Ska-punk rockers Less Than Jake have been a household name for more than two decades, and are celebrating their 25th anniversary as a band in 2017. Kicking the party off right away, the quintet from Gainesville, Florida released Sound the Alarm via Pure Noise Records on February 3 –- their first release in four years. The EP is sure to attract old and new fans alike, and is more than worthy of a few listens.
Sound the Alarm features seven new tracks, highlighted by the infectious chorus of “Good Sign,” the progressive anthem “Call to Arms” and the less-emphatic “Years of Living Dangerously.” Vocals and guitar offerings from Chris Demakes are as strong as ever, basslines and additional vocals from Roger Lima are concise and commanding, lyricist Vinnie Fiorello keeps steady with up-tempo drumming and Buddy Schaub and Peter Wasilewski continue to complete the classic Less Than Jake ska-driven tones with their sax and trombone –- a triumphant return for LTJ following their previous release See the Light in 2013.
[Related: Backstage; A Less Than Jake Story]
The album was produced and recorded at the widely acclaimed The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, CO, and was finalized shortly after Less Than Jake’s run on the Vans Warped Tour in 2016. Vinnie Fiorello recently offered some additional insight on the process of crafting their latest release:
“We started writing this set of songs, similar to our last record ‘See The Light,’ sitting around a table in our warehouse with some acoustic guitars, lyrics scribbled on scraps of paper, and a constant barrage of ideas,” Fiorello explains. “Trying ideas as they would come out, sometimes chasing the idea, or getting connected or not connected to an idea right away. We had been writing and were planning on fleshing out the ideas while on Warped Tour.”
Order Sound the Alarm on iTunes by clicking HERE!
Less Than Jake – Sound The Alarm Tracklist
1.) Call to Arms
2.) Whatever the Weather
3.) Bomb Drop
4.) Welcome to My Life
5.) Good Sign
6.) Years of Living Dangerously
7.) Things Change
LTJ On Tour:
Less Than Jake is currently on the road co-headlining with Pepper promoting their new release and celebrating their 25 years and will be touring throughout February into March. They will also be featured on the Warped Rewind at Sea Tour which sets sail for Cozumel October 28. Check back for more tour updates soon!
Related Links:
Less Than Jake Website
Less Than Jake Facebook
Less Than Jake Twitter
Article By: Brian Glaser
Listen: Less Than Jake – “Good Sign”