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/
Landmines And Landslides
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you'd somehow just believe me
You've gotta know right now that these words still sting
I've lost everything, I've ever touched
The results were eating me up
For once I've had enough
Landmines, landslides every single time
I fell asleep while watching TV
While the living dead they walk my streets this evening
This sitting target's been stuck on the couch again
Pretending I'm stable as the panic sets in
The results were eating me up
For once I've had enough
Landmines, landslides, no matter how I try
You're destined for disaster, you're failure by design
Landmines, landslides, every single time
I'm destined for disaster, I'm trapped on every side
You know how hard I try sometimes, you can see it in my eyes
It's always eating me alive the day to day of getting by
Self-control from all the helplessness I've known
I'm a wreck, whoa, lacking confidence there's no arguments you know
Landmines, landslides, no matter how I try
You're destined for disaster, you're failure by design
Landmines, landslides every single time
I'm destined for disaster, I'm trapped on every side
Whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa
Landmines, landslides every single time
I'm destined for disaster, I'm trapped on every side
The lyrics of Less Than Jake's song "Landmines and Landslides" depict a feeling of being stuck, of being trapped, of failing despite trying hard. The opening lines express the desperation and confusion that the singer is feeling, as he wonders why their partner won't answer them, stating that they would never leave them. Despite this, the singer still feels hurt and unheard. The next verse brings forth imagery of being stuck and helpless, watching TV while the world outside seems apocalyptic with the "living dead" walking the streets. The singer paints a picture of feeling like a "sitting target" stuck on the couch, pretending to be stable while the panic sets in.
The chorus repeats the lines "Landmines, landslides, no matter how I try" and "I'm destined for disaster, I'm trapped on every side". This repetition highlights the feeling of failure and doom that the singer is grappling with. This feeling is especially encapsulated in the lines, "You're destined for disaster, you're failure by design" which could possibly be in reference to a mental health condition. The desperation of the singer is palpable in the lines "You know how hard I try sometimes, you can see it in my eyes", expressing how much effort he puts into trying to get by day-to-day.
Overall, "Landmines and Landslides" has a melancholy and reflective tone that speaks to feelings of defeat and helplessness despite trying hard.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear, you won't answer me, did you honestly think I'd ever leave?
I won't abandon you if you trust me, but you won't let me in.
If you'd somehow just believe me
If you had faith in me, we would be stronger together.
You've gotta know right now that these words still sting
Your actions have hurt me deeply and the pain remains.
I've lost everything, I've ever touched
Past endeavors have resulted in failure and disappointment.
The results were eating me up
The consequences of my actions were mentally and emotionally draining.
For once I've had enough
I've reached my breaking point and can't continue like this.
Landmines, landslides no matter how I try
Obstacles and challenges constantly arise, no matter how hard I work.
You're destined for disaster, you're failure by design
Your destiny is to fail due to inherent traits and behaviors.
I fell asleep while watching TV
I'm so exhausted and unmotivated that I can barely stay awake.
While the living dead they walk my streets this evening
I feel disconnected and surrounded by people who lack ambition or passion.
This sitting target's been stuck on the couch again
I feel like a sitting duck, unable to take action and move forward.
Pretending I'm stable as the panic sets in
I don't want to acknowledge my mounting anxiety and stress, so I pretend everything is okay.
I'm destined for disaster, I'm trapped on every side
I feel like I'm predestined to fail and can't escape the difficulties surrounding me.
You know how hard I try sometimes, you can see it in my eyes
You can see my struggle and effort to overcome challenges in my eyes.
It's always eating me alive the day to day of getting by
The mundane tasks of daily life are slowly consuming me and draining my energy.
Self-control from all the helplessness I've known
I'm trying to maintain a semblance of self-control despite feeling helpless and stuck.
I'm a wreck, whoa, lacking confidence there's no arguments you know
I'm emotionally unstable and lack confidence, it's obvious to those around me.
Whoa, whoa
Exclaimation of frustration and despair.
Landmines, landslides every single time
No matter what I do, I always face obstacles and difficulties.
I'm destined for disaster, I'm trapped on every side
It feels like there's no way to escape my problems and I'm predestined to fail.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER DEMAKES, PETER JOHN WASILEWSKI, ROGERIO LIMA MANGANELLI, VINCENT PHILLIP FIORELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pezcore91
Probably my favorite song off In With The Out Crowd. The whole album got me through the two hardest years of my life.
Noe BENSOUBAYA
really just this whole record featured a lot of horn-less songs. A lot of
people weren't into that, myself included. I liked a lot of tunes off
IWTOC, but I got into Less Than Jake because I was really bored of pop-punk
and their inclusion of the ska element really gave me something new to
enjoy. So this record really was a step back in my opinion and I didn't
enjoy it much. Everyone needs to stop complaining about people who aren't
into this. You like what you like, and dislike what you don't. #1eaSBHD2ssA
danny chane | ramenxgoth
Pezcore91 Same here, over and over again. Even If it's not a typical LTJ record, it's my favorite because of the lyrics.
Eat Your Chips
I don't get why this album gets so much abuse off of fans. Obviously there's a departure in sound but the songs are still awesome and the lyrics are as good as ever. And there's still quite a few tracks with horns, so it's enough to please every LTJ fan. I wish they'd play this song live.
danny chane | ramenxgoth
Even though it was so unsual for LTJ, it is still one my favorite albums!
The Light in the Dark
i never said they were a failure. they're one of my favorite bands actually... i think their music has a unique energy to it that i simply love. they're an excellent band in my eyes.
Thaze
LTJ have just not emphasised as much on the brass side of Ska anymore. I prefer there earlier stuff but i still love all there music. Saw them live the day before the release of "Borders and Boundries" in the uk and was the best Gig i have ever been to. Such an atmosphere and enerjy into there music and performance. Love these guys!
Craig Haerr
Such a great album
Pvshka
Yup
Gitarrensaite
just an amazing band