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/
Do the Math
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because you only have so many hours
Left to make it count
Subtract the fact
First you have to figure out what life is
Really all about
You can call the standards
Forgetting all your lessons now
I count on one hand
What matters to me most
Only time can
Subtract them I suppose
But I'm trying
Trying not to let it go
Still the numbers drop
It's just not adding up
Do the math
The path you plan to get you by may not be
Not be working out
Subtract the fact
The future that you carry on your shoulders
Adds up ounce by ounce
You can count the minutes and you can avoid the seconds
You can call the standards
Forgetting all your lessons nowwwwww
I count on one hand
What matters to me most
Only time can
Subtract them I suppose
But I'm trying
Trying not to let it go
Still the numbers drop
It's just not adding up
It's just not adding up
I count on one hand
What matters to me most
Only time can
Subtract them I suppose
But I'm trying
Trying not to let it go
Still the numbers drop
It's just not adding up
I count on one hand
What matters to me most
Only time can
Subtract them I suppose
But I'm trying
Trying not to let it go
Still the numbers drop
It's just not adding up
The song "Do The Math" by Less Than Jake is a contemplative piece that urges listeners to evaluate their lives and how they spend their precious time. It highlights the importance of counting the things that matter, subtracting the things that don't and paying attention to what adds up, or what doesn't, as time passes.
The first verse emphasizes the significance of making the most of the limited time that we have to achieve significant accomplishments. The lyrics urge listeners to calculate how they're spending their time and to identify what life is genuinely all about. The second verse asks people to be mindful of what doesn't add up and to consider why the plans they've made might not be working out. The lyrics suggest that while it is important to have goals and plans, it's equally important to be flexible and adaptable to change.
The song's chorus mentions counting on one hand what matters most, with time being the only factor able to subtract from that count. The singer is trying not to let go of what matters to them the most, but out of their control, those numbers are dropping, and it's not adding up. The song's theme is slightly pessimistic, warning that if people don't begin to evaluate their lives and plans, they may fail to measure up to their potential, and things won't add up in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
Do the math
Consider the situation carefully
Because you only have so many hours
Time is limited and valuable
Left to make it count
Make the most of the time you have
Subtract the fact
Eliminate the negative thoughts and attitudes
First you have to figure out what life is
Understand the purpose of your existence
Really all about
The meaning behind your life
You can count the minutes and you can avoid the seconds
Measure time and avoid wasting it
You can call the standards
Set high expectations for yourself
Forgetting all your lessons now
Don't let past mistakes hold you back
I count on one hand
Only a few things are truly important
What matters to me most
Identify your top priorities
Only time can
Changes come with time
Subtract them I suppose
What was once important may no longer be
But I'm trying
Making a conscious effort to improve
Trying not to let it go
Preventing loss of what's valuable
Still the numbers drop
Time is constantly passing
It's just not adding up
Things are not going according to plan
The path you plan to get you by may not be
Your plan may not work out
Not be working out
The plan is not working
The future that you carry on your shoulders
The impact of your decisions
Adds up ounce by ounce
Small changes have a larger impact over time
I count on one hand
Only a few things are truly important
What matters to me most
Identify your top priorities
Only time can
Changes come with time
Subtract them I suppose
What was once important may no longer be
But I'm trying
Making a conscious effort to improve
Trying not to let it go
Preventing loss of what's valuable
Still the numbers drop
Time is constantly passing
It's just not adding up
Things are not going according to plan
I count on one hand
Only a few things are truly important
What matters to me most
Identify your top priorities
Only time can
Changes come with time
Subtract them I suppose
What was once important may no longer be
But I'm trying
Making a conscious effort to improve
Trying not to let it go
Preventing loss of what's valuable
Still the numbers drop
Time is constantly passing
It's just not adding up
Things are not going according to plan
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: CHRISTOPHER D. DEMAKES, LOUIS JAMES SCHAUB, PETER WASILEWSKI, VINNIE FIORELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Samble
For those who say this album is completely auto-tuned....I invite you to see them live....LESS THAN JAKE is a band that ALWAYS delivers.
Ryan S
I've heard Chris get off a bit but that's expected live from time to time. Roger is like a machine though - Seriously his ear is perfect and he hits harmonies and literally never misses. Such a good combo of voices too.
Pvshka
All their albums are "auto-tuned". Hell, ALL albums ever are "auto-tuned" at least to a certain degree. Whoever thinks otherwise doesn't know how music production works. And yes, LTJ is awesome live.
Thomas Clark
Almost 100% of released recordings today are auto-tuned and quantized to the grid to some degree. It's the way it's done by professional level recording studios.
Alex McDonald
@wubanga10154 and @Robert Samble you guys are hot
Robert Samble
+wubanga10154 fak off ;)
maddie day
Saw these guys at warped tour yesterday. Skipped around in a circle pit holding hands with people in the pouring rain during this song. Best part of the day c:
Alex Sunandar
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NickSkate7
Sick, honesty probably my favorite Less Than Jake album!
LeadMe2TheBliss
Have you heard Silver Linings? I bought it recently, it's an amazing album! I wasn't expecting much at first but I was pleasantly surprised!