It’s not common for a popular band to come from a college town, but Gainesville has hatched some very cool musicians. Among them, about 21 years ago, came the ska-punk-rock band, Less Than Jake.
The quintet of dudes (four attended UF) have found a following not only from The Swamp but around the world; touring with Warped Tour for more than a decade and touring in places like Japan, the U.K. and South America.
Last year, the band decided to do a two-night show in Gainesville for friends, fans and family — something it had always wanted to do but typically had conflicts with touring. The event was called Wake and Bake Weekend, and with the turnout and fun they had, the guys decided to start making it an annual thing.
“The Wake and Bake Weekend is because of the success we’ve had, we’re allowed to do something like three nights of shows in our hometown and just be able to make an event for long-time fans and new fans to be able to sort of hear the history of Less Than Jake,” drummer and lyricist Vinnie Fiorello said. “We’re primarily a live band as well. If you’re a fan of the band and haven’t seen us live, you’re missing out on a huge portion of who we are.”
Less Than Jake’s 2nd Annual Wake and Bake Weekend will begin Aug. 30 and finish Sept. 1 with the band headlining each night after opening acts of similar music genres.
“[The bands opening] are not only bands that we think people will love but bands that have had some involvement with us,” bassist and vocalist Roger Manganelli said.
This year’s event will include a Less Than Jake yard sale, which will give fans the opportunity to buy rare items like old records and stage props. The band members will be hosting a tailgate during the Gators game and playing an acoustic show on Sunday morning. They will also be playing “Anthem,” one of their most popular records, in its entirety Sunday night. “Anthem” is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and features the popular song “The Science of Selling Yourself Short.”
The High Dive is a meaningful place for the band. It’s where Manganelli first saw and was inspired by Green Day and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones in the early ’90s, when it was called The Covered Dish. Less Than Jake played one of its first club shows there.
“It’s a place that has a lot of history for the band but also a lot of history for the Gainesville music scene,” Fiorello said. “It’s a cool place for us to be able to play and do more than just one night.”
Fiorello gave some insight on how the band has continued to strive for more than two decades.
“Not to be cliché, but it’s just hard work,” he said. “You have that side of it, which is what we put in, but the other side of it is what we get out, and I think that the fans have been there and kind of fueled that engine for the band to keep going. You need both sides in order for the band to have longevity.”
Tickets can be purchased in advanced for $15 for each night by searching “Less Than Jake” at www.ticketweb.com. The High Dive is an 18 and older venue unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. A $2 under-21 fee will be charged at the door.
Just to add some more hype, the band has recorded and will release its newest 13-track album, “See The Light,” on Nov. 12.
“The new record is all about the light at the end of the tunnel,” Fiorello said.
It is very true to the band. Songs were written and played in their local warehouse and recorded at Mangelli’s studio, Moathouse Productions.
“Every record that we’ve done is different. I think this is the first record that we’ve done in a long time that is one cohesive thought, and that’s what an album is supposed to be,” Fiorello said. “This album feels like a complete thought from start to finish.”
The band will begin its North American Fat Wreck Chords tour for the new album at the start of November. The dates can be found at its website, http://www.lessthanjake.com/shows. Until then, local fans are encouraged to come to the High Dive next weekend.
“We hope to see everyone at Wake and Bake,” Manganelli said. “It’s awesome to be from Gainesville and feel hometown love; some bands don’t get that. Gainesville really embraces us being around for 21 years.”
This story originally ran on page 8 on 8/22/2013 under the headline "Less Than Jake in Gainesville for Wake and Bake Weekend"
Less Than Jake vocalist and bassist Roger Manganelli plays at the High Dive during the band’s Wake and Bake event in 2012. The band will perform t at the High Dive Aug. 30-Aug. 31.
