Less Than Jake, Mariachi El Bronx, The Skints & KEMURI
@ O2 Academy, Birmingham 05/10/16

There are two bands in this world that we could watch everyday, and never get bored of: one is Reel Big Fish, the other is the headliners on the first ever Fireball: Fueling the Fire Tour- Less Than Jake. There is a unrivaled energy and joy that Ska can bring, so LTJ are perfect for any Cinnamon flavored liquor brand to send out on tour to represent them.

Before LTJ and opening the night, were a band from the other side of the world, Japanese Ska band KEMURI who were just something else! You wouldn’t usually associate Japan with Ska, but KEMURI provide a style of music that is very much a foreign interpretation of a non-traditional style of music, but it works so well. The most apparent thing is the enthusiasm from the whole band, you would be hard pressed to find a happier band, I’ll go out on a limb and say you just can’t! Amongst the energy and enthusiasm, KEMURI also brought a level of humbleness to the stage and I’m sure that this, the bands first trip to the UK, won’t be their last.

The idea of a Reggae band being shoved on a punk bill seems like something that wouldn’t really work, however The Skints are a band that never seem to struggle in drawing a responsive crowd. Through The Skints Reggae is showing signs of evolution and development, this isn’t the Reggae that your Mum and Dad might have listened to, this is a style of Reggae that displays broad influences, from Drum and Bass, Techno and Ska.

After the energy of KEMURI The Skints really set a different tone, and changed the atmosphere in the room, earlier frets about the line-up were unfounded though, as the now full Birmingham 02 was swaying along with this laid back, authentic and original quartet.

Mariachi El Bronx are just the oddest thing, and here we have to explain them to you. So. Mariachi El Bronx are also a band called The Bronx. The Bronx are Brooklyn’s Hardcore Punk at its finest, and Mariachi is their alter ego! Another slight wildcard that were really positively received on this night in Birmingham. What a crazy project, but it’s so much fun! The stage was full of these amazing musicians creating a sound unlike the 02 has ever heard before in their vibrant mariachi uniforms, it was surreal but completely wonderful!

There are few bands that can stand the test of time. Let alone get better with age! Less Than Jake have been around for over twenty years, and haven’t seemed to age a day. They have the enthusiasm of children, the energy of athletes and the crazy edible tunes of the one and only Less Than Jake. These guys are bucket list worthy, you need to see them (at the very least once) in your lifetime, and drag everyone you can along for the ride. They put on a show to end all shows, ten gigs in, we’re still hungry for LTJ.

With EIGHT studio albums to choose from writing a setlist must really be a bitch, but LTJ has finessed this to an art, scattering beloved classics with album tracks and lesser known songs. The audience were eating them up and sweating them out. It was a crazy show including dragging audience members onto the stage, forcing whiskey on them and making them kiss!

Less Than Jake truly have an infectious energy and a uplifting and addictive sound, there’s only one LTJ and they kill it every time.

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