The Barrymore Theatre, Madison, WI, USA - 5 November 1998
Fans of the Florida-based punk-ska band Less Than Jake were gleefully greeted by a wall of hard-rock power as the band stormed the stage to a near sellout crowd Thursday night at the Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Ave.
Featuring toilet-paper-loaded firearms, death in a cowboy hat and a cross-dressing bass player, LTJ proved once again that it knows how to treat a crowd. However, this outward flamboyance paled in comparison to the band's skilled presentation of its catchy brand of horn-inflected ska-core.
From the start, LTJ inspired the crowd into a fist-waving, sing-along fury that can be surpassed by few bands. Playing crowd favorites such as "Liquor Store" and "Automatic," as well as less known tunes like "Fucked," LTJ kept the crowd on its feet and dancing with few opportunities for rest.
The band also played several songs off its latest effort Hello Rockview, including "History of a Boring Town," and "Help Save the Youth of America from Exploding."
Whether the crowd was familiar, every song offered by LTJ was greedily devoured by the rabidly excited fans.
Immediately preceding LTJ was the punk-rock band All. Playing a nearly seamless set that consisted primarily of songs from its latest release, Mass Nerder, All enjoyed a healthy dose of crowd approval.
Also thrown into the mix by the Boulder, Co.-based band were songs by the legendary Descendents, three of whom are also members of All.
All concluded its set with the punk anthem "Hope," featuring Descendents frontman and UW-Madison post-doctorate student Milo Aukerman.
Opening acts Ann Bereta, a southeastern punk band, and the Mad Caddies, a rock ska band from California, got the crowd suitably primed for the arrival of the larger, more polished groups.
--Brian Gettler