popwreckoning

As avid 30 Seconds to Mars fans, we had high expectations of their latest album, This Is War. -We were not disappointed.

Several of the tracks live up to the intense almost dramatic music they are known for with a concentration on aggressive vocals and studio production (this album does weigh heavy on the production). This includes their first single, “Kings and Queens,” as well as “Night of the Hunter,” “Closer to the Edge,” and “Vox Populi.” This album also features an interesting collaboration with Kanye West and Brandon Flowers of The Killers (rumored on piano?) on a track called “Hurricane.” Some may feel this collaboration is a bold and almost a sell-out type move on the band’s behalf. Regardless, this track is bound to get some attention, if not radio play, then some “love” on MTV (They still play some music right? Maybe just a little?).

The album is not complete without a softer side: “Alibi,” “100 Suns” and “L490” help transition the album’s intense climatic moments and give the album a storytelling feel.

As a whole, This is War is thematic in nature. Not only is the album title the name of one of their songs, but they also use the title as a line that reoccurs in a track or two. Other warfare like references can be picked up in other tracks and there are some musical themes going on which include deep eerie vocal droning, a children’s choir/chanting in several tracks and ambient/synth progressions weaving in and out of the album.

Though This is War sounds like more went into this studio mix than on A Beautiful Lie, the energy and execution behind the vocals of Jared Leto draw you in and allow you to loose yourself in at least one track.

Sara’s favorite line in the album – “Honest to god I will break your heart, tear you to pieces and rip you apart.” – “Night of the Hunter”

Andrew’s favorite line in the album “To the leader, the pariah, the victim, the messiah.” – “This is War”

This is War is available December 8, 2009, and those of you who have played the BioWare video game Dragon Age: Origins may have heard all or part of 30 Seconds to Mars’ title track “This is War” while playing the game, or in the game’s trailer.

Track Listing:
01. Escape
02. Night of the Hunter
03. Kings and Queens
04. This is War
05. 100 Suns
06. Hurricane
07. Closer to the Edge
08. Vox Populi
09. Search and Destroy
10. Alibi
11. Stranger in a Strange Land
12. L490
Bonus track versions:
01. Kings and Queens (LA Riots Vocal Mix)
02. Night of the Hunter (Flood Remix)

30 Seconds to Mars: website | myspace

Co-Reviewed by Sara Monahan and Andrew Dunlap

Since I was already scheduled to be in Boston for the second-to-last date of the Nylon Magazine Winter Music Tour, finding out that the xx would be doing an in-store performance earlier on the same day was just icing on the cake. I had gone to pick up my wristband for the event early Friday morning. When I asked the clerk on duty how many wristbands were left, she gave me this “are you out of your mind?” look, saying, “we just started giving wristbands out half an hour ago. We have plenty.” This gave me what turned out to be a false sense of security (figuring that maybe, just maybe not too many people in Boston knew who the xx were), so my friend and I would have plenty of time to get to the in-store at 5 and wouldn’t have any trouble having a good vantage point to take photos from.

When we arrived to line up outside the Newbury Street store at 4:30, there were at least 50 people in front of me. As quickly as the sun set and disappeared, the line on the sidewalk outside the store grew and grew until it went all the way down the block. I started chatting with other people in line, finding out that I was in the minority (being the owner of a coveted ticket to the sold-out Friendly Fires / the xx gig later on) and that many of them had shown up for the free in-store simply for a chance to see the xx. They appreciated finding out from me that the xx would return to Boston to play the Paradise again on April 2.

Five o’clock came and went, and I started to lose feeling in my feet and arms despite it being unseasonably warm for a winter evening in Boston. Someone asked staff who was monitoring the front door why we weren’t allowed in, and we were told that the band’s equipment hadn’t arrived yet. At about 5:50, the main door finally opened and fans trooped into the store. People and their winter coats were crammed into the store between the CD racks and unusual merchandise. A bit stifling.

A short while later, the xx appeared and the crowd that assembled for them cheered. They launched into the instrumental “Intro.” Unfortunately, I couldn’t see much with many taller people in front of me, but I could occasionally make out bassist Oliver Sim and electronic percussion / synth player Jamie Smith as heads bobbed up and down to the music in front of me. I was skeptical about how the band would sound in small record store, but as soon as the band started into “VCR,” I knew this was going to be one great performance.

