Things have changed for Less Than Jake. The band liberated themselves from the stronghold of their major label home, Warner Bros. and decided to return to their roots by starting their own label, Sleep It Off Records, and after 16 years, eight records and a devoted fan base the move is hardly a gamble. Now the band will set its sights on re-releasing old material and putting out a brand new record.
Drummer Vinnie Fiorello has complete confidence in the band’s transition. “It came to a point where our band was a square peg and a major label is a round hole,” says Fiorello about the majors. “What really is a record label,” he continues, “More so like a bank? What are they providing that a band can’t provide?” Fiorello says anyone can start a record label with enough money and the right distribution. So in an effort to take things back to square one, LTJ rounded out by vocalist / guitarist Chris Demakes, bassist / vocalist Roger Manganelli, trombone player Buddy Schaub and Peter Wasilewski on saxophone and backing vocals will unleash the first of four re-releases with complimentary DVDs in mid March on Sleep It Off Records.
The re-releases begin with the band’s earliest recordings on Losers, Kings and Things We Don’t Understand, which Fiorello says is sort of a compilation CD, but has the band’s original recordings on it. The CD will also have a DVD of live performances from 1994 through 2007. The next re-release is Pezcore, which according to Fiorello is the original record “front to back” Pezcore will also feature a DVD of the full album show. Next are Goodbye Blue and White and a DVD entitled The People’s History of Less Than Jake. “We’re not trying to prove anything,” Fiorello explains. “Ultimately, it’s being in control of the audible history of our band. It’s a great feeling to be in charge of records from years and years ago,” he concludes.
According to Fiorello, it is friendship and a brotherly bond that has kept LTJ going for so many years. “There’s a certain chemistry that goes with being together for so long,” he says. The band definitely has a zealous group of fans and considering LTJ has not been completely embraced by mainstream radio and video markets, their success can truly be credited to their live show. Explains Fiorello, “People come back to see our band because we bring an entertaining factor in our live show.” “I think we had a video played on MTV eight times [and] a radio hit in 1998,” he says.
As LTJ continues their career they will find themselves quite busy in the coming months. In March the band is slated to enter the studio to begin recording a brand new record. “Your going to hear a different record,” says Fiorello. “There will be more horns, more ska and faster tempos, but I can’t promise anything until it’s done.” He also mentions that what the band has planned now may pan out differently by the time the record is pressed.
Even though there are certain stresses that go along with writing, recording and putting out a new record, Fiorello is pumped about the new material. “I’m excited about any new record and new songs,” he says. “I like hitting the reset button and starting over.”
The band does plan on hitting the road sometime this summer. It won’t be on Warped Tour either. “It’s hard to promote a record when there are 130 bands and you’re just one,” Fiorello explains.
So what kind of band is LTJ really? Can they be pigeonholed as a ska band or is there more to it? Fiorello is quick to point out that LTJ is in fact a punk band. “I’ve given the same answer for 16 years,” he says, “We’re a punk band with ska, pop and reggae overtones. What makes us a punk band is the velocity we play at.”
Now LTJ finds themselves in complete control of their own destiny. It’s the punk rock D.I.Y mentality. “We adhere to the same ethos as when we started,” says Fiorello. And in regard to the new record Fiorello says, “There’s no ultimate goal, no secret plan, just putting out a record.”
By: Adam K. Zakroczymski III - Senior Editor / Founder
