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/
Last Train
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
a doo ron ron ron, a doo ron ron
somebody told me that her name was Jill
a doo ron ron ron, a doo ron ron
yeah my oh my, yeah all the time
when I walked her home
a doo ron ron ron, a doo ron ron)
it's got me down as the trains pass by
all these people crowding my sight
I wonder if my head was ever screwed on tight
concrete buildings are all that I see
I used to never let it bother me
I used to never let it bother me
last train, remember me
Walking past the cracks on 2nd street, watching
lights and sounds the city doesn't sleep, and I say
get this fucking city out of my brain, so I
guess I'll have to wait for the last train
remember me
Yeah, concrete buildings are all that I see
I used to never let it bother me
I used to never let it bother me
last train, remember me
Walking past the cracks on 2nd street, watching
lights and sounds the city doesn't sleep, and I say
get this fucking city out of my brain, so I
guess I'll have to wait for the last train
remember me
Remember me
Last train, remember me
(x3)
Remember me
You gotta remember me
You gotta remember (x9)
me, me, me, me, me
The lyrics to Less Than Jake's song "Last Train" describe a person living in a city and feeling overwhelmed and suffocated by it. The song opens with the singer describing meeting someone they're interested in, but it's quickly apparent that this is just a fleeting moment of happiness in an otherwise difficult existence. The city is described in negative terms - all they can see is concrete buildings and crowds of people. The reference to "the last train" suggests that the singer is desperate to leave the city and escape the feelings of claustrophobia it's giving them.
The chorus of the song is a plea to be remembered, to not be forgotten by the person they met in the morning or by anyone else. In this context, it seems like the singer is worried that they'll be swallowed up by the bleakness of the city and that nobody will remember them once they're gone. The repetition of "remember me" and "you gotta remember me" emphasizes this fear.
Overall, "Last Train" is a poignant and relatable song about feeling lost in a big city and wanting to escape. It speaks to a universal human desire for connection and recognition, and offers a glimpse into the loneliness and longing that can come with city living.
Line by Line Meaning
I met her in the morning, and my heart stood still
I fell in love with a girl named Jill at first sight.
somebody told me that her name was Jill
I was informed of the name of the girl I fell in love with.
yeah my oh my, yeah all the time
I can't stop thinking about her.
when I walked her home
I accompanied her on her way back.
It's got me on the run, it's got my brain tied
The city life has me feeling trapped and overwhelmed.
it's got me down as the trains pass by
Seeing the trains pass by reminds me of my trapped state.
all these people crowding my sight
The abundance of people in the city adds on to my stress.
I wonder if my head was ever screwed on tight
I question my mental well-being due to the stress of the city.
concrete buildings are all that I see
The cityscape consists of only concrete structures.
I used to never let it bother me
I was once not affected by the stress of the city.
last train, remember me
If I leave the city by the last train, remember me.
Walking past the cracks on 2nd street, watching
As I walk down 2nd street, I observe the imperfections in the pavement.
lights and sounds the city doesn't sleep, and I say
I notice the constant noise and flashing lights of the city.
get this fucking city out of my brain, so I
I want to escape the city and its effects on my mind, so I
guess I'll have to wait for the last train
I'll have to leave the city on the last train.
remember me
Don't forget about me.
Last train, remember me
Once again, if I leave on the last train, remember me.
You gotta remember me
I want to be remembered.
You gotta remember (x9)
I really, really want to be remembered.
me, me, me, me, me
It's all about me.
Contributed by Ava V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Oblate Spheroid
Last Train - Less Than Jake
"Lyrics"
(I met her in the morning, and my heart stood still
Da doo ron ron ron, Da doo ron ron
somebody told me that her name was Jill
Da doo ron ron ron, Da doo ron ron
yeah my oh my, yeah all the time
Yeah when I walked her home
Da doo ron ron ron, Da doo ron ron) x2
It's got me on the run, it's got my brain tied
it's got me down as the trains pass by
all these people crowding my sight
I wonder if my head was ever screwed on tight yeah
concrete buildings are all that I see
I used to never let it bother me no
I used to never let it bother me
last train, remember me yeah
[Chorus:]
Walking past the cracks on 2nd street, there watching
lights and sounds the city doesn't sleep, and I say
get this fucking city out of my brain, so I
guess I'll have to wait for the last train
remember me
Yeah, concrete buildings are all that I see
I'll never let it bother me
I used to never let it bother me
last train, remember me yeah
[Chorus]
Remember me
Last train, remember me
[x3]
Remember me
You gotta remember me
You gotta remember [x9]
me, me, me, me
Me
"Last Train"
[First Paragraph - Lyrics by The Cyrstals]
Sam Knight
I always wondered why this was never included on any of the singles compilations.
Mark Martin
Old school LTJ is the best.
Erik Helin
I prefer the BDay Cake version better. The horns are much cleaner and it doesn't sound like it's off of an old audio tape. But Last Train is one of my fav. LTJ Songs.
Oblate Spheroid
Idk, I like this old style better!
Drumming Moose
Erik Helin Last Train is one of the best songs they've written
LessThanJakeVideo
Actually It Was On A Split Record from 1993 with spoke and bombshell that's This Version But The To Celebrate 50 Releses They Put Out A Live Version On The 7" Version Birthday Cake Thats Shorter And Does Not Have Half The Song
SukiYuki
I remember you
MeneerGrimshaw
what happened? why no recent activity?