Interview: OF LIMBO's Jake Davies discusses new Van Halen cover, upcoming unplugged album, writing process, and much more

Written By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications

Melbourne, Australia raised, Long Beach, California residing rock-and-roll Davies’ brother duo OF LIMBO are releasing an acoustic unplugged album this summer. 

Brothers Jake and Luke both share roles of vocals and guitar, and in 2017 they released their CD Nicotine and in 2023 they released their self-titled album. They have toured with Blue Oyster Cult, Wolfmother, Faster Pussycat, Hinder, Candlebox, Buckcherry, Small Town Titans and Joyous Wolf, among others.

From the upcoming new Unplugged album, they recently released a third single: their cover of Van Halen’s 1988 song “Finish What Ya Started,” along with a video that gives a salute to the classic original. 

Jake gave time for an in-depth interview with OOTB to discuss the cover song (and Sammy Hagar’s opinion of it), the new 9-song album, the overall writing process, the current state of rock and metal, and what’s all next for the band.

What made you want to record a stripped down acoustic Unplugged album?

 

We grew up on the Alice In Chains and Nirvana MTV Unplugged records. Can’t tell you how many times I must have listened to the Alice In Chains’ one. 

We had this live acoustic cover of “Down In A Hole” that got a great response at our shows—so we said to ourselves: “You know what? We should just make a full unplugged album.” 

At first we thought we were going to do the whole thing live, but then we we started writing some of the songs like “Something Real” and “One of These Days,” and  we realized there were just a lot of elements we wanted in there that needed a full tracking treatment. 

For instance, on “One Of These Days” we used this little guitar bow thing that makes an acoustic sound like a violin or cello.

 

On the upcoming Unplugged album, how and why did you decide on the particular cover songs to record, and what are some of those songs (outside of “Finish What Ya Started” and previously released “Fight For Your Right”)?

 

“Finish What Ya Started” was the idea of Jason Klein (formerly of Butcher Babies)—our Unplugged bass player. His work on the fretless bass has been a defining element of our Unplugged sound. 

I think “Street Spirit” by Radiohead was my idea. Jason’s fretless work again adds so much to this one. 

But, what really took it to another level was our friend Lucas Holter’s (from Whisky & The Wolves) vocals on it with us. When he hits this massive note in “immerse your soul in love” our jaws were on the floor! 

 

When you come together to write a new song, what are goals and intentions through the lyrics and sound?

 

Whether writing for unplugged or full band, the approach is almost always the same. 

Ninety percent of the time it starts with a single riff and we build everything off that. All guitar parts first, then bass, drums, and finally vocals. 

Usually we will map that out just scatting random sounds to get the melody and syncopation down. Often just the sounds of the scatting will inform what the main lyric becomes, which is cool. It’s kind of like destiny or kismet—what the universe or whatever always intended the song to be. 

Lyrics are always last for us. We usually write songs at a booth in the bar next to our place in Long Beach at The V Room. 

 

What’s your opinion on the state of today’s rock-and-roll?

 

Rock will never truly die. But it certainly seems like a homogenized amalgam of all genres now. 

I personally feel like Metal particularly has fallen into this over-produced, backing track, synth heavy, cookie cutter formula. 

I understand why they do the backing track thing live, but I just don’t like it personally; I’d rather hear a live band playing live music instead of this Millie Vanilli thing that’s the absolute standard now. 

 

What are your next plans both before and during the release of the Unplugged album this summer and goals after the release?  And what is the release date, if set?

 

The album can be purchased in its entirety right now on our website as a CD. But not sure when all the songs will have been released on streaming platforms, but as of now it’s looking like mid-to-late July.  

We are trying to get a new song with a video up once a month, but with a bit of leeway as we see how each track does.   

Next up will probably be “Something Real;” we are deeply proud of that song. It’s a true “Luke song,” he lead the way on guitar. I helped with a couple bells and whistles on how the lead line is played, and we wrote lyrics together, as always. But that’s really his song and I absolutely love it. 

 

Is there anything else you’d like to add?   

 

Go check out our “Finish What Ya Started” cover; the video was a lot of fun. We tried to recreate the Van Halen original video and I think we nailed the essence pretty well. 

We are friends with Andrew Hagar, Sammy’s son. He said he showed it to his pops, who loved it. So we couldn’t be more stoked after hearing that!   

Get Album

https://shop.oflimbo.com/products/of-limbo-unplugged

Upcoming Live Shows

 

Friday, April 18th at 4th Street Vine - Long Beach, CA  (Acoustic)

Saturday, May 3rd at The 3 Clubs - Hollywood, CA (Full band/Electric)

 

Follow OF LIMBO

 

Website / Instagram  / Facebook / X / YouTube / TikTok / Bands In Town

 

 

Photo: Jerry Nicholl