Less Than Jake Interview - Slam Dunk

JR's drawing of the interview we did. L-R Kiki, JR, Vinnie

Less Than Jake are synonymous with ‘veterans’. Having been prominent in the music scene for the best part of 2 decades, it’s not hard to see why that connection is so readily made. Yet, in spite of being clocking up the miles, they manage keep it surprisingly fresh. When music genres phase in and out of vogue, Less than Jake are always around with a solid fanbase. No matter how many times I've seen them play, no two shows are ever the same. This year they headlined Slam Dunk and were on the run of satellite shows around the country with Goldfinger, Anti Flag and Set your Goals. I had a chat to Vinnie and JR about the music industry and their love for Gainesville, Florida.

Welcome back! Thankfully we never seem to have to wait too long until another Less Than Jake show here in the UK, do you do it intentionally?
Vinnie: It is a coincidence. The November tour we were on - our headliner - then Slam Dunk approached us and they really wanted us and Reel Big Fish to headline to celebrate their tenth anniversary. So during that time were like “we were just there” but they really wanted us to come up so we said OK.

Forever Came Calling

Trusty Wikipedia describes Twentynine Palms, California as "a city in a desert and mountain area" and is home to the world's largest Marines base... apparently. It's also home to Forever Came Calling, a pop-punk threepiece. Bassist, John, explains "We come from a place where there's not a lot to do. You either play music with friends, join the marines, or do drugs. We choose music." So, in 2006 the band were formed and thus the Twentynine Palms' music scene was born. 

Vans Warped Tour: Free Sampler

It's summer so that means festivals galore! One of the best is the classic Vans Warped Tour for it's great selection of pop-punk and punk bands over a variety of stages. For those of you lucky enough to be going to melt and see some rad bands this summer check out the free sampler featuring The Swellers, Set Your Goals, Voodoo Glow Skulls and Alkaline Trio to name but a few. 

Unfortunately this is only available in the USA and Canada so us lot in Europe and the rest of the world will just go and cry now thinking about how much fun we're missing out on...

"...all we wanted to be was Hit The Lights": Interview with Nick Thompson, Hit The Lights

"I'll build a throne made from the bones. Of those who died searching for gold. Just to find it's found inside our hearts"

Hit the Lights have come a long way since I saw them last in Gainesville, Florida four years ago. Fast forward to 2010 and with two full length albums and two EPs under their belts, the boys from Lima, Ohio have exploded, completing stints on the Take Action, Alternative Press and Warped Tours over in the states they are now featuring on the Slam Dunk tour in the UK.

2007 saw them face the biggest challenge of their careers when vocalist Colin Ross decided to leave the band. Hit the Lights went on a break as they tried to find a new singer and nine months later Nick Thompson, their guitarist, embraced the role and they came back stronger than ever.

Whilst their vocalist might have changed, their anthemic pop punk tunes continue to ooze energy and their live shows are electric. Because of their rocky past the boys are particularly appreciative of their fans and extremely humble. With bands like Hit the Lights around pop-punk has a very bright future.

They're also refreshingly down to earth and I was honoured to catch up with Nick for a chat about the band's history and it's future...