Earlier this month, Less Than Jake released their ninth studio album, entitled See the Light. It was recorded by their singer/bassist Roger Lima at his own studio, resulting in a record that retains somewhat of an old school vibe, but also sees the band explore new musical frontiers. To be brief, the album is by no means a rehash, rather it sounds like a reinvigorated version of LTJ’s classic characteristics. We spoke with drummer/lyricist Vinnie Fiorello on the day that See the Light came out. We talked about how the record was written, its lyrics and its style. We also discussed their plans for next year, as well as the long-term future of Less Than Jake.

Bill – Tell me about the writing process for See the Light. Was the approach for this album different than what you’ve done in the past?

Vinnie – I think that the approach was a little bit more thorough than prior records. Sometimes in the past we would kind of have a sketch of an idea, then hit the studio and then kind of form the idea more when we were in the studio. This time around, we sat in a room in our warehouse and just brought in ideas for chords and for lyrics, and kind of went through it and woodshedded the idea. I said it in previous interviews, but I’ll say it again, it was a very natural process. It evolved organically and that was a cool thing.

Bill – What was your time in the studio like with Roger and what are your favorite aspects of how the recording turned out?

Vinnie – I think when you’re talking about a self-contained band like Less Than Jake, I think the best part of that is the fact that it’s a bit more relaxed. Not only that, but with that relaxation comes a bit more focus. Internally you can discuss things in a normal atmosphere. Usually prior to that, when we were in a bigger studio or maybe with a name producer, things get a little bit more highly-charged. There’s this other person that’s in there at times who explains their view of what they think the song should be. This time around, when you’re talking with the people you’ve been in a band with for 21 years, you kind of get your point across and it adds to the more focus in the studio. In the Moathouse, (Roger’s studio) it was relaxed. I’m a new dad as well, so being able to come to the studio and then go back home and kind of be able to be with the family, that was a plus as well. In terms of the recording, I think this is the first record that I can actually say that I loved the way the horns came out. I think the horns are powerful and tight, and where they lay in the mix and the intensity really kind of lends itself to what it sounds like live. That’s one of my favorite parts. Roger and Chris, (singer/guitarist Chris DeMakes), I think the vocals and how the vocals were treated in the mixing process, they came out fantastic.

Bill – How does it feel to be releasing a new album with Fat Wreck Chords again?

Vinnie – It feels like we never left. That’s a somewhat cliché thing to say, but it’s true. It’s very relaxed. There’s no contract, there’s just kind of a verbal agreement of how things are going to run. We had looked originally for a partner to do the North American version of Greetings & Salutations, which was the tour and record that we were doing. We approached Mike, (Fat Mike, Fat Wreck Chords owner) because we were playing with Me First and the Gimme Gimmes over in Europe and asked him if he was interested. He listened to the songs and came back and was like, “These are strong songs, man. I’m stoked. I’d love to do it.” So they handled North America and after that we got back from tour and we were starting the writing process and just reached out and said, “Hey, we’re writing a new record.” And they said, “Hey, we would love to be involved.” It just kind of evolved that way. It’s just an extension of what we were doing internally and kind of lends itself to the vibe that we had.

Bill – How would you describe the music on See the Light?

Vinnie – I think it’s every element of Less Than Jake combined into one record. If you’ve been a longtime fan, you can probably pick out different influences from different eras of our band. I’m not saying that it’s a throwback or we’re retreading, but it’s the same core guys that are writing the songs. One of the reviews that I’ve seen in the last few weeks, it said basically “It sounds like a Less Than Jake record.” But, I will say that I think that coming off of whatever format you’re listening to, whatever is coming out of your speakers, I think has more power and has more passion and it feels like there’s a breath of fresh air involved in it.

Bill – By and large, the record’s lyrics are fairly positive. Where did this sort of inspiration come from?

Vinnie – I think it goes back to being a new dad. There are some things that you want to leave, not that I’m worrying about legacy, but I am starting to want to have something that’s a little bit more positive to say for not only my daughter, but for other people too. There’s so much negativity that’s around right now that when we were writing it, we just wanted something a little more to the point, and to the point of positivity. I’m not trying to throw any kind of existential fuckin’ hippie bullshit at you, but what I am throwing out is that it’s a tough time for a lot of people. The economy is off-kilter, politics are off-kilter and family life in general is off-kilter. Going into this record, you want to talk real talk about real problems, but you also don’t want to be the one that’s on a soapbox bitching about it as well. You want to say to somebody that can feel that problem that I’m there with you and I understand what you’re going through and shit’s going to be okay. Because shit’s always going to be okay, man. If you’re living and you’re breathing, shit’s okay.

