"Flash" doesn't describe Jake's drumming style, "high energy" is definitely
there, but "rock-solid" is probably more apt. Unlike most rock musicians, Jakešs day usually starts well before noon, as he works as a second engineer at one of Hollywood's busiest recording/rehearsal studios and pulls some night shifts at a video store. So when the hand cramps start kicking in after a full day's work and more than a few hours of Pigdog rehearsal, Jake, like he has his whole life, just plays through. After all, this guy's no stranger to hard work. He learned his strong work ethic from his mom, a health care pro, who also single-handedly raised his two younger brothers. Jake's first job came at the age of 14 in catering, but soon enough, he was hired by the Portland Trailblazers and spent five years working his way up to Asst. Equipment Manager. On his way to that position, he was the Gatorade-and-Towel Guy, where he learned a prevailing truth about professional athletes, "If anything goes wrong, it's always your fault."