Interviews

Less Than Jake

Interview with Vinnie on Nov 30, 1999 by Archive Bot

Kristen at GAS Entertainment is responsible for helping me hook up this interview. Big thanks to Vinnie for sitting down with me for about my millionth interview with Less Than Jake and putting up with me once again. Check out the latest news on what these guys are up to at www.lessthanjake.com. This interview was done at the Roseland in New York City August 2nd.

PB: Explain what a rusty trombone is to me.
Vinnie: What? Who said that...

PB: I dunno I hear things....people tell me things.
Vinnie: *Laugh* A rusty trombone is when a girl licks a guys ass and jacks him off at the same time. *Laugh*

PB: And this is a joke with you guys cause.....
Vinnie: It's a joke because we are immature boys. It's the same reason why we laugh at jack off jokes. You know what I mean?

PB: I get it, I get it. Ok so you guy are considered veterans in the scene, so I was just wondering who your icons were in the scene when you were growing up.
Vinnie: Oh...Ramones, Elvis Costello, Billy Bragg, on the more punk side NOFX, Rancid, Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

PB: And what do you think of the state of the scene today?
Vinnie: You know it's weird, it's so much in the, for lack of a better word, the information age. If you want to know about said band, whatever, X. Go on the Internet and click and there. Before, when I was growing up, even 5 years ago, you'd have to go to the store, find the magazine. Now trends bounce so quick up and so quick down that it's shocking.

PB: Like it's easier to hear about bands.
Vinnie: It's easier to hear about bands and it's easier for a band to become super popular, super quick. But it's also easier for that band to drop at the same velocity.

PB: Ok so what are some bands that you respect right now? That you think have that velocity...
Vinnie: And will keep going? I hope that New Found Glory will, but I don't know. You know? I hope for them. You know what I mean? They are my friends and they are a good band and they are one of those bands that got popular super quick and I hope that they can retain that. Cause I like them, I think they write good songs. You know? Bands that I like that I wish......

PB: Yeah, but New Found Glory is the perfect example of a band that can be used as a part of the whole trend thing...
Vinnie: Exactly. Yeah, sure.

PB: Ok so what do you think about the idea that punk, hardcore, ska, all that stuff is seen as a trend and maybe even being treated like a trend?
Vinnie: Ska is dead. That's what everyone tells me that writes for magazines and writes reviews and stuff. You know?

PB: It's not dead. If you say ska is dead then you have to say that punk is dead and hardcore is dead.
Vinnie: Totally. Hey, I'm not saying it, I'm saying people tell me that. As far as trends are concerned for real, yeah, it's being treated just like that. People, mainstream media are treating it like a trend.

PB: So what do you think is going to happen to it?
Vinnie: It will burn out, for sure it's going to burn out. There is going to be a backlash to it just like there was a backlash....

PB: What do you mean, like it's going to end up like grunge?
Vinnie: Naw, naw, naw. Ok let's refer it back to punk rock. From 77 to 83 it was very commercial, The Clash, Ramones, you know? Everything went along with that. The majors went with the poppy, the good. But it broke to the point when it got into the mainstream and it broke it and the backlash to punk was the faster, darker, angrier, harder and you got into the bands after that COC, DRI, those bands became popular and after that it was like "no we don't want that" and all of a sudden a band like Green Day came along and a more so Lookout! type of band was being pushed and it bounced to the whole progression of pop punk. You're going to see it goes in waves.

PB: So you kind of see it as a circle?
Vinnie: Oh yeah totally. For sure, there is no doubt about it.

PB: How old are you guys?
Vinnie: Late 20's to early 30's.

PB: You ever think you're too old? You've been doing this for like 10 years....
Vinnie: I love what I do and I don't think so. As long as you can stay relevant I suppose. There are some people in bands that I know that are 40 that I can say "fuck, that's amazing". They write good songs and they should be in a band still. There are other guys though that are like these 19 year old dudes and I go, "you shouldn't be in a band because you're horrible". So I mean, age doesn't mean shit. It's all about being relevant and if you can stay relevant and pushing your band and yourself to write better songs, better music, play better live, than I don't think that it matters.

