the band’s recent changes
including a move from Capitol Records to the independent label, Fat
Wreck Chords.
“There was too much red tape. We’re a punk band with
punk ethics. It’s very difficult to retain ethics in the
music industry,” Vinnie said.
Less Than Jake is renowned for keeping ticket and merchandise
prices low in the interest of fans. However, continuing with the
same approach while on a bigger label, became a struggle since
marketing strategies are constructed in a very specific way. Tour
offers were fairly inflexible and choosing not to partake in
certain deals ended up cutting the band’s budget. This
prevented the band from doing exactly what it wanted.
 MINDY ROSS/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Less Than Jake
ignites a fire as part of their Aug. 11 show.
But residing on an independent label allows for less
formality.
“We love touring and recording with our friends,”
Vinnie said.
Some of the band’s favorite tour companions have been The
Descendants, ALL and Guttermouth.
“There’s good and bad to both independent and major
labels. There’s always exceptions, always a gray area.
Nothing’s definitive at all. This is the case in life, not
just the music industry,” Vinnie said.
Along the same lines, he proceeded to discuss the creation of
sub-genres and how such specificity creates division and
exclusiveness.
“Music is about what you dig. It’s about breaking
down walls. Of course it’s possible to listen to all types of
music and like all types of bands,” Vinnie said.
This thought was furthered by examples of sub-genres such as
emo, hardcore, ska, and a number of punk sub-group variations.
“A person who likes Iron Maiden might also like Avail, as
well as Dillinger Four,” Vinnie said.
Vinnie’s observations make sense and he has the insight to
back them up. He’s been in punk bands since he was 18 and has
watched the scene change, but more importantly, he’s been a
music fan his entire life and grew up with all sorts of rock, punk
and heavy metal influences.
“There are corporate men who make a lot of money and dress
conservatively that think and behave more punk rock than a kid with
a mohawk at a show. Things aren’t always so simple,”
Vinnie said.
Vinnie’s perceptiveness and humor is also evident in his
creative analogies. During the interview, his eyes lit up as he sat
up from his previously reclined position. Using his hands, he spoke
as an old friend in casual conversation.
“It’s like we’re a two-headed hydra beast.
Part of the band has this side with skull heads, fire, and
rifles,” he said, playfully. “Then there’s this
other half of us who is serious, taking anti-violence and anti-drug
stances. Take for example the song “˜Dopeman.’ The song
didn’t approve or disapprove of drugs. It posed a scenario, a
broader view.”
The band also had a headlining stint with the Ska Against Racism
tour in 1998 exhibiting its social consciousness.
Until “Borders and Boundaries” is released, Less
Than Jake’s tour schedule will not let up. After the release,
the band will support the album with more touring, leaving the
Gainesville, Fla. natives looking forward to visiting Europe,
Indonesia, Hong Kong, and their favorite destination, Japan.
