Less Than Jake

3/20/2009 Experienced yet enthusiastic.  These ska-punk juggernauts held nothing back at their Cleveland tour stop.  Belting out classics from a variety of their albums, Less Than Jake proved they haven’t let up one bit.

Sitting down with bassist and vocalist Roger Manganelli before the band took to the stage, we discussed the band’s ordinary beginnings to their decade plus career of success.

“It’s what we do,” commented Manganelli.  It’s as easy as that.  The band doesn’t worry about where they’ve been or where their success takes them, the members merely focus on playing the music they love and enjoying one day to the next.  

From their small town of Gainesville, Florida, to the tours they now headline, the band is proud of their accomplishments.  While they often feel the weight of the “monster” known as being part of long tours and time away from home, Less Than Jake enjoys the “high energy” of their music and performances.

In their lyrics, the band often talks about their hometown.  Their most recent album GNV FLA is an abbreviation for that very city where their careers all started.  So many of their hits discuss leaving town and growing up…friends and special places that they never forget when they’re on the road.  

Manganelli stated, “Home is what we know and it’s where we live.”  He went on to talk about how it might just be an average town to most, but it’s still a significant part of their lives.  While Manganelli talked about the excitement of being on tour, he emphasized how the group could never replace the joy and relaxation of going back home.

As the band arrived on stage at the House of Blues, the audience was met with instantaneous energy.  The horns and guitars blared.  The mosh pit began.  The band fervently played new hits and old to the approval of everyone at the venue.

Highlights of the night included songs like “Surrender”, “All My Best Friends are Metalheads”, and “This One’s Gonna Leave a Bruise.”  Yet, each song was rough driving.  Just what Less Than Jake fans have come to expect and appreciate.

Over the next few months, Less Than Jake will continue touring the U.S. and then embark to Asia and Central America.  After seeing this band live, it clearly goes down as one of the most fun shows I’ve ever been to.  The band has been to so many places and certainly values the fans that have supported them along the way.

Photos and write-up by Keith Mokris for theLIVEstorybook.com