What bands do you look up to in terms of bands that have been around longer than you guys?
Well, just knowing what I know in this business, I look up to the bands that have even have longevity in this business – any of them. Aerosmith, Metallica, Bon Jovi. Those aren’t necessarily punk rock bands, but as far as punk rock bands that have been around that long – NOFX has been around for 30 years, Bad Religion has been around for 30 years. Any band that has been doing this for that long and has been able to keep it together with the core members of the band, it’s a lot, it’s a family, it’s a dysfunctional family in a lot of ways. It’s a lot of sacrifices. For all the joy you get out of being in a band and doing it this long, there’s a lot of heartache that goes along with it. I’ve missed a lot of birthdays and weddings and funerals and celebrations and milestones and different things like that. That’s the sacrifice that comes along with it. But yeah, any band that’s done it for that long – Bruce Springsteen comes to mind – it’s insane. I’m not a fan of U2 but they’ve been around and they’ve had a hell of a career. And I know – I KNOW – no matter how much money they’ve made or what kind of celebrities they are or any of that, it’s hard work to stick it out that long for sure.
Would Less Than Jake ever consider putting out a backstage DVD set like “Backstage Passport” that NOFX did?
Probably not because NOFX already did it. But if there was something that presented itself to us in the form of a TV show or something….we’ve never limited ourselves as a band. We’ve done some crazy stuff. But sure, if it was something that could be different or allowed us to put a different spin on it, then sure.
Speaking of international shows, I’d like to hear from you about the shows in South America that fell through recently.
The promoter dropped the ball. Bottom line. We have never canceled a show as a band. The only show we have ever missed in our career was in Boise, Idaho in like 1996 because we couldn’t get through the pass – there was a mountain pass – and there was a hell of a snowstorm. And we tried. We tried to go and all the authorities on the road, the safety people, were like “You cannot drive through here. This road is shut.” We were like “Well we have to get four hours that way!” They were like “You’re not making your gig.” I can proudly say we’ve gotten on stage where I couldn’t speak because I had strep throat so bad, or our bass player couldn’t speak because he had a raging cold or something. I’ve just told the audience “Hey, I don’t have a voice but either it was us cancelling and pissing you guys off or showing up, so let’s party!” The audience would sing or the opening bands would take turns singing some of our songs or our bass player would cover for me. So, unequivocally, we did not cancel those shows in South America. The promoter fucked those fans. You can print that.
Before I let you go, is there anything you want to let your fans know before you kickoff the Fat Tour?
Listen to our new record, you’re going to like it. If you’re a fan of the band you’re going to love the record. And come out to a show and hang out. It’s going to be a good tour.
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