Nicknamed "Hogtown" after a 19th Century Seminole hog-raising settlement, Gainesville, Florida is now home to two of the largest university campuses in the United States. With a population of less than 130,000, Gainesville isn't exactly a bustling metropolis, but it has been ranked one of the top places to live and play according to National Geographic.

Gainesville, located in northern central Florida, is dubbed the Tree City of the USA thanks to dense forests of evergreens and conifers. Beneath this thick canopy of leafy boughs, the urban cityscape sprawls in a miasma of marijuana (the city is notorious for a particularly potent strain called "Gainesville Green"). Despite, or perhaps because of this druggie counter culture, Gainesville has earned a reputation for supporting the arts, both visual artists and of course musicians, giving rise to the likes of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Eagles, and Sister Hazel. Less Than Jake, ska-punk-pop-rock band, hails from this humid city and pays homage to their roots with the song "Gainesville Rock City."

Formed in 1992, Less Than Jake draws inspiration from diverse genres, including grunge and heavy metal, while maintaining a more punk-ska attitude that has become the signature sound of the band. In 2000, Less Than Jake released their fourth studio album on Fat Wreck Records. Borders and Boundaries features guest trombonist Pete Anna and saxophonist Derron Nuhfer. The album, as the title suggests, is a romping mix of signature ska and heavier cross-over tracks. Less Than Jake, like many punk bands, is able to insinuate melancholy and introspective lyrics into jumpy dance tracks. There's a certain irony in songs that deal with themes of self-destructive behavior, addiction and degradation while inciting listeners to hop around deliriously in that unique circular punk-dance known as a skank. "Gainesville Rock City" is no exception.

"Gainesville Rock City" lyrically might be construed as a reflection on the band's younger, wilder days spent simmering in angst and Gainesville humidity with lines like "...my past mistakes and the wasted days, I wouldn't have it any other way." The seventh track on the album, "Gainesville Rock City" is one of only six tracks on the 15-track album to tip over the three-minute mark. And a spirited three minutes they are. Sandwiched between a song about Mark Cruce's drinking antics and a song called "Malt Liquor Tastes Better When You've Got Problems," "Gainesville Rock City" is a much needed respite from the incessant drinking theme prevalent on this album and others. "Our drummer writes the lyrics, which is a little different," says frontman Chris Demakes, which may explain the tendency towards alcoholic themes. Punk-rock drummers do have a certain bad-boy reputation to maintain.

Less Than Jake has persisted for 20 years in an industry saturated by young bands blowing their literal horns and tying to make a mark on the punk-rock scene. "Gainesville Rock City" might not be exemplary of their signature ska sound but it does embrace the band's more eclectic influences, opening with triumphant trombones before a heavy guitar riff leads the brass into the meat of the song marked by a repetitive, driving, thumping energy juxtaposed with Demakes' strained vocals.

"Gainesville Rock City," the words repeated during the anthemic chorus, is a celebration of Less Than Jake's roots and a tip of the hat to their home town.

Suzanne van Rooyen
March 21, 2014

Suzanne is a tattooed storyteller from South Africa. Although she has a Master's degree in music, Suzanne prefers conjuring strange worlds and creating quirky characters. Her published novels include Dragon's Teeth, Obscura Burning, and The Other Me.

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