Serious Ska

After watching Gwen Stefani bounce and pout her way through “Just a Girl” for the 10-zillionth time, one would get the impression that, in the grand scheme of the cosmos, ska is about as memorable as that movie you saw last summer with whatzername. Although the happy-feet aspect of ska remains alive and well, a serious side will surface at the epic Ska Against Racism tour tonight at the Ventura Theatre.

Eight bands will keep the skinheads, finheads and skateheads skanking and sweating (and, hopefully, thinking) during this lengthy dance marathon, which will begin at the early hour of 6 p.m. to accommodate an all-ages crowd. On the bill will be Less Than Jake, the Toasters, Blue Meanies, Skanic, Five Iron Frenzy, MU330 and the No. 1 ska band in Japan, Kemuri. Also taking the stage for the first time in a couple of years will be former Skankin’ Pickle front-man Mike Park.

In fact, Park, along with booking agent Rick Bonde, is to blame for this 38-date adventure. Organizations such as Anti-Racist Action, Artists for a Hate-Free America and the Museum of Tolerance will staff information booths and receive a portion of the proceeds from the tour.

Ska began about 40 years ago, when Jamaicans combined African rhythms with American R&B; they picked up on the radio. About 20 years ago, the so-called two-tone interracial bands from England--such as Madness, the Specials and the English Beat--raised ska to a higher (and more danceable) level and popularized the black-and-white checks logo. These bands could turn a sobriety checkpoint into a dance.

Ska has been around since, especially in California, where it always seems to draw well. Bands such as No Doubt and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones have sold lots of albums and elevated ska to a new level.

Less Than Jake isn’t doing too badly, either. Vinnie--just Vinnie--of Less Than Jake seemed more than anxious to get this thing on the road as he spoke by phone from Seattle on the eve of the tour’s initial gig.

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What’s your take on this Ska Against Racism tour?

It’s gonna be awesome bringing to the plate this thing against racism. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for the last year. A lot of people think ska is all about having fun, all lightweight and fluffy. But if you listen to the lyrics, the Specials wrote songs about jobs, the working class and social consciousness.

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What’s the story on your song “9th at Pine”?

We were in the parking lot of this club in Portland when a bunch of skinheads were ganging up on one kid, and this crowd wasn’t doing a damn thing. It almost seems like violence for people 21 and under has become a spectator sport, and that sucks.

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How would you describe Less Than Jake music?

One part ‘80s rock, two parts punk and one part pop. When we started five years ago, there was just three of us, and now there’s six of us. We heard this band from England called Snuff who had a trombone player, sort of pop punk with a horn. We’ve gradually built our horn section.

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What do you see for the future of ska?

It’s been growing by leaps and bounds, and gained a lot of media attention lately, and record sales have been great for select bands. Ska is at a stage where it’s shedding its skin, and it’s either going to get bigger or smaller. Bands like the Bosstones and Reel Big Fish, and to a lesser extent Rancid, are doing fine. Maybe there’s room for a couple of other bands to hit it big and put it over the top.

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Like Less Than Jake, maybe?

I don’t know about that.

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Your last album is two years old now and is still selling 2,000 copies a week. How do you account for that?

The album is weird. We get minimal airplay and no video airplay, but then I open Alternative Press magazine, and there we are as Best Live Band, right after the Bosstones. We tour our [butts] off--nine months out of 12 last year. And we treat our fans like they’re family. You come to see us--you’re more than just a fan--I’d give you the shirt off my back.

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OK, so who’s Jake?

Jake was my dog, an English bulldog. I remember my dad would go to Red Lobster at night to buy a steak for Jake. Everyone in the house was less than Jake.

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No one has a last name in the band?

We used to, but first names are so much better. When we first started, we’d play at someone’s house and when the cops showed up, only first names worked better. It was convenient. When the cops asked for someone, I say, “I don’t know anything about any band, I’m just Vinnie.”

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And these are all going to be all-ages shows?

Always. That’s one of the most important things to us. Kids from 13 to 25 usually go to Less Than Jake shows, mostly males, but a few females. They’re mostly just white suburban kids, and that’s the target audience. This information on racism is stuff these kids need to pick up. A lot of these kids are missing the point.

BE THERE

Ska Against Racism Tour, featuring Less Than Jake, the Toasters, Blue Meanies, Skanic, Five Iron Frenzy, MU330, Kemuri and Mike “Bruce Lee” Park at the Ventura Theatre, 26 Chestnut St., today, 6 p.m. $15. (805) 653-0721.