PB: So how do you keep pushing yourself?
Vinnie: I don't know. It's weird, the weird thing about it. Our next record, the difference between our records now and the records we have in the past.....in this case, punk rock has always been three chords with a melody line. Are we evolving and pushing ourselves to the point where people are going to say "oh god that's fucking horrible"? No. Not at all. But personally, I am writing the lyrics for the band, always have...

PB: And you always will right?
Vinnie: Yeah. I am pushing myself emotionally to some narly things, some subjects. The evolution of this record is more so an emotional thing lyrically. We up-ed the anti. You can only write about girls and breakups for so long. You can only write about inane shit for so long until you have to go....

PB: Well when you grow up you experience different things so it makes sense.....
Vinnie: Exactly, exactly.

PB: Ok, I am going to quote him (J.R.) "As far as Fat goes, a lot of kids didn't even know we put a record out on Fat for a while. It's not because it wasn't in stores, but it's because Fat went in a different direction. They did what Fat Wreck Chords does, and that freaked out a lot of snobby punks. The ones who think my punk is better than your punk, or I have more tattoos or piercing. What's a ska band doing on Fat Mike's label? Mike's an amazing guy and we sold a good amount of records on the last record we put out. Kids are still discovering it which is a cool thing." So I think I also read that Fat was one of the first labels that showed interest in you guys and that Capitol was also the first label that showed interest. Right?
Vinnie: That is right.

PB: So you guys just recently signed to Warner. Were they the first label to approach you guys?
Vinnie: Yes. Yes.

PB: The very first label to come up to you guys since Fat?
Vinnie: Well, I went to them. My good friend works there. And it's you know....

PB: So what are you looking for moving to a major label?
Vinnie: You know what? Nothing. I don't expect anything. We're just going to put out records.

PB: So how is that different than Fat?
Vinnie: The difference only being in pure and sheer marketing dollars. That is all. You know? Fat puts the records in the stores and they do an amazing fucking job. Erin, as far as punk rock inspiration on how to run a label, Erin, Fat Mike's wife, is the prime example of inspiration for myself. I run Fueled by Ramen. I have told them this. I, we are a part of the Fat Wreck family. We always have an always will. I love NOFX, they are an inspiration musically as well as Fat Mike and Erin being an inspiration to me on the business side of running a label. And you know what? Sheer marketing money. More ads in more places, worldwide. More money for doing x things that we want to do. It's not disrespect. No one is really that bummed.

PB: Well I think it's good for you guys and you can't stay at the same level all the time. Change happens.
Vinnie: Yeah and I am stoked with the experience that I have had on Fat.

PB: It's a good thing that you have left your record labels on good terms.
Vinnie: We have for sure. Looking back in retrospect, there are things I would have done different but fuck everyone says that.

PB: What were you like in high school? Buddy: He was a chick magnet.
Vinnie: No, I wasn't. You know those guys that were kinda weird...

PB: Sat at the back of the class kid?
Vinnie: Yup. And I still am that weird kid.

PB: What you sit at the back of the bus?
Vinnie: Yup.

PB: Ha. Ha. You sit at the back and watch and take it all in, right?
Vinnie: Yes. I am weird, introverted. Like I have a 12 year journal.....

PB: Man that is so weird. A lot of dudes in bands, the ones that write the lyrics. They're all have these crazy journals......
Vinnie: I write everything down. Yup. It is crazy. I have probably 35, 40 books. I have let one person read them all. And she was like, you're crazy.

PB: Yeah but in another sense, you're letting the whole world read your books when you write your songs.
Vinnie: Ok but listen to this. I feel better when I look at other people and when I go, "fuck you are crazier than a shithouse rat". When I see their art or whatever. And it makes me feel better.

PB: Cause then you feel normal. Ok so you feel good making other people feel like they're not crazy. But wait....your lyrics aren't even that crazy.
Vinnie: Oh I am crazy. I have crazy thought patterns, I over think things a lot. I think of random things.

