Issue 44: Peter "JR" Wasilewski of Less Than Jake
Welcome to The Band Bible! I’m truly glad to have you here. If you’re a new reader, purpose of this newsletter is to address, break down, and shine a light on the business of being in a band. Each issue, this is done by interviewing (and celebrating!) someone who is making waves through their incredible work with artists, or is an artist themselves. Learning the business of being in a band is something that is often inaccessible or shrouded in mystery, and it shouldn’t be, so I hope The Band Bible is able to play even a small role in helping to change that.
If you click on the “About” section of ska punk stalwarts Less Than Jake’s website, you’ll see the following line: “Less Than Jake doesn’t just bring the party, they are the party!”
If you’ve heard even one of their songs, you’ll know how profoundly true this is. For the past 33 years, Less Than Jake have been delighting audiences with supercharged sun-soaked pep. This has been a throughline that has prevailed over the course of nine LPs, six live albums, five compilation albums, ten EPs (for those interested in the math, that’s a whopping 30 in total), and a consistently busy touring schedule. Across several decades, cities, and releases, Less Than Jake have served as a longstanding source of joy.
Something that makes Less Than Jake special is their ability to bring and be the party when you least feel like having one. Some of the most exuberant music you’ll ever hear pairs with lyrics that tackle the drudgery and difficulty we’ll all repeatedly face over the course of our lives. For instance, “Bomb Drop” highlights the lack of sustainability that comes with living alongside persistent dread. “Lie To Me” unpacks being at a difficult point in a relationship. Fan favorite “All My Best Friends Are Metalheads” heeds warning about groupthink and making assumptions about others. “So Much Less” longs for a calmer world, but amidst the malaise, proclaims that “it’s not ok, but either way, we’re gonna make it through today.”
Less Than Jake understands that the party isn’t solely reserved to make the good times better — crucially, it’s also there to make the hard times bearable. Arguably, that’s when we need it the most. That’s when we most need the hope, the sun-soaked pep, to counterbalance the storms we find ourselves in the eye of. In doing so, Less Than Jake sends an important message: Things can be bright even when you’re sad. Things can be bright even when you’re lost. Things can be bright even when you’re confused, angry, scorned, and stuck. That bit of brightness is always there. It may be hiding sometimes, but Less Than Jake has an enduring knack for bringing it into full view. This makes their work the musical equivalent of the friend who comes over on your lowest day, opens your blinds to let the light seep in, and lovingly corrals you to step outside to get at least a little bit of fresh air. All we have to do is tune in.
By being and bringing the party in moments where it’s most needed, Less Than Jake have achieved something that becomes increasingly difficult to do with each passing year: they lighten hearts. As a result, their music has made the world a sunnier place to be for listeners across decades and generations.
In fact, there’s science behind this. Positive emotions have been proven to result in the accumulation of psychological resilience. Less Than Jake isn’t just helping us to breathe easier — they’re making us stronger.
A central component of ska punk is the saxophone, and in Less Than Jake, Peter “JR” Wasilewski is responsible for that. In the interview you’re about to read, Wasilewski shares what folks may not know about being in a band that has “made it,” what he learned from Less Than Jake’s early years, the commandment he’s leaving in The Band Bible, and more. Enjoy.
You've previously mentioned having joined Less Than Jake shortly after graduating from college. What has it been like to grow up in the same band?
To be honest, I felt pretty grown up by the time I joined LTJ, but to now be almost 50, it’s certainly humbling to have been able to continue to do this for as long as we have. It doesn’t escape us that many of the bands we came up with no longer exist. We are grateful and I am truly blessed.
It can be easy for newer bands to wish away their time as up-and-comers, even though that time has meaning too. That said, what do you value about the early years of Less Than Jake?
What I value most is all the failures we made. Lessons learned is what kept us going. Continuing to make mistakes is what keeps us humble.
Less Than Jake is known for hitting the road. What have you learned about taking care of yourself while on tour over the years?
Sleep more, drink less alcohol, drink more water, eat less fried/fast food, move when you can — don’t sit around all day and wait for the show. That’s about it.
Less Than Jake has achieved a level of success that’s rarely reached. Is there anything folks might be surprised to know about what it's like to be a band that has "made it"?
We all still take out the trash, mow the lawn and wash our cars. Success doesn’t mean you stop being a normal human, it just gives the perception of something magical. In reality, it’s all smoke and mirrors. We live normal lives and are happy to.
Lastly, which “commandment” would you like to leave in The Band Bible?
Thou shalt not partake in decaf — until the doctor says you have to.
A big thanks to JR for taking the time to share such fantastic answers amidst Less Than Jake’s packed touring schedule (which you can check out here). While you’re on their website, you can also check out merch, their music videos, access links to streaming and socials, and more.
In addition to JR, Less Than Jake is Chris DeMakes (guitar/vocals), Roger Lima (bass/vocals), Buddy Schaub (trombone), and Matt Yonker (drums).