Last Saturday, I got to see Less Than Jake on their Skanksgiving 2016 tour. Well, technically I got to see a whole bunch of ska punk bands, as well as Less Than Jake. To say the least, it was quite an experience.
The night didn't start out the way I had hoped. I hadn't ever been to a show that big for anyone other than a pop-punk band, the friend I was supposed to meet there couldn't make it, and the venue was completely unfamiliar, so I felt lost and more than a little awkward standing by myself.
Now, don't get me wrong: I love ska punk, and Less Than Jake hold a very special place in my heart. I just never got the chance to go to such a big punk show before this one, so I didn't know what to expect. The fact that the venue was completely new to me didn't help much with the uncertainty, either.
While the first band, Sweet Lucy, played, I moved around the crowd quite a bit, trying to find a place where I could stand without getting knocked over by or into the pit. It was huge, intimidating, and a little concerning for someone with as little coordination as me.
Little did I know that during the second band, Backyard Superheroes (who I definitely recommend), I'd want to be in the pit. I obviously didn't partake, as I am merely 5'3 and would be face down on the floor before it even started. However, it was an odd feeling. I've never wanted to be a part of a mosh pit before, never wanted to be pushed and shoved by people I didn't know. I suppose that's the effect of the punk community. We're all friends here, and what's a little shoving between friends?
Before Less Than Jake went on, I decided to make my way towards the back of the venue... Well, the middle really, due to the way the sound desk and bar were set up. I moved because I was there for the sound and the experience, not to be as close to the stage as possible. I'd never give up my spot that close to the stage at a pop-punk show, and I feel like that's an indication of the slight superficiality of the pop-punk community. I do love pop-punk - All Time Low are one of my favorite bands in this world - but nothing beats the sense of equality the audience feels with the musicians at punk shows. Having only been to small, underground punk shows before this one, I thought it would lose that charm, but it didn't.
Needless to say, Less Than Jake were amazing. I've only been listening to them for a couple of years, but I've been dying to see them live since. Oh, and let me tell you, they do not disappoint. I never thought I'd actually be dancing - actually dancing! - at a concert, but there I was, shuffling my shoulders in all my awkward glory. My feet had been killing me all night, but I could barely feel the pain as I let the music occupy my thoughts instead.
They played their "Hello Rockview" album in its entirety that night, which is the first LTJ album that I ever heard. I was especially excited for them to play "Nervous In The Alley," and it turned out to be truly wonderful. There's really nothing that compares to a good trombone intro.
I can't state this as a fact, as I haven't been to all that many big punk shows, but there was something in the atmosphere that night that made it feel like home. The punk community always has and always will offer a place of solace for anyone who needs it, and it's especially apparent at shows. There's always a sense of comfort in the music, which might be odd to think about: what's comforting about simple guitars and badly sung lyrics? Personally, punk music matches my inner monologue. It matches the constant chaos and confusion residing in my mind, so when I hear it, I almost feel like I'm resonating with it. It's like I can forget about my own chaos and simply observe someone else's for the time being. And in its own crazy way, it helps.
Ska punk, I think, is such an interesting take on that. The wind instruments and horns incorporated into that idea make the chaos enjoyable. They make the chaos a celebration, and then experiencing that celebration with varying amounts of strangers creates the sense of community that a lot of other music scenes miss out on.
The only scene I could accurately compare it to, based on experience, is the pop-punk scene. I stated before that it's slightly superficial, which I think comes from the pop side of it. There's a constant push to hero-worship pop-punk artists, much like mainstream celebrities. I'm not trying to point fingers, because I fall into that, too. I will wait for hours for a chance to be right at the barricade at pop-punk shows, but after having been to this gig, I realized that it's a little ridiculous. I can't speak for everyone, but I do believe that the majority of the people at the Less Than Jake show were there for the music - and just the music. We were there to dance, to mosh, or simply to have a good time listening to live music, which are things that seem to be getting lost in superficiality amongst other music scenes.
All in all, what I'm trying to say is that the punk community should not be overlooked, because it truly is a wonderful place. Even though I was alone and awkward that night, I had such a great time. There was a vibe in that room that couldn't be recreated at just any show, which leaves me to eagerly look forward to going to more punk gigs... Preferably not alone, though. Any takers?
