10 Ultimate Ska Anthems

10. Less Than Jake – “Look What Happened”

Representing the Sunshine State in all its glory, the Gainesville based Less Than Jake have been flying the flag for the Florida ska-punk scene since the early nineties.

Although “Look What Happened” is best known for being featured on the band’s most commercially successful album Anthem in 2003, the original version of the track, with a much more ska-centric sound, first appeared three years previously, on their album Borders & Boundaries, released on the independent label Fat Wreck Chords.

Featuring a totally tantalizing brass section and shared vocals between lead singer and guitarist Chris DeMakes and bassist Roger Lima, Less Than Jake’s adolescent tale of earning to escape a dead end town has become a fan favourite, despite never being released as a single. Created in the band’s signature style, “Look What Happened” includes the fast pace and melodic elements of the favoured pop-punk sound of the early 2000s, but with the added bonus of the jazzy, jubilant horns of ska.

Despite parting ways with their long-time drummer and lyricist Vinnie Fiorello in 2018, Less Than Jake, with nearly 30 years under their belts, continue to crank out youthful ska-punk anthems, keeping the crowd moving to a third wave ska sound they helped craft.