I am normally not a big fan of third wave ska, but when I heard that Less Than Jake was touring again, I wanted to check them out. It has been a while, but I always really enjoyed them. During their set, they would normally poke fun of audience members and/or each other and somehow manage to play a little to keep the crowd going. And on their recent stop in Denver with The Expendables, they played just like I remembered.

I was actually quite surprised to find out that the show was not canceled. Denver received its first (and yes, I mean first) real snowstorm of the winter (or should I say spring), and everything else in town was closed. But Less Than Jake did not want to let their fans down, so they decided to let the show go on. And a good thing they did. They started off the set with a couple of tunes from their most recent album, GNV FLA, and kept with tradition of making "rude" jokes about everyone around them. They reminded me a lot of NOFX on an "off" day and I think that is why I liked them so much. They even had a little interaction with a gal sitting in the upper level and requested that she throw the gum that she had been chomping onto the stage. I was sure that it was going to just land on some poor pit member, but instead it somehow made it all way to stage and, I swear, in, guitarist/vocalist, Chris Demakes' mouth. One of the more disgusting things I have seen in a while, but not shocking coming from those guys.

Probably the most entertaining part of the night was watching trombonist Buddy Schaub run around the stage. Midway through the show, it was finally revealed that it was Schaub's birthday and that they were planning on celebrating it after the show in the back bar. However, it already seemed that they were well into their celebration with a couple of shots that were saluted to their good friend.

I cannot really say that after watching Less Than Jake and the Expendables play that I am now a fan of third wave ska. However, I can say that I have a newfound appreciation for both bands. They really know how to put on a good show and entertain people that normally would not have a good time. And good news for people that missed the show, Less Than Jake will be playing on this year's Vans Warped Tour. Check them out if you can.

-Melissa Skrbic-Huss

Less Than Jake with The Expendables and The Flatliners
Ogden Theater, Denver CO
March 26, 2009

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