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/
Liquor Store
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If he's not talking to himself
Then he must be praying
Shine my shoes and ask for a dime
Then pick my pockets while I'm in line
He keeps telling me the score
Down at the liquor store
The lyrics of "Liquor Store" by Less Than Jake tell a story of a man who is down on his luck and struggling to make ends meet. The singer warns us to be wary of this man, who is either muttering to himself or praying, and is constantly scheming to get money from others. He might appear polite by offering to shine our shoes and asking for a dime, but while we are distracted, he will pick our pockets. This man frequents the liquor store and apparently has some insider knowledge on what's going on there. The singer says he "keeps telling me the score," suggesting that this man has some kind of connection or information that he's trying to pass on.
The song paints a vivid picture of poverty and desperation, and the way it can lead people to resort to unsavory tactics. The liquor store becomes a symbol for the struggles and vices of those living in poverty. This man may be stealing and lying, but we are left to wonder what led him to this point and what could be done to help him.
Overall, "Liquor Store" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of poverty and the importance of empathy and understanding for those who are struggling.
Line by Line Meaning
Now listen up and hear what I'm saying
Pay attention to what I'm about to say
If he's not talking to himself
Referring to a person who seems crazy and talks to themselves
Then he must be praying
Implying the person is either mentally ill or asking for money
Shine my shoes and ask for a dime
The person may try to do odd jobs or beg for money
Then pick my pockets while I'm in line
The person may also be a thief or trying to scam unsuspecting individuals
He keeps telling me the score
The person shares information about drug deals, robberies or other illegal activities happening around the liquor store
Down at the liquor store
The location for all of the above activities
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind