The guide spoke to saxophonist Peter 'JR' Wasilewski about the band, their new album and the forthcoming American election.

GNV FLA is named after their hometown of Gainesville, Florida.

The record is a return to form that could be called the 'traditional' Less Than Jake sound, complete with their trademark bouncy ska grooves and horns galore.

"I'm really happy with it and everyone is really proud of the album," says JR.

"At the end of the day as long as we can look at each other and be happy with what we did, that's all that matters.

"I try not to compare records – it's like comparing photos of you when you were young versus photos of you when you were older.

"That's all records are, a photograph using music of where you are as a band at the time."

JR is joined in Less Than Jake by vocalist and guitarist Chris Demakes, bassist Roger Manganelli, drummer Vinnie Fiorello and trombone player Buddy Schaub.

"There are elements of dark pop/punk with ska influences and it sounds really crunchy and up-tempo," explains Vinnie

"People have been saying 'oh, it sounds like your other stuff but it's a continuation' and another friend said 'it's like everything you've done in the past yet like nothing you've done in the past at the same time'.

"We wanted a sense of urgency so people would listen to what the music and lyrics were conveying."

JR joined the band at the turn of the century and has played on the band's last three albums after his previous band, Spring Heeled Jack, disbanded.

Despite having a career which goes back to the early 1990s, JR said he and the other members of the band don't find it difficult to find inspiration for new material.

"If you're an artist you create – that's part of the deal," he says.

"If you lose creativity in whatever you do you should stop.

"We all get along – that's the most important thing – also when we take breaks we take proper breaks from each other.

"Separation is as important as being together because it makes you miss what you are doing."
Outside of connecting with this current studio venture, the band is also excited about the creation of Sleep It Off records, a move that puts members exclusively in the driver's seat after a past with indie and major labels.

"We all decided it was going to be the right thing to do," explains JR.

"Why are we going to pay another person to do what we know how to do?

"Nothing's going to change us; we're never going to be a huge band on MTV or on the radio, we're not the Jonas Brothers.

"We used to do it on our own, and now we're just 15 years older, with more experience each."

With an illustrious career under their belts LTJ have toured in most corners of the world.

However, there are still places the band hope to venture to.

"I'd really like to go to the Pacific rim – Singapore, China, Thailand, Korea – we've never really been down that way," explains JR.

"I'd love to go to India to play a show, I don't even know what we'd be like but I'd be something cool.

"Getting up on stage is the pay-off, for all the travelling and fights and customs officials, playing the show makes it worth it."

With this tour taking the band to Europe, JR explains that he's already cast his vote in the forthcoming US presidential elections.

"I've voted for Barack Obama and I'll tell you the real reason – sheer smart common sense," he says.

"I voted for him not because he speaks well, not because he's well educated or because I believe in his policies.

"The reason I voted for Barack Obama is because John McCain is 72 years old.

"If he was to drop dead in the White House, Sarah Palin would become President.

"I would kill myself if that woman became the president of the United States.

"I think that Barack Obama will make a really good president but unfortunately whoever wins is walking into a massive mess.

"I hope Barack wins but the way the last two elections have gone, if John McCain wins I wouldn't be shocked – the Republicans have a deal with devil."

The band plays the Northampton Roadmender on Monday, November 3.