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/
Can
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you keep feeling like you're always out of place.
Don't you think it's strange you always feel the same now?
So you're feeling like you're just a waste of space now.
And you keep feeling like you're always out of place.
Don't you think it's strange you always feel the same now?
Who measure the desperate measures,
There is a space, they just can't touch.
And this pressures on to be good enough.
It's all the words,
That add weight trying to drag you down.
So you're feeling like you're just a powder keg now?
And you keep feeling like you've been a cast away.
Don't you think it's strange that it won't go away now.
So you think you're feeling like you can't be saved now?
And you keep feeling like everyone's taking aim,
Do you feel you're pushed and pulled and forced to change now?
Who measure the desperate measures,
When it gets too much remember.
There is a space, they just can't touch.
And this pressures on to be good enough.
It's all the words,
That add weight trying to drag you down.
So remember you're still bulletproof,
Remember the face stares back at you.
No matter what they say,
No matter what they do.
It can't be taken away from you.
It can't be taken away and that's the truth.
So you're feeling like you're just a waste of space now?
And you keep feeling like everyone's taking aim.
Don't you think it's strange you always feel the same now?
Who measure the desperate measures,
When it gets too much remember.
There is a space, they just can't touch.
And this pressures on to be good enough.
It's all the words,
That add weight trying to drag you down.
It's all the words,
That add weight trying to drag you down.
It's all just words that add weight,
Trying to drag you down.
The lyrics of Less Than Jake's song "Can" express the feeling of being lost and out of place, like a "waste of space". The repetition of this feeling throughout the song emphasizes its persistence and the constant struggle to fit in or be enough. However, the lyrics also remind the listener that there is a space that others can't touch, and that no matter what words or actions others may use to try to bring you down, they can't take away your own inner strength and resilience.
The song's chorus repeats this message with an added emphasis on the negative impact of other people's words, which can add weight and hold you back. The lyrics encourage the listener to remember their own strength and resilience, reminding them that they are "bulletproof" and that their own sense of self can't be taken away.
Throughout the song, the lyrics use powerful metaphors to illustrate these feelings, including the image of a "powder keg" and a "castaway," both of which convey a sense of isolation and danger. The verses also suggest a feeling of being under attack, with the listener being "pushed and pulled and forced to change."
Overall, the lyrics of "Can" explore the difficult emotions of feeling lost and out of place, while also reminding the listener of their own inner strength and resilience. The song encourages the listener to remember that they are not alone, and that no matter what others may say, they can't take away your own sense of self.
Line by Line Meaning
So you're feeling like you're just a waste of space now.
You're experiencing a sense of worthlessness and feeling like you do not belong.
And you keep feeling like you're always out of place.
You feel like you don't fit in and belong anywhere.
Don't you think it's strange you always feel the same now?
You find it unusual that you experience the same emotions repeatedly.
Who measure the desperate measures,
It is unclear who determines the appropriate level of action in desperate situations.
When it gets too much remember.
In moments of intense emotions, take a step back and remember to be mindful.
There is a space, they just can't touch.
There is a safe place for you to retreat to where others cannot disturb you.
And this pressures on to be good enough.
The weight of expectations to meet certain standards or criteria is overwhelming.
It's all the words,
All the negative comments and thoughts that you hold onto.
That add weight trying to drag you down.
They weigh you down and harm your mental and emotional well-being.
So you're feeling like you're just a powder keg now?
You feel like you're on the edge and could explode into anger or sadness at any moment.
And you keep feeling like you've been a cast away.
You feel discarded and left behind by those around you.
Don't you think it's strange that it won't go away now.
You are perplexed as to why these negative feelings persist and do not dissipate over time.
So you think you're feeling like you can't be saved now?
You have convinced yourself that you are beyond help and cannot be rescued from your struggles.
And you keep feeling like everyone's taking aim,
You feel like others are constantly criticizing and attacking you.
Do you feel you're pushed and pulled and forced to change now?
You feel like external forces exert pressure on you to alter your behavior and personality.
So remember you're still bulletproof,
Remind yourself that you are strong and resilient, and can withstand whatever comes your way.
Remember the face stares back at you.
Take a moment to look at yourself in the mirror and remember that you are worthy and deserving of respect and love.
No matter what they say,
Regardless of what others might say or think of you.
No matter what they do.
Regardless of what others might do to you or try to bring you down.
It can't be taken away from you.
Your core self and worthiness cannot be taken away by others.