The sparseness of the xx sound sounded gorgeous in the cramped, enclosed space. Several in the crowd shouted for “Islands,” which began beautifully with Romy Madley-Croft‘s tender voice that was later joined with Sim’s. “Crystalised,” the first song by this band that I’d ever heard, was spectacular. Interestingly, this song was left off their set list at the Paradise three hours later, so if any of my new “friends” I met at Newbury Comics that night are reading this: you got a special treat!

My impression of the crowd was that it was a mixture of fans and others who looked upon the xx as a curiosity. Either way, there was little doubt in my mind that each person left that night thinking, “Wow, I need to make sure I get a ticket when the band comes back here in April.” You can catch the band on a short headlining tour of America in March and April (touring with mysterious Swedish electronic group jj), followed by a turn as the opener for Hot Chip in late April.

Set List:
Intro
VCR
Basic Space
Islands
Crystalised
Nighttime
Infinity

Tour dates:
Mar 22 – Spanish Moon / Baton Rouge*
Mar 24 – Earl / Atlanta*
Mar 25 – Cat’s Cradle / Carrboro, NC*
Mar 28 – Sixth & I Synagogue / Washington, DC*
Mar 29 – First Unitarian Church / Philadelphia*
Apr 02 – Paradise / Boston*
Apr 05 – Wexner Center / Columbus*
Apr 06 – Buskirk Chumley Theater / Bloomington, IN*
Apr 19 – Riviera Theatre / Chicago%
Apr 20 – Koolhaus / Toronto%
Apr 22 – Terminal 5 / New York City%
Apr 24 – 9:30 Club / Washington, DC%
* with jj
% supporting Hot Chip

The xx: website | myspace | @ Music Hall of Williamsburg | @ DC9 | @ Paradise

Performance photos: Julie Stoller

iTunes growth as stunted as the economy? KC local Sam Billen and label The Record Machine have teamed up to add a little holiday cheer to your world with new tunes that won’t break the bank.

Stream Billen’s entire new record, Headphones & Cellphones, for free through The Record Machine. This record is Billen’s first since former band The Billions broke up in 2008, and also marks his first solo album in 5 years.

Feedback for Headphones & Cellphones:

“While Tokyo Sessions was an introspective and minimalist offering, the 10-song Headphones & Cellphones seems more a reflection of Billen’s inspirations, namely ’70s AM Gold and more modern, soul-infused Top 40 pop music. Think Christopher Cross meets J.Lo meets Death Cab for Cutie.”

- Kansas City.Com

“Woke up one morning to find some of Sam’s tracks in my e-mail and I haven’t been able to stop listening since.”

- Sing Your Song In The Shower

If the free online stream isn’t enough (didn’t Santa tell you not to be greedy?), Billen’s full album can be purchased for just two bucks via The Record Machine Site. Catch it fast though – the promo ends today.

Keep an eye out for Billen’s upcoming album, Removers, which will feature covers of Deastro, Republic Tigers, The Postal Service, Todd Rundgren, Capybara and more.

By Caitlin Dean

.Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance”
Now I’m not a huge fan of this track. It starts off with creepy “Ra Ra Ah Ah, GaGa” gurgles, followed by Lady GaGa singing in a deep, tough voice. The music is subtle, with a hefty drumbeat and subtle keyboards for an eerie feel. The song certainly picks up during the chorus, becoming more poppy with Lady GaGa singing in a lighter tone, matched to lighter music.

.Grum Remix
Grum does a great turn on the song. He leaves out the creepy gurgles and focuses on the poppier side of the music while simultaneously adding his thick electronic tweaks. They come in fast forms and slow, churning, thick forms. He adds to the song rather than altering it much, highlighting its better parts to something more suited for normal people.

.Starsmith Remix
The Starsmith remix is the most dancey of all of them and only because it’s the quickest. It features 80s sci-fi laser sounds, plenty of synths, electro pops and light percussion. It speeds through rather fast till the end, wear it slows for a typical trance build up, bursting into an odd rap.

.Hercules & Love Affair Remix

Hercules & Love Affair turn this into a style that is a complete aesthetic of what they do. They slow it down, bring it to a walking pace of cool disco and funk beats. The one bubbling bass line pours throughout the song, added by light xylophone taps. The mix really showcases Lady GaGa’s vocals as they are louder than anything else in the mix. It’s a softer and perhaps more pleasant working.

