Less Than Jake “Summer Circus 2025 Tour” Brings Legendary Mayhem to New Jersey [Photos]

Less Than Jake brought their “Summer Circus 2025 Tour” to Sayreville, NJ’s Starland Ballroom. Bite Me Bambi kicked things off as the first band of the night, warming up the room with their upbeat ska-pop style.

Next on the stage was The Suicide Machines, who delivered a relentless 15-song set packed with punk fury and crowd-favourite anthems like “Permanent Holiday,” “No Face,” and “DDT.” Their set was a whirlwind of energy, with fans shouting along from the first note.

Fishbone followed, bringing their signature mix of ska, funk, and soul. Songs like “Swim,” “Subliminal Fascism,” and “Party at Ground Zero” hit hard, showing off the band’s unmatched showmanship and fun brilliance. The crowd skanked, bounced, and shouted throughout their set.

With the stage primed and the energy high, Less Than Jake headlined the night in true party-punk fashion. These ska-punk legends treated New Jersey to their signature upbeat and playfully chaotic show.

The band was formed in Gainesville, Florida, in 1992, and has been a leader in the scene ever since. The band consists of Chris DeMakes (guitars, vocals), Roger Lima (bass, vocals), Buddy Schaub (trombone), Peter “JR” Wasilewski (saxophone) and Matt Yonker (drums).

The stage popped with carnival-like flair, featuring a massive backdrop in bright red, yellow, and blue tones. With a retro circus-style banner and vibrant curtains showcasing cartoon acrobats mid-flip, it was totally on-brand for the band’s chaotic, humorous spirit. The visuals scream vintage sideshow meets punk rock mayhem.

The whole setup gave off a playful, nostalgic energy that set the tone before the band even stormed on to play their first note.

Less Than Jake’s performance was a high-energy rollercoaster of ska-punk that delivered a perfect blend of chaos and crowd connection. From the first blaring horn of “Gainesville Rock City,” the band had fans bouncing along and singing every word. With a setlist stacked with fan favourites and deep cuts, they tore through songs that spanned decades of their discography.

When the infamous toilet paper shooter launched into the crowd, it was chaos in the best way. Kids were jumping, and adults were laughing. It was pure, goofy fun that somehow captured exactly what Less Than Jake is all about: not taking life too seriously and making sure every generation in the crowd is having the time of their lives.

The crowd roared for anthems like “All My Best Friends Are Metalheads” and “Plastic Cup Politics,” while unexpected moments like the tour debut of “Never Going Back to New Jersey” brought surprise and excitement. They even threw in a fun twist with “Animaniacs.”

The night was extremely fun and a true ska-punk celebration. Less Than Jake showed New Jersey exactly why they’ve been scene staples and legends since 1992.

Less Than Jake (w/ Fishbone & The Suicide Machines) @ Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ) on June 20th, 2025

78 photos