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't Yell Any Louder
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Hey!)
When I look at the person in the mirror
I see the picture and it's clear
an unshaved face that will always remain
standing still I'm running in one place
when I talk to myself about my future coming true
I tell myself
I'm never moving backwards
I don't think I can yell any louder
I don't think I can yell any louder
(Hey!)
When I see a reflection in the mirror
I see a person that's disappeared
a stranger's face that's slowly changed
slightly worn but rearranged
when I talk to myself about my future coming true
I tell myself
tonight is mine, so hold my head up high
I'm never moving backwards
I don't think I can yell any louder
I tell myself
tonight is mine, so hold my head up high
my pride is all that matters
I don't think I can yell any louder
I don't think I can yell any louder
I don't think I can yell any louder
I don't think I can yell any louder
I don't think I can yell any louder
I don't think I can yell any louder
(Hey!)
(Hey!)
(Hey!)
Can't Yell Any Louder by Less Than Jake is a song that delves into one's personal journey of self-improvement and self-acceptance. The song begins with the singer looking at himself in the mirror and seeing a picture that is clear. The unshaved face represents the uncertainty and confusion that comes with figuring out one's identity. He feels like he is standing still while running in one place, signifying the feeling of being stuck and not making any progress.
However, as he talks to himself about his future, he realizes that he can control it. He tells himself that tonight is his night to hold his head up high and not move backwards. He asserts his determination to move forward and never look back. This is a metaphor for the journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. The singer sees himself disappearing in the mirror, showing that he is changing and transforming. Although he is slightly worn, he is rearranging himself to be a better person.
In the second verse, the singer talks about his pride being all that matters. Through his journey, he has learned that he needs to prioritize himself and his own well-being. He concludes the song by saying, "I don't think I can yell any louder," emphasizing his determination and confidence in himself. This song is a powerful anthem for anyone who is struggling to find themselves and wants to move past their insecurities.
Line by Line Meaning
(Hey!)
A vocal expression conveying excitement or attention.
(Hey!)
A repetition of the previous vocal expression to further emphasize excitement or attention.
When I look at the person in the mirror
When I examine my own reflection in a reflective surface.
I see the picture and it's clear
I experience a clear, vivid image of myself.
an unshaved face that will always remain
I see my unshaven face, which will perpetually stay that way.
standing still I'm running in one place
I am not making progress and feel like I'm constantly exerting effort without moving forward.
when I talk to myself about my future coming true
When I have internal conversations about my aspirations becoming a reality.
I tell myself
I psych myself up or reassure myself.
tonight is mine, so hold my head up high
Today or tonight is my time to shine, so I will hold myself with confidence.
I'm never moving backwards
I am determined to move forward and won't allow myself to regress.
I don't think I can yell any louder
I don't believe I can express myself any more emphatically or intensely.
I tell myself
I continue to reassure or psych myself up.
my pride is all that matters
My self-respect and dignity is the most important thing to me.
I don't think I can yell any louder
I reiterate that I have reached my maximum capacity for expressing myself.
I don't think I can yell any louder
I repeat that I have reached my maximum capacity for expressing myself.
I don't think I can yell any louder
I reinforce that I have reached my maximum capacity for expressing myself.
I don't think I can yell any louder
I emphasize that I have reached my maximum capacity for expressing myself.
I don't think I can yell any louder
I conclude that I have reached my maximum capacity for expressing myself.
(Hey!)
A vocal expression that signifies the end of the song or performance.
(Hey!)
A repetition of the previous vocal expression to fully end the song or performance.
Contributed by Bentley B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.