It can't be taken away and that's the truth.
This is a fact that cannot be disputed or altered by anyone else.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LOUIS JAMES SCHAUB, PETER WASILEWSKI, ROGERIO MANGANELLI, VINNIE FIORELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
davethedude1234
Well I can see my teenage father stand straight on a desolate corner.
At the shadow of tenclawed towers at the red line of America.
I remember how his mother felt, when we heard that Pops was dying.
So tell me: Can you *imagine*, just for 1 second, doing anything that you don't have to do?
Well that's just what we do so Hooray for me!
Streetlight Manifesto - Linoleum. Decent NOFX cover.
Really captured the soul of the original lyrics better, tbh.
Weronika Wrobel
Lyrics :
I've come to my senses
That I've become senseless
I could give you lessons on how to ruin your friendships
Every last conviction, I smoked them all away
I drank my frustrations down the drain, out of the way
So I sit and wait and wonder
Does anyone else feel like me?
Someone so tired of their routines and disappearing self-esteems
I'll sing along
Yeah with every emergency
Just sing along
I'm the king of catastrophes
I'm so far gone
That deep down inside I think it's fine by me
I'm my own worst enemy
I could be an expert on co-dependency
I could write the best book on underage tragedy
I've been spending my time at the local liquor store
I've been sleeping nightly on my best friends kitchen floor
So I sit and wait and wonder
Does anyone else feel like me?
I'm so overdosed on apathy and put down on sympathy
I'll sing along
Yeah with every emergency
Just sing along
I'm the king of catastrophes
I'm so far gone
That deep down inside I think it's fine by me
I'm my own worst enemy
Let the meaning slip away
Lost my faith in another day
Self deprecation seems okay
I never thought I'd make it anyway
I'll sing along
Yeah with every emergency
Just sing along
I'm the king of catastrophes
I'm so far gone
That deep down inside I think it's fine by me
I'm my own worst enemy
That I'm my own worst enemy
I'm my own worst enemy
And I'm my own worst enemy
'Cause I'm my own worst enemy
And I'm my own worst enemy
Vick
I've come to my senses that I've become senseless
I could give you lessons, how to ruin your friendships
And every last conviction, yeah I smoked them all away
I drank my frustrations down the drain, out of the way
And so I sit and wait and wonder
Does anyone else feel like me?
Someone so tired of their routines
And disappearing self-esteems
I'll sing along, yeah with every emergency
Just sing along and I'm the king of catastrophes
I'm so far gone that deep down inside I think it's fine by me
I'm my own worst enemy
I could be an expert on co-dependency
And I could write the best book on underage tragedy
And I've been spending my time at the local liquor store
And I've been sleeping nightly on my best friends kitchen floor
And so I sit and wait and wonder
Does anyone else feel like me?
I'm so over dosed on apathy
And burnt out on sympathy
I'll sing along, yeah with every emergency
Just sing along and I'm the king of catastrophes
I'm so far gone that deep down inside I think it's fine by me
That I'm my own worst enemy
Let the meaning slip away
I lost my faith in another day
Self deprication seems okay
I never thought I'd make it anyway
I'll sing along, yeah with every emergency
Just sing along and I'm the king of catastrophes
I'm so far gone that deep down inside I think it's fine by me
Cause I'm my own worst enemy
That I'm my own worst enemy
'Cause I'm my own worst enemy
And I'm my own worst enemy
'Cause I'm my own worst enemy
And I'm my own worst enemy
'Cause I'm my own worst enemy
Patrick Bateman
With this album, Less Than Jake reached number 45 on the Billboard 200. Narrowly beating them and coming in at number 44, Jake.
Rasen
i definitely did not just sift through old archives to find that this was entirely a joke, number 44 was not anyone named jake, and it was in fact darryl worley with have you forgotten
Patrick Bateman
@Rasen Yeah I was ripping off Norm Macdonald. He made a similar joke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zjr9hh9ZIM
ratholin
43 was Ezra and just above them. OH drat just saw you saw the old SNL thing.
Luci The Sick
LOL I see what you did there... nice
Raul Duke 2nd
Gotta love how upbeat such depressing lyrics can really be.
That's art.
Rory Pritchard
Just wait until you find out about emo.
Chris Willis
Or caramelldansen (probably not spelled right)
Jessica Källberg
@Chris Willis How are the lyrics of Caramelldansen depressing?
Cowboy Dan
Give Reel Big Fish a listen