The band's name derives from a bird Vinnie had while growing up, which was treated better than the rest of the family. It's also a reference to the phrase "everything is jake," which is an old phrase meaning everything is cool.
Less Than Jake released their debut album, Pezcore, in 1995, following a series of independent seven-inch single releases. The band's subsequent two studio albums, Losing Streak (1996) and Hello Rockview (1998), were released on major label, Capitol Records, leading to increased exposure. The band's fifth studio album Anthem (2003) was their most commercially successful to date, featuring the singles, "She's Gonna Break Soon" and "The Science of Selling Yourself Short".
In 2008 the band founded its own label, Sleep It Off Records, and released its seventh full-length album, GNV FLA. The band has recently stated its preference for EP releases, and independently issued Greetings from Less Than Jake (2011) and its counterpart, Seasons Greetings from Less Than Jake (2012). In late 2012, the band combined the two to create the compilation album, Greetings and Salutations (2012) Their eighth studio album, See the Light, was released on November 12, 2013.
Miscellaneous Info:
Vinnie was previously the owner of the independent record label Fueled by Ramen, as well as a toy company called Wünderland War (formerly Monkey Vs. Robot). This label has signed bands such as Fall Out Boy, Punchline, The AKAs, Gym Class Heroes, Panic! At The Disco and Days Away. Roger, meanwhile, is in a second band, called Rehasher, for whom he composes lyrics and plays guitar. JR played sax on the last track of Off Key Melodies. JR works with a promoting company called the CT Mafia, as well as composing solo music. He contributed one track to the Drive-Thru compilation tribute to Bob Dylan, using the band name The Stay At Home Joneses (Roger sang backup for this track).
Roger and Vinnie have an unexplained fetish for Pez candy and they reportedly have sizeable dispenser collections. This love for Pez goes so far as to name one of their albums, Pezcore (parodying of the way in which many bands are described as [something]-core, starting with hardcore) and Pez dispenser motifs are a common feature of their merchandise.
Roger's employment history includes a smoke shop in the band's hometown Gainesville, Florida known as Knuckleheads which has since been transformed into a similar establishment named Smoke. Band member haunts have included Eddie C's, the Hardback (which was transformed into the Lyric), and Insomnia (which used to be the Covered Dish, and is now the new location of Common Grounds).
The members of Less Than Jake also served as backup musicians for Asian Man Records owner Mike Park in the B.Lee Band (once called "the Bruce Lee Band", changed for legal reasons).
The track "Look What Happened" appeared on two of their albums, "Borders & Boundaries" (2000) and "Anthem." (2003) The "Anthem" version is completely re-recorded, and has eschewed the brass at the beginning of the song that was featured in the previous recording. The re-recording features guest vocals from Teen Idols/Bullets To Broadway's Heather.
They have also re-recorded many other songs, including "Johnny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts," "Jen Doesn't Like Me Anymore" and "Shotgun".
They recorded the main theme song "We're all Dudes" for the 1997 film "Goodburger" based on the sketch from the Nikelodeon TV show "All That." The song features Kel Mitchell (main character, Ed, in the movie). The song is based off of the jingle "Ed" would always sing while waiting for the next situation to come up in the Goodburger sketches. At the end of the song Mitchell says "Ah, Ed and Less than Jake, oh, uh... no?"
In 2004, Less Than Jake appeared on the Projekt Revolution Tour, joining such artists as The Used, Snoop Dogg, Korn, and the headlining band: Linkin Park.
Lineups:
Chris DeMakes - vocals and guitar (1992–present)
Roger Lima - vocals and bass (1993–present)
Buddy ''Goldfinger'' Schaub - tenor trombone and backing vocals (1993–present)
Peter ''JR'' Wasilewski - tenor saxophone and backing vocals (2000–present)
Matt Yonker - Drums (2018–present)
Past members:
Jessica Mills - alto saxophone (1993–1998)
Derron Nuhfer - tenor and baritone saxophone (1995–2000)
Pete Anna - tenor and alto trombone (1998–2001)
Vinnie Fiorello - drums (1992–2018)
Website: http://www.lessthanjake.com/
3 Quarts Drunk
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of the parking lot leaning on his car and
Drinking beer and laughing out loud
Before my head starts spinning around,
As I try to find a place to take a stand
But only wind up sitting anyplace I can
With DIDJIT's song stuck in my head
I kinda think I might of said
The lyrics to Less Than Jake's song "3 Quarts Drunk" suggest a story of a night out where the singer is struggling to keep their bearings. The first verse sets the scene with an image of an old man at the end of a parking lot, drinking beer and laughing out loud. The singer is disoriented, trying to find a place to stand, but ultimately ends up sitting anywhere they can. The mention of "DIDJIT's song stuck in my head" adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, suggesting that the character may have some personal issues or emotional baggage that they are struggling with. By the end of the verse, the singer admits that they are "three quarts drunk and...out of time," implying that they've lost control of the situation and the night is rapidly slipping away from them.
The lyrics in the song also suggest a sense of isolation and loneliness. Even though the singer is surrounded by people, they are unable to connect with anyone. The repeated references to being unable to find a place to stand or sitting anywhere they can underscore this feeling of displacement. In addition, the use of the word "kinda" in the line "I kinda think I might have said" suggests a certain level of uncertainty or lack of confidence in the singer's own perception of reality. This feeling of disorientation and confusion is backed up by the music, which is frenetic and dissonant, with fast-paced guitar riffs and punchy horn hits.
Line by Line Meaning
There's an old man at the very end
There's a senior person standing far from everyone else
Of the parking lot leaning on his car and
He's resting on his automobile and
Drinking beer and laughing out loud
Enjoying his ale and breaking into uproarious laughter
Before my head starts spinning around,
Before I experience dizziness
As I try to find a place to take a stand
As I attempt to locate a suitable spot to position myself
But only wind up sitting anyplace I can
However, I only end up sitting anywhere I can find space
With DIDJIT's song stuck in my head
With DIDJIT's tune looping in my mind
I kinda think I might of said
I sort of believe that I might have articulated
Now I'm three quarts drunk and I'm out of time.
Now I am heavily intoxicated and running out of time.
Contributed by Aubrey T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jordan Lewis
Now i have 3 quarts of wine in me and this song is playing again
notyoursavior78
I'm at least three quartz drunk. I love these guys for Friday music at work and just general fun. Gotta finish this Molson Ice before the song ends lol
jenny tehlia
I first heard this song when I was like 6-7 as soon as I heard it again my memory just went back to my childhood self.. it's true what they say about nostalgia
Ricky C
By far one of there best songs!!!
haggis hunter1
yeah, thats so true it all happened before they became shit.
Lightnin' Tones
escuchando esto en el 2021 :3
Gabriel Bastos
wow! great quality. thanks man
threevisionsgodpark
So you're just buzzing then??? I literally drink three quarts of malt liquor every single night of my life just to be able to sleep through the night. I have to drink twice that or more to be as drunk as they are describing in this song. Jesus, talk about some fucking lightweights.... That's some kid shit right there
Ben Emery
Congratulations I guess?
Naltddesha
O kool