Less Than Jake Delivers an Entertaining Show @ Summerfest

Less Than Jake has been my favorite band for a very long time, and every time I can catch them live, they play a fantastic, solid set. Last year they opened for Reel Big Fish July 4th at Summerfest, and THIS year they headlined the Harley Davidson stage with Goldfinger opening as well as a slew of other ska bands. We arrived when Big D and the Kids Table were just finishing their set. Never really got into them in my ska days, but the crowd enjoyed their music and there were plenty of kids skanking. Goldfinger was next. I was into them when I was probably 13 or so years old, so it's been quite some time since I actually listened to them or have had any thoughts on their music. They played some classic songs like "Mable", "Superman", "Here in your Bedroom" and their most famous song, which happens to be a cover "99 Luft Balloons". My little brother made it on stage during "Mable" along with 30 other kids. Their drummer decided to pull a person out of the crowd and drink a Miller High Life Lite out of his nasty Chick Taylor. Next up was Gainsville's finest.

They came on stage to the theme music to The A-Team, and opened up with "Does The Lion City Still Roar?", which is the single off of their newest album GNV FLA. Unfortunatly during their opening song, the sound was really sketchy on Chris's vocals so we couldn't hear him too well. Later in the show Roger's wireless chord pack battery died during his bass solo for "Gainsville Rock City". Here is the set list in no particular order of what was played:
Ghost of You and Me
Look What Happened
The Science of Selling Yourself Short
Plastic Cup Politics
Gainsville Rock City
Does The Lion City Still Roar?
Summon Monsters
Conviction Notice
The Rest Of My Life
Automatic
Sugar In Your Gas Tank
Johnny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts
Krazy Glue
Hows My Driving, Doug Hastings?
Dopeman

during the set there was a drinking contest between an old gentlemen and the tour manager, as well as "Who's the Dirty Rat?" and a dance off between a member of the Suburban Legends and some cocky kid pulled from the crowd. "Whos the dirty Rat?" is where Chris picked three smelly guys and one unfortunate girl out of the crowd to play this game where she (blindfolded) had to stick her nose into their armpits to see which one smelled the worst. She picked this guy (appropriately titled Mr. Duechebag from Chris) sporting sunglasses at night, a bad mohawk, a wife beater as well as some snaggley teeth. They had to dirty dance during "Conviction Notice" as well. During their encore of "Plastic Cup Politics", everyone was to whip their shirts around their heads in a helacopter-like motion. It was pretty funny. Also, Chris had this idea that he would get everyone to sit down (on the benches) and then do a huge wave like at a sporting event. It was pretty funny.

It was quite the entertaining night, with some classic songs, and a few brand new ones. If you can catch them on their Shout it Out Loud tour, try to. It was a good time had by all.