Bill – Would you classify See the Light as a concept album?

Vinnie – Vaguely, just because it has a lot to do with faith. Not necessarily religious faith, but faith in the future and faith in what you’re individually thinking and how to get to that point yourself.

Bill – Yeah, I just feel like a lot of the songs flow together and kind of tie in with the album artwork…

Vinnie – You hit the nail on the head. That’s what a record’s supposed to be. That’s what an album is supposed to be. It’s supposed to be this sort of mass of ideas that flows together and is tied together by artwork and lyrics. That was our intention. We wanted to do a full album, a full thought, not just little bits and pieces cobbled together to make 13 songs on a record.

Bill – What have been some of the highlights from the Fat Tour so far?

Vinnie – Philly was a great show. Then we did our own show, part of this other package in Jersey and that was amazing. The highlight so far has been the Highline in New York City. It’s just a really great venue. The sound is amazing in there and it looks amazing. The night was right; it was fantastic and sits at the top right now.

Bill – Having played Chicago numerous times over the last 20 years, are there any shows in particular that stand out as the most memorable?

Vinnie – I could go through it all right now. First time we played in Chicago, we were supposed to play the Misfits of Ska CD release party at the Metro. As soon as we pulled in, there was a blackout and the show was cancelled. I remember that there was just mayhem in the streets. Police were out and people were in the streets, just partying because there was no electricity in the house. People were just going crazy. But, I also remember being devastated because that was supposed to be a really big show. Then I remember the first time we headlined Fireside Bowl. It was us and Against All Authority. That was the first time that we played outside of Gainesville that it felt like a hometown show. I remember us and The Descendents at the Congress Theater, which was a fantastic show. Then it was us and ALL and Snuff at Metro. Then it was us and Suicide Machines there. Beyond that it starts to blur together a little bit. I remember a great show with Bad Religion and Hot Water Music. Dude, Chicago is always one of those places and has been, and I hope always will be in the future, like a second home to Less Than Jake. We’ve always been embraced by the punk scene there and we’ve been treated well. I mean hell, we recorded GNV FLA there. It feels like home and it’s always a bright spot for me when we’re touring.

Bill – That’s pretty impressive you remember all those early shows in that kind of detail…

Vinnie – I try for sure. It’s kind of crazy. I forgot one really big one, to be honest with you, and that’s the two Riot Fests that we’ve done. They’ve been amazing and those guys are doing our Chicago show at the new venue The Concord. We’ve never been there before. I mean, tip the hat to those dudes for putting something together that started out as just a punk fest to where it’s at right now. It’s awe-inspiring and just kudos all around to the Riot Fest guys. They’re doing our Chicago show and they’re giving back to the scene that sort of props them up. It’s great.

Bill – You guys have a UK tour scheduled for early next year, but after that what else do you have planned for 2014?

Vinnie – Right now only one more thing, which would be right after the UK tour we’re going over to do Soundwave Festival in Australia. We have some plans right now, but we’re just kind of working it out. I’m sure we’ll go back to Europe sometime, so we’re talking about that. We have to go back to South America because the promoter sort of dropped the ball when we were supposed to go last time and the tour fell apart. We’ll have to go back and do that, and then of course this sort of ominous summer plan thing that we’re going through. We’ll see what pans out with that. It’s a new record year, man. Our record is out today, so it’s going to be a busy year.

Bill – When you think about the long-term future of Less Than Jake, what sorts of things come to mind?

Vinnie – You know, I always think that our band is a band of small steps. We played a lot of small shows in Gainesville and then we started to go on weekend tours around Florida. Then we started to do one show out of state, and then it was a full tour of the East Coast and Midwest. Then it was a West Coast tour and then it was a whole US tour and so on. We’ve been a band of small steps, but I think we’re also a band with a solid foundation. A solid musical foundation, a solid fan foundation, and generally speaking when it comes to the band, it’s like at least we can build a house on something that solid. We just try to continually build on the house that we’ve built.