Lady Gaga: website | myspace

The inaugural Winter Nylon Music Tour stopped by Boston’s Paradise Friday night for an absolutely, positively sold-out show. If it is humanly possible, both the headliners Friendly Fires and the opener, current darlings of the blogosphere the xx, keep getting better and better with each additional time I have the privilege of seeing them perform. Both are young bands from England, yet with all the globetrotting they’ve done this year, they’ve honed their skills so that every performance will leave you wanting more. When I heard and subsequently groaned inwardly that the Nylon tour would not be stopping by Washington, I decided a trip up north was in order.

In the case of London’s the xx, their sound is relatively simplistic, but they are extremely successful in bringing out the emotions of anyone who’s ever felt anything for someone else or perhaps more accurately, the xx make you feel you aren’t alone when you’ve lost that magical thing called love. I still can’t get over how guitarist Romy Madley-Croft and bassist Oliver Sim‘s voices, though gentle, can be so poignant and achingly beautiful, causing you the listener to feel the same yearning that exists in the heart of their songs in your bones.

This was the first time the band had ever played in Boston (not counting the in-store they played three hours earlier at Newbury Comics), and the excited crowd was certainly appreciative of their visit. They took to the stage on time at 9. The extended live version of “Basic Space,” their second single released on Young Turks in the UK in August, confused some members of the audience, some of them prematurely clapping while the band headed into an outro not on the album. “Fantasy,” starting off with Sim’s spare, scorching vocals paired with Madley-Croft’s fantastic guitar playing, was a major highlight, as was “Nighttime,” with such monstrous beats from Jamie Smith that you felt the backbeats pounding through your body.

“Infinity,” an example of serious yearning turned into an xx song, starts with guitar work that is as sensual at those in Chris Isaak‘s “Wicked Game.” But what the xx’s tune has over Isaak’s are the call and response lyrics of “I can’t give it up / to someone else’s touch / because I care too much” between Madley-Croft and Sim, punctuated by Smith’s drum machine and cymbal crashing. Talk about dramatic to the max and perfectly suited for their usual black attire and minimalist stage set-up. Be sure to catch this trio when they tour America starting in March 2010, first on a short tour of their own on the eastern half of the U.S., followed by a couple of dates opening for Hot Chip.

The xx Set List:
Intro
VCR
Basic Space
Fantasy
Shelter
Islands
Nighttime
Infinity

Like clockwork, crew set up quickly for the main event, St. Albans’ own Friendly Fires, so that they were ready to roll punctually at the Paradise-appointed time of 10:15. This band’s shows are 100 times better than their records because you get the full audio and visual experience right in front of you. On this particular night, multi-colored lights flashed feverishly across the stage, lending a carnival-like atmosphere quite appropriate for this kind of music. On stage left is drummer Jack Savidge on his riser, beating on his drums at a furious pace that it’s a wonder he ever manages to leave a gig with his hands intact. In the center of it all is lead singer Ed Macfarlane with his bevy of synthesizers ever at the ready, in front of touring bassist Rob Lee and their touring brass section (trumpeter and saxophonist). And lastly and certainly not least, on stage right is guitarist Edd Gibson shredding it on his axe in a way that should inspire generations to pick up a guitar and try it for themselves.

Having not seen them in about four months, I’d nearly forgotten just how tremendously punishing physically their set is on all the players. This was their second to last date on a grueling 3-week tour of North America, and I’d heard that everyone by this point was exhausted (and understandably so). However, I didn’t see any indication that the band wasn’t giving their usual 110%. When it came time for Macfarlane to break out his now world-famous dance moves, the man showed no sign of fatigue, most memorably on the wonky-waltzy “White Diamonds,” to which he threw his whole body into the song. “Photobooth,” an ode to young lovers taking an innocent photograph together, was preceded by him saying, “Are you going to join us [in the revelry and dance]?” Thanks to a long guitar cord, throughout the set Gibson was able to run back and forth across the Paradise stage, climbing on top of a speaker in front of Savidge several times to serenade those up in the balcony. So very rock ‘n’ roll.

