Page 45 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine Issue 102

BV102 pg44&45_BV102 pg45 30/09/2019 00:14 Page 2

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The band we are the most eager to see is Goldfinger. It’s been too long since we last saw them – after missing them at Slam Dunk and their
previous tour. The wait has been most definitely worth it though, as they perform the classic Goldfinger songs and it’s almost as if we’ve been transported
back a decade to when the band toured more heavily. These days they include Mike Herrera of MxPx, Moon (ex-Story Of The Year) and Cyrus Bolooki
of New Found Glory on drums. We weren’t expecting Charlie Paulson to also be a part of the band, so it’s quite a surprise when the band come on
stage and he is there – making Goldfinger almost a pop-punk supergroup. And as soon as ‘Spokesman’ begins, it’s magical. It’s quite possible that
when looking for new members, John Feldmann’s requirement, aside from being able to play exceptionally, is to be able to jump five foot off the ground
at least 50 times without getting tired! The guys at the front all jump numerous times. They have so much energy it’s contagious. And then comes
‘Open Your Eyes’, the band’s most important song ever; a real impassioned statement. ‘Fuck Ted Nugent’ is also resplendent in its one-finger salute

to everything that’s wrong in the world in one person. For the second verse, instead of calling out Jennifer Lopez as was on disc, Feldy sings ‘Fuck
Donald Trump’ – which gets a cheer. Please, Goldfinger, come back again soon.
And to the headliners of the event – Less Than Jake. Like Goldfinger, they’re one of those ska-pop-punk bands that just hit the nail on the head.
They’re always fun and make a night out a very enjoyable and entertaining one. Tonight, they’re playing their ‘Hello Rockview’ album in full. Kicking
off with opening number ‘Last One Out Of Liberty City’, with smoke blasts and confetti, it’s another party kick-started with high energy and life-affirming
magnetism. It’s not often you get ‘All My Friends Are Metalheads’ so early in the set, and that, along with ‘Nervous In The Alley’ are two of Less Than
Jake’s best songs. Bassist Roger comments a couple of times about how it’s weird performing some of the lesser-played songs. ‘Motto’ is one of the
faster-paced tracks. Buddy gives out Fireball shots and runs around the stage like he’s doing a workout. Vocalist/guitarist Chris Demakes dedicates
a song to an audience member with ‘grey hair who looks like he’s going to pass out’, telling the crowd to crowd surf him around the room (this, in hind-
sight, is not a good idea as, after the song, we suddenly spot the same man lying on the floor at the end of the photopit with first aiders around him).
During the final song of the album, the melodic ‘Al’s War’, two giant blow-up Evo Kids (Less Than Jake’s mascot) pop up on either side of the back of
the stage.
After the whole album is played, the band return for an encore that includes another favourite, ‘Look What Happened’, which sees Chris and Roger
share the lead vocals, ‘The Science Of Selling Yourself Short’ and ‘Plastic Cup Politics’, both of which Roger sings (he comments ‘why am I singing
all the songs in the encore?!’) and then the ultimate ska-pop-punk party pleaser ‘Gainesville Rock City’, which sees a chaotic moshpit kick off the start
of the song, and a sing-along to end. The band leave the stage to the sounds of Bon Jovi’s ‘Never Say Goodbye’ – and Less Than Jake, like Bon Jovi,
is one band we definitely hope never say goodbye.
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(Opposite) Chris Demakes (Less Than Jake) & (This Page) John Feldmann (Goldfinger) Photos By Shari Black Velvet
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