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/
Mixology of Tom Collins
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That who I've become
Is not the same person that I used to be
A friend of mine he pointed out to me
That I'm not the same as I used to be
And y'know he made me think twice about who I am
And now I think of how I lived my life
What would I change?
What would I want to stay the same?
And I've decided that I won't decide
So I 'll sit on the curb watching the cars roll by
Who the hell needs self doubt
When it's always the same shit that goes around town.
The lyrics of "Mixology of Tom Collins" by Less Than Jake is a poignant reflection on the idea of self-discovery and self-reflection. The song begins with the singer reflecting on how a friend pointed out that they have changed as a person. This realization causes the singer to question who they are and how they have lived their life. The singer then goes on to sit on the corner under the street light and ponder over what they would change and what they would want to stay the same. The singer ultimately decides not to make any decisions and just watch the world go by.
The song sheds light on a common existential crisis that people face where they are forced to analyze their decisions, life choices, and assess whether the person they have become is the one they want to be. The line "Who the hell needs self-doubt when it's always the same shit that goes around town," highlights how people tend to get stuck in the same routine and how it can become difficult to make a change in life.
Overall, the song "Mixology of Tom Collins" encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives and decisions while reminding them that it's okay not to have it all figured out.
Line by Line Meaning
A friend of mine he pointed out to me
Someone I know made me realize
That who I've become
The person I am now
Is not the same person that I used to be
Is different from who I was before
A friend of mine he pointed out to me
Someone I know made me realize
That I'm not the same as I used to be
I have changed
And y'know he made me think twice about who I am
He caused me to reflect on my identity
And now I think of how I lived my life
And now I consider my past actions
Sitting on the corner under the street light
I am sitting on a street corner
What would I change?
What would I do differently?
What would I want to stay the same?
What would I keep the same?
And I've decided that I won't decide
I have decided to not make a decision
So I'll sit on the curb watching the cars roll by
So I'll continue to sit and observe the passing traffic
Who the hell needs self doubt
Why would anyone want to doubt themselves?
When it's always the same shit that goes around town.
Especially since nothing seems to change around here.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@deftoast
I'd go insane if they played this live. I love this song.
@MrGuyGlover
i was at a soundcheck once and made them play this song & losing streak, they called me a ball buster, but hey, one of the best times of my life
@TolietWater
I wish this was on the actual album, it could’ve been the “Short On Ideas/One Last Cigarette” of the album especially with how simple yet profound it actually is
@drew29164
A friend of mine he pointed out to me
that who I've become
is not the same person that I used to be
A friend of mine he pointed out to me
That I'm not the same as I used to be
And y'know he made me think twice about who I am
And now I think of how I lived my life
Sitting on the corner under the street light
What would I change?
What would I want to stay the same?
And I've decided that I won't decide
So I 'll sit on the curb watching the cars roll by
who the hell needs self doubt
When it's always the same shit that goes around town
@skaonline
bellissima
@juxier
tom collins is tasty drink
@DientesPadres
ufff =)
@it277
So should Losing Streak
@slappyphil
@deftoast they have, a few times