While the throng was vocal in their appreciation for the Fires’ music, some people in the crowd clearly needed to loosen up, so much that Ed Mac had to implore, “Come on Boston, dance with me, please!” When they played “On Board,” then “Paris” (the obvious crowd-pleaser), the audience was finally moving and grooving in a way that the band approved. While it was disappointing that they played the exact same set list that I’ve gotten used to and we didn’t get a preview of the four songs Friendly Fires have already finished for album #2, we’ll have the new material and a brand-new set list to look forward to the next time they visit us stateside. The band’s sophomore album is expected to be released in May 2010. I can’t wait.

Friendly Fires Set List:
Lovesick
Jump in the Pool
Skeleton Boy
In the Hospital
White Diamonds
Strobe
Kiss of Life
Photobooth
On Board
Paris
//
Ex Lover

Friendly Fires: website | myspace | Friendly Fires review | Remix Monday: “Skeleton Boy” | @ Black Cat | @ Dot to Dot Festival | interview with pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3 | Mercury Prize Nominations Announced | New Video on MTV, To Play Jimmy Kimmel and Winter Nylon Tour, Release Expanded Version of Debut Album | @ Lollapalooza 2009 | @ le poisson rouge | @ Music Hall of Williamsburg | on Jimmy Kimmel | Remix Monday: “Paris”
The xx: website | myspace | @ Music Hall of Williamsburg | @ DC9

After Mapquest took my friend and I on the most illogical route to El Corazon in Seattle, we arrived just in time as the doors opened to see Rooney, Tally Hall and Crash Kings on the Wild One tour on Wednesday. Thankfully, we only had to wait outside for about ten minutes, because it was pretty darn close to freezing.

El Corazon is a small, but fairly intimate venue with a great view from all vantage points. That night, the teenybopper crowd filling El Corazon differed starkly from those who worked there, covered in piercings and tattoos, dark hoodies and unkempt facial hair. I liked the odd juxtaposition, as it fit the contrasting lineup. The Crash Kings were up first, with their three-piece of Tony Beliveau on vocals and keyboard, his brother Mike Beliveau on bass and Jason Morris on drums. Tony was quite the showman, rocking out with a clavinet, a customized keyboard with guitar strings and a large whammy bar. Mike played with multiple amps, making music both full and raw without a guitar, leading to rather a unique sound.

The three-piece Crash Kings played a short, but strong set, including first single “Mountain Man,” as well as other crowd-pleasers “1985,” “Raincoat,” “You Got Me” and “It’s Only Wednesday,” which was recently featured in the film “Zombieland.” I hadn’t heard much of their music before the show, but I was thoroughly impressed with their stage presence, matching the intimacy of the venue with their brotherly synergy.

After their half-hour, Tally Hall came up on stage to set up their instruments, clad in suit shirts and vests, as well as fake mustaches to match their hair color. It fit Tally Hall’s persona perfectly, as they’re pretty much the nerdiest band I’ve heard since They Might Be Giants. Seriously, they referred to their own music as “wonky rock.”

What I love so much about Tally Hall is how funny they are, but they are genuinely good musicians, and they harmonize wonderfully, with guitarists Joe Hawley, Rob Cantor, keyboardist Andrew Horowitz and bassist Zubin Sedghi all bringing their own vocal style. To my delight, Tally Hall played some new songs, meaning a new record coming possibly soon, as it’s been a good three years since Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum. But they did play a few of the hits from ,MMMM: “Welcome to Tally Hall,” “The Bidding,” “Ruler of Everything,” and “Good Day.” My favorite song was actually during Horowitz’s one singing part, “The Whole World and You,” and they got the whole crowd clapping with Horowitz’s adorable subtle lisp. The crowd surely loved the dapper crew, as the youngins surrounding me sang along to all of the words.

Cantor and Hawley had the most charm, saying that it was “an honor and a pleasure to be playing with Rooney and Crash Kings,” causing everyone to cheer loudly, so then they’d say it randomly throughout the half-hour set. I would have preferred longer than half an hour, and it would have been plausible, as we hit the road just after 11. An hour would have given them more time to banter, showing off their unique personas. But I was happy just the same.

Rooney was up next.

Following a long intro of the “The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly” theme music, building the palpable anticipation, it was obvious that most people there came to see Rooney. They were met with screaming girls, reminiscent of the reaction that the Jonas Brothers might get, but with a few token drunk guys.

The foursome came out cool and casual, and started off with “Stay Away” off their eponymous debut back in 2003. It gave me a weird flashback to a little film that you may have seen at one point – “The Princess Diaries,” yeah, cause front man Robert Schwartzman was in that movie as Michael Moscovitz, Anne Hathaway’s love interest. As was the rest of Rooney, as Michael’s band. Sure, the movie was eight years ago, but I just can’t seem to get it out of my head.

That soon left my mind, as I moved from the one side of the stage where bassist Matthew Winter seemed to not be having any fun to the other side of the stage where guitarist Taylor Locke captivated the crowd with his sweet riffs and undeniably flowy hair. Schwartzman did most of the talking, leading the room through a set list of oldies but goodies such as “Blueside,” “Daisy Duke”  and “Popstars,” which Schwartzman said they hadn’t played in a while, as well as brand new songs. One new song titled “Wild One” let drummer Ned Brower actually sing and he was quite good.

Around 10:40, Schwartzman thanked Seattle profusely for being so great, and it caught me off guard, but made everyone laugh and cheer when Locke started playing random opening riffs from classic Seattle rock songs from Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden.

“Ned’s from here, so we can do that,” Schwartzman said, “Well, born in Chapel Hill and raised in Seattle.”

It made me smile. But nothing made anyone smile quite as much as the guy standing behind me who kept shouting “I Should Have Been After You” all night. He finally got his wish during the encore.

“Who wants ‘Simply Because?’” Schwartzman asked the crowd.

People cheered.

“Tell Me Soon?”

People cheered.

“How about ‘I Should Have Been After You?’”

And people went nuts.

“Okay, we’ll do it for that guy this one time.”

I was fine with that, as “I Should Have Been After You” is one of my favorite Rooney songs.

At the end of the night, my friend had a completely different experience watching Rooney on the opposite side of the stage as I did. So I guess it’s based on your vantage point. Robert’s the conversationalist, Ned’s got the charm and Taylor’s got the charisma.

And Rooney’s surely got the light and bouncy pop rock to get you dancing, even on a Wednesday night before finals week.

Rooney: website | myspace

Spoon recently released “Written in Reverse,” the first single off their 7th studio album, January’s Transference. It will be released on a 7″ vinyl later this month before the full album in January. This comes after several months of live versions of “Written in Reverse” being bootlegged across the web.

The track opens up with a driving, pounding piano chord and subtle maracas, and moves into front man Britt Daniel‘s raspy  shouting. If it’s a hint to what the rest of Transference has to offer, it’s sounding much more raw, and dirty than 2007′s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.

Take a listen here: Spoon – “Written in Reverse”

Tour Dates:
Dec 11 – Crystal Ballroom / Portland, Or.
Dec 12 – RIMAC Arena / La Jolla, Ca.
Dec 31 – The Riverside Theatre / Milwaukee
Feb 14 – King Tuts / Glasgow
Feb 15 - Academy 3 / Manchester, UK
Feb 16 – Electric Ballroom / London
Feb 18 – Paradiso / Amsterdam
Feb 19 – Luxor / Cologne
Feb 20 – Frannz Club / Berlin

Spoon: website | myspace | @ midland

Weezer front man Rivers Cuomo (left center) was in a bus accident earlier this morning in Upstate New York. Rivers and his family were in a bus going from one gig to another when their bus slid on some ice.

Rivers complained of rib pain and was transferred, along with one other passenger, to St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam, New York. Cuomo’s wife, daughter, and a fifth passenger on the bus were uninjured. The bus was traveling from Toronto, Ontario, to Boston, Massachusetts, for a show Monday night at the Agganis Arena at Boston University.

Neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected as a factor in the accident.

Currently the Weezer tour with Motion City Soundtrack has been canceled.

Get well, Rivers!

Speculation can end now. Something Corporate is reuniting. Well sort of. There’s still room to wonder if this means new music, new tour and/or more, but for now, we’re thrilled just knowing the piano rock band has announced they’ll be playing in California in March for Bamboozle Left.

Tickets go on-sale Dec. 15. Currently, SoCo is the only announced band.

