LESS THAN JAKE PLAY KOOL HAUS (132 QUEENS QUAY E) JULY 9.
On Less Than Jake’s seventh album, GNV FLA, co-vocalists Chris Demakes and Roger Manganelli nasally and noisily depict blue-collar disillusionment, drug dependency and urban decay. Meanwhile, the band toast society’s decline with happy horn stabs, sprightly ska strums, driving, distorted guitar blasts and propulsive drumbeats. GNV FLA can be overly cute and clever (“I may be going broke, but I’m never broken down;” “Give them our conviction notice”), but on the whole, Less Than Jake’s tunes are admirably energetic, controlled and catchy. And with most songs under three minutes, they never overstay their welcome.