PB: Oh I am all about overanalyzing things.
Vinnie: Yeah and I am definitely obsessive compulsive. Even when dealing with Fueled by Ramen. The LTJ business side.

PB: All the people who work at FBR are the nicest people.
Vinnie: Yeah, it's a good thing, I love the people that work at the label. They kinda all just came to us, it was great.

PB: What is your biggest worry right now?
Vinnie: I don't have any. I am content. We went to Europe it was a fucking amazing tour. Seriously, fucking amazing. We are in the United States, you know what I mean? We just signed to Warner Bros. We left Fat on great terms....

PB: So you're just happy with the decisions that you've been making.
Vinnie: I think so, yeah. Mind you, we could talk in a year and I could be telling you how bad we fucked up, but now everything is cool. I think. Everything is great.

PB: When was the last time you won something.
Vinnie: Vegas, 2 years ago, I won fifty dollars.

PB: Last time you laughed at someone else's pain?
Vinnie: This afternoon.

PB: Cried during a movie?
Vinnie: 6 months ago.

PB: What movie?
Vinnie: It was weird, let's just leave it at that. Weird. It reminded me, like a certain part of the movie hit close to home and it was like "ohhhhh...".

PB: Oh like when it's not even exactly the movie, but it's something in it that makes you think of something that happened or whatever.
Vinnie: Yeah, it was weird.

PB: Your new album is called Anthem. When is it coming out?
Vinnie: I would think January.

PB: Have you recorded it yet?
Vinnie: No.

PB: Who are you gonna record it with and where?
Vinnie: We're thinking Nashville are there are about 5 people we are thinking about doing it with and they all said yes so....we gotta pick people.

PB: Describe everyone in the band.
Vinnie: Roger would be like eccentric scientist guy, Buddy would be the comedian, J.R. would be the mother figure...

PB: Isn't he the youngest?
Vinnie: Yeah, but he is definitely always the one that is asking how you're doing and cares about your feelings. Totally, Chris would be the sleeping giant and that is the band. We have Vinnie from the Pilfers here because Buddy is going to get wrist surgery. He is going back to Gainsville and we are going with Vinnie. It's going to be weird.

PB: This is the first time that one of you isn't going to be there.
Vinnie: The very first time, it's going to be weird looking over and not seeing him. He makes me laugh.

PB: What do you like best about yourself.
Vinnie: I really don't like anything particular. I think everything is really, very...uh....it's non...

PB: Average isn't the word but I know what you mean.
Vinnie: Yeah, there is nothing particular about myself that I go "oh, that stands out, that is the best things about myself." If I had to pick something it would be just that my, demeanor. I'm easy going. Everything else.....the only other thing is that when I talk to someone I give them attention. I am a good listener.

PB: Which goes back to you sitting at the back of the bus soaking it all in.
Vinnie: Yup.

PB: Who would you get to play you in a movie of your life?
Vinnie: Oh fuck.....Elvis Costello.

PB: Even better pick someone for everyone else in the band.
Vinnie: If John Candy was still alive he'd be Buddy, I'd have that like, what the fuck is that guy's name in Empire Records?

PB: Ethan Embry?
Vinnie: Naw! The squirly kid.

PB: What squirly kid? The one that worked in the record store with the brown hair? He is nobody.
Vinnie: Yeah but that's what I mean, I would have him for Rog for sure. That hip guy.

PB: That guy is not hip.
Vinnie: No, but you know what I mean in teen movies. The guy who is 30 but playing a high school kid. Ralph Macchio can be Rog. I can give you types. Buddy animated, action oriented. Rog, the guy who is pretending to be shy but is not really. Chris is the guy who is calm but is actually the one who would take a shotgun out and start killing everyone. J.R. would be like the guy who is the football jock breaks up with the girl and he is the one that talks to the girl and makes her feel better and he's secretly in love with her.

PB: What goals do you guys still have to obtain?
Vinnie: Tour with Rancid. Tour with Green Day. Tour with NOFX. Maybe play Africa......South Africa. I want to go.

PB: If you want to go you will go.
Vinnie: I want to go, I am excited to go.