Something Corporate: website | myspace

The Swellers

The first band for the evening came on to the stage promptly at 6:40. They are known as The Swellers, a local (Flint, Michigan) pop-punk band that shares a record label with Paramore. Sounding very melodic-punk with a punch of metal thrown in, the band played very well adding punches of their influences from chunky 90′s alt-rock with melodic choruses. Singer/Guitarist Nick Diener understood how to add some edge to the music, but I still felt that they fell just slightly short of what they could be as a whole. The songs (mostly off their newest Fueled By Ramen release) were solid, well played, and hooky but without the catch. While most of the crowd was entertained, nothing was over-the-top special. Rating: B -

The Casualties

Second up was the always furious stylings of The Casualties. The band’s political sound of anger, fury and fist-pumping speaks volumes to the masses of disenchanted teenage punks in the world and have started to become a new staple on many a 16 yr. old’s rotation list. Not being known for their songwriting, The Casualties are better suited for stories regarding their live shows rather than their records – think more along the lines of a European Football match than US rock club – full of chanting and “oohs.” Much of this Casualties show was filled with previous catalog material of blistering favorites like the work song “World Belongs To Us,” Clockwork” and an electrifying cover of The Ramones‘ “Blitzkrieg Bop.” And as the energy rose, the bodies hit hard during three ‘walls of death’ and numerous circle pits which the venue seemed not quite ready for, but tried to deal with the best they could. Overall, after playing over 40 min and a set list in the double-digits, The Casualties called it a day but not before a sing-along (“War is Bitches”) and one fan-fueled fist fight over the lead vocalist’s scarf. Great energy and solid audience participation. Rating: A

Less Than Jake

After playing a highly sought after show in Detroit the previous night, Less Than Jake took to the cold streets of Chicago to pack in a crowd at the legendary Metro only mere hours before the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. With over 15 years under their belts, the band still share the same passion and dedication to their music as they are their fan base – they are renown for giving every bit of it back ten-fold.

As stage openers go, LTJ aren’t a band to try and impress anyone unless your idea of being wowed is watching a band with such history enter amongst the theme song to ‘Night Rider,’ thus announcing that on this night Nostalgia would rule the day. However once the band take their positions, raise their instruments and blares out the first note to “Automatic” all thoughts are focused on the boys with the brass.

While blazing through the first four songs in a long list of regulars and favorites, JR Wasilewski and Buddy Schaub went the extra mile to wildly weave in and out of the their fellow bandmates to ramp up the crowd’s energy. Hand-clapping helped to syncopate the ever-driving “Does the Lion City Still Roar”, while numbers like “National Anthem” and “Suburban Myth” helped to propel the audience to rush the stage in a dancing frenzy.

When not singing, you could often catch Chris Demakes and Roger Mangenelli performing their rich audience banter with such digs on boy-band phenoms The Jonas Brothers and pretty-boy “Hometown Hero” Pete Wentz; only to remind the audience that the current show was going to be “the most honest rock show you will ever see” – one can only look at the track record of this tenured band to see that the boys in LTJ have stuck to their guns and surpassed the test of time while never having any “Greatest Hits.”

With JR’s and Buddy’s horns lighting up “Liquor Store” and breaking down the walls on “All My Best Friends Are Metalheads,” “Never Going Back to New Jersey,” on “Ask the Magic 8 Ball,” Roger took to the mic for some much-needed lowering of temperature in his band mates and after a few Chicago shout-outs to such notables as The Lawrence Arms‘ front man Neil Hennessy: a smooth rendition of “The Science of Selling Yourself Short” was quickly dispensed.

Other songs like “Conviction Notice,” “Al’s War” and “History of a Boring Town” all found the band in top form and proved that no matter their long road status, the boys in this band are showing no sign of slowing down. And to show that they still have love for the retired-filled southern city from where they hailed almost two decades ago, LTJ showed service to their fans by showing they are in fact “Gainsville Rock City.”

To round out the evening “The Ghost of Me and You,” “Nervous In the Alley” and “Look What Happened” were blasted out to leave the evening on a high note.

As shows go, this one is to be remembered. A highly-intense connection to the audience, trips down memory lane with storytelling, and one headbanging contest later, Less Than Jake threw one kick-ass party for all in attendance. The band noted that their last date to play The Metro was in 1998 and much has changed in music since, but one thing has definitely stayed the same – Less Than Jake’s commitment to their fans and music. Hopefully with a little luck the boys in this band will still be making us smile for another 15. Rating: A+

Written by Matt Miles.