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/
Nine-One-One to Anyone
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
with ever single thing
and all my thoughts in between
i wonder if anyone is just like me
a walking talking catastrophe
another story of dependency
i neve thought the face in the mirror would be me
I'm in a state of emergancy
like a shot, a shot without a chaser
life's in a flash it moves way to fast
the most bitter pill you've ever tasted
i wonder if anyone is just like me
a walking talking catastrophe
another story of dependency
i neve thought the face in the mirror would be me
I'm afraid of growing up and growing old
afriad of the past and present
and what my future might hold
hey 911 to everyone [x3]
I'm in a state of emergancy
hey 911 to everyone [x3]
I'm in a state of emergancy
The opening line of Less Than Jake's "Nine-One-One to Anyone" sets the tone for the rest of the song: "So I will, I'll be the one who's coming clean." The lyrics focus on the singer's feelings of isolation and self-doubt. They speculate if others are struggling with the same issues and if anyone is like them. The singer describes themselves as a "walking talking catastrophe," which speaks to their feelings of inadequacy and instability. They also address their fear of growing up and growing old and their apprehension about the future.
The repetition of the chorus, "hey 911 to everyone, I'm in a state of emergency," adds a sense of urgency and desperation to the song. The singer is calling out for help, but it's unclear who they're calling out to. It could be a literal cry for help, or it could be more figurative, like a plea to be understood or to find someone who feels the same way they do.
Overall, "Nine-One-One to Anyone" is a contemplative and introspective song about the struggles of self-doubt and fear of the future. The singer's vulnerability is palpable, and the song is relatable to anyone who has experienced similar emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
so i will, i'll be the one who's coming clean
I've decided to be honest and truthful about everything in my life.
with ever single thing
I will reveal every detail, no matter how small or insignificant.
and all my thoughts in between
I will also share my innermost thoughts and feelings.
i wonder if anyone is just like me
I question if there are others like me, struggling and feeling lost.
a walking talking catastrophe
I feel like a failure, unable to get my life together.
another story of dependency
My life is a never-ending cycle of addiction and reliance on others.
i neve thought the face in the mirror would be me
I never expected to become the person I see in the mirror.
hey 911 to everyone [x3]
I am reaching out for help from anyone who will listen.
I'm in a state of emergancy
I am in a desperate situation and need assistance urgently.
like a shot, a shot without a chaser
Life is moving too quickly; I can't keep up with it.
life's in a flash it moves way to fast
I feel like I'm barely holding on and can't keep up with the pace of life.
the most bitter pill you've ever tasted
Life is harsh and difficult to swallow.
I'm afraid of growing up and growing old
I am fearful of the passage of time and what the future may hold.
afraid of the past and present
I am haunted by my past and struggling with my current circumstances.
and what my future might hold
I am anxious about what is still to come.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind