GNV FLA is the latest release by Less
Than Jake, and the first on their own label,
Sleep it Off Records. The title of the album
shows their devotion to their hometown in
Central Florida. Having grown up in
Tampa Bay in the ‘90s, there were a lot of
bands that made it big, but most of them
were in the death metal scene. So, when
the boys of LTJ hit it big, there was finally
something for the punk and ska fans to be
proud of.
The year is 1994, I am a Sophomore at
Seminole High School with a background
Than Jake, and the first on their own label,
Sleep it Off Records. The title of the album
shows their devotion to their hometown in
Central Florida. Having grown up in
Tampa Bay in the ‘90s, there were a lot of
bands that made it big, but most of them
were in the death metal scene. So, when
the boys of LTJ hit it big, there was finally
something for the punk and ska fans to be
proud of.
The year is 1994, I am a Sophomore at
Seminole High School with a background
in band playing saxophone and clarinet. Some
guys I meet tell me they are starting a ska
band. At this point, the term “ska” is still
alien to me. I was an avid Operation Ivy and
Rancid fan, but I didn’t realize that the reggae-
esque tones in their diverse music were
actually ska. So, Tom puts a 7 inch record
onto the turntable and says, “here’s what we’
re going for”. The record is slipped out of a
photocopied jacket and placed onto the
turntable and soon I can hear the popping of a
record that had been properly worn down
from repeated listening.
I can’t say this first listening “changed my
life”, as the saying goes, but it definitely
opened my eyes to a whole new world. I then
picked up a copy of this self-pressed 7 inch,
Smoke Spot, and wore out my very own copy.
A month later, the same friend drove the van
(with all 6 members of Penfold, a shitty high
school band attempting to duplicate the talent
guys I meet tell me they are starting a ska
band. At this point, the term “ska” is still
alien to me. I was an avid Operation Ivy and
Rancid fan, but I didn’t realize that the reggae-
esque tones in their diverse music were
actually ska. So, Tom puts a 7 inch record
onto the turntable and says, “here’s what we’
re going for”. The record is slipped out of a
photocopied jacket and placed onto the
turntable and soon I can hear the popping of a
record that had been properly worn down
from repeated listening.
I can’t say this first listening “changed my
life”, as the saying goes, but it definitely
opened my eyes to a whole new world. I then
picked up a copy of this self-pressed 7 inch,
Smoke Spot, and wore out my very own copy.
A month later, the same friend drove the van
(with all 6 members of Penfold, a shitty high
school band attempting to duplicate the talent
and energy of LTJ) up to Gainesville to see
LTJ at some dive bar. The name of the bar
has since left me, but the experience never
will. They played with all of the energy of a
bitter gutter punk band trying to make their
anti-establishment statement heard, but with
the joy of a 16 year old landing her first lead
role in the school play.
From this point on, I went to every show
they played in Tampa Bay. 14 years later, I’
ve missed a few shows, but they remain one
of my favorite bands. Some of you may not
have been fortunate enough to be exposed to
them all those years ago, so let me fill you in
with a brief history.
Less Than Jake formed in Gainesville Rock
City in 1992. Three students at the
University of Florida, Chris Demakes (Guitar,
Vocals), Vinnie Fiorello (Drums), and Roger
Manganelli (Bass, Vocals) joined together to
form Less Than Jake. Soon after, the band
LTJ at some dive bar. The name of the bar
has since left me, but the experience never
will. They played with all of the energy of a
bitter gutter punk band trying to make their
anti-establishment statement heard, but with
the joy of a 16 year old landing her first lead
role in the school play.
From this point on, I went to every show
they played in Tampa Bay. 14 years later, I’
ve missed a few shows, but they remain one
of my favorite bands. Some of you may not
have been fortunate enough to be exposed to
them all those years ago, so let me fill you in
with a brief history.
Less Than Jake formed in Gainesville Rock
City in 1992. Three students at the
University of Florida, Chris Demakes (Guitar,
Vocals), Vinnie Fiorello (Drums), and Roger
Manganelli (Bass, Vocals) joined together to
form Less Than Jake. Soon after, the band
| | Home | Contents | Got Issues? | Calendar | Staff | Contact | Employment | |