Do you have a story behind your artist name?
I (Jesse) had the name swimming around in my mind for a while as kind of a silly idea for a band name for whatever my “last” band would be in my 40s. So here we are! Last Ditch Effort… before we DIE!
Tells us a bit about your music journey. How has it shaped you?
(Jesse) I started playing drums in middle school, trying to emulate some of the drummers that my dad had followed back in the day, mostly Bonham. So I learned to play loud! That led to Metallica, as most things do in the 90s, and then finally finding Pennywise on the Top Skater game. Punk had it all, speed, heavy riffs, and politicized lyrics. I never went back! Just wanted to play fast and hard, so I did. After being in
bands forever, Covid hit and derailed the project I had been in for a year or so. Having nothing else to do, I decided to start something where I could play guitar and sing for the first time. Youtube was a lifesaver in learning some guitar techniques and basic music theory. So I swapped from drums to guitar and hit up some dudes to jam after the lockdowns and the rest is history.
How would you describe your sound to someone unfamiliar with it?
Last Ditch Effort plays music for pissed off peoples that are looking for anthems to energize them into action. It is fast, loud, and grabs your attention with catchy hooks and choruses. Think about music that makes you grab your skateboard to ride and also bash the fash with.
What drew you to the genre /instruments you’re playing right now?
Just really liking heavy music in any fashion. I (Jesse) have been in bands playing everything from Punk Rock to Metalcore to Hardcore. Anything that had that loud aggressive potential. As a drummer I was drawn to the rhythms and that has carried over into my writing as a guitar player and singer.
What inspires you to write music?
All kinds of stuff. As a historian and a teacher I am kind of forced to pay attention to themes and what is going on in the world. So usually something makes me go “What the fuck is happening?!” and that leads to a lyric idea and the rest kind of just flows out from there.
Would you tell us about your current project, album/EP, or song you’re promoting?
Our newest EP, “Twenty-25” dropped a little over a month ago. This album came to me out of the realization that Trump was inevitably going to be reelected and it was going to spell disaster for most people. This EP marks a huge step forward in our writing and sound. We are hoping that people are as stoked on it as we are!
What do you want listeners to take away from listening to your music?
A sense of the happenings in the world, a warning, but mostly an understanding of our role in the whole scheme of this planet, and our responsibility to fight for our rights and our loved ones that might not be able to do so for themselves.
Who are your top three artists right now? If that’s not a fair question, what’s your favorite song right now?
Ooof! This is rough! I am forever listening to Propaghandi. The Codefendants have found their way into my regular rotation recently. For the last slot… Spanish Love Songs! Because sometimes you just need catharsis in this fucked up world.
What’s the easiest way for fans to connect with you?
We are pretty active on Instagram (@lastditcheffortsj) and we are streaming on all of the major sites.
What’s next for you?
We are already writing more songs for whatever stage we get to next. Until then we just want to keep playing shows and gaining as many listeners as possible! We really like chatting with people that love or hate our music!
Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?
Just wanna say that we are incredibly thankful and appreciative of this opportunity to share our band with you. Your art takes a ton of work and energy so just want to say that we are stoked to be a part of it in any way. Thanks again for reaching out Homies!
Bio:
Hailing from the heart of Corporate Capitalism, Last Ditch Effort attempts to bring back the punk rock sound and attitude of the Punk-o-Rama era, while providing a contemporary social commentary on the prevailing threats of Neo-Fascism. Heavy, angry, inspired punk music should work to combat the complacency and degradation of the working class and LDE hopes to fill that seemingly endless void.
Inspired by the punk bands of the Epitaph/Phat era, L.D.E. hopes to develop a message of not just political despair, but also a feeling of connectedness and camaraderie for the downtrodden masses, living within a system that is designed to prey on their needs and insecurities. For fans of Pennywise, Propaghandi, No Trigger, Hit the Switch, etc etc etc. Plug in, Listen Loud, and Scream Along with Us!
