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/
Mississippi Mud
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the sun goes down and the tide rolls out
And the people gather 'round and they all begin to shout
"Hey! Hey! Uncle Dud
It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud
It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud"
What a dance do they do
They don't need no band
They keep time by clappin' their hands
Just happy as a cow chewin' on a cud
It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud
It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud
The Less Than Jake's song "Mississippi Mud" reminisces about the joyous tradition of foot-stomping dance that take place in a small town in Mississippi. The song begins with an upbeat tempo as the sun sets, the tide goes out, and people come together for this foot-stomping experience. They shout with excitement as the rhythm picks up, and they call out for Uncle Dud. Uncle Dud could represent a local elder orchestrating the dance or someone who brings an air of joviality to the event. Either way, it is a "treat" to beat one's feet on the Mississippi Mud.
Through the lyrics, Less Than Jake creates a vivid image of the celebratory dance occurring in Mississippi. There is no need for a band, as the audience claps and keeps the tempo with their hands. These individuals are content and satisfied with the simple pleasure of life, while the cow calmly chews on cud. This song is a tribute to the largely unseen, uncelebrated festivities that bring joy and jubilation to a small-town community.
Line by Line Meaning
1-2-3
The song starts with a common counting phrase '1-2-3.'
When the sun goes down and the tide rolls out
As the sun sets and the tide recedes, something interesting is going to happen.
And the people gather 'round and they all begin to shout
People are coming together and getting excited.
"Hey! Hey! Uncle Dud
Someone named Uncle Dud is getting a lot of attention.
It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud
Everyone is enjoying themselves and dancing on the muddy ground.
What a dance do they do
The dance that is happening is impressive and entertaining.
Glory how I'm tellin' you
The singer is expressing how excited they are about what they are seeing.
They don't need no band
The dancers are able to keep the rhythm without the help of a musical group.
They keep time by clappin' their hands
Instead of relying on instruments, they use their own bodies to create the music.
Just happy as a cow chewin' on a cud
The dancers are content and enjoying themselves.
It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud
The song repeats the idea that dancing on the muddy ground is a great experience.
It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud
The song ends with the same line, emphasizing the enjoyable experience of dancing on the muddy ground.
Lyrics © SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: HARRY BARRIS, JAMES CAVANAUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind