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/
Overrated
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always lookin' for more
Waiting around for the next big fix
I know
I'm a wreck I'm a mess
But I couldn't care less
Don't know what it would take to change me
Please excuse me now if I don't get it
I think sex is overrated
So is always getting wasted
Designer drugs and dead end jobs and
Classic rock is so outdated
I'm so sick of therapy and all the things it's done to me
How can I be satisfied when everything is overrated?
Maybe the problem is me
But I won't make believe
And I can't take this mediocrity
What if this is a test and I deserve what I get
Will I wake up with all the answers?
Every body is too afraid to be different
Please excuse me now if I don't listen
I think sex is overrated
So is always getting wasted
Designer drugs and dead-end jobs and
Classic rock is so outdated
I'm so sick of therapy and all the things it's done to me
How can I be satisfied when everything is overrated?
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
When everything is overrated
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
When everything is overrated
Can't stand the normal
Can't stand the ordinary
Find me anything
That's extraordinary
Show me something
Show me anything
Am I the only one?
Am I the only one?
I think sex is overrated
So is always getting wasted
All my friends and family
They make my life so complicated
I'm so sick of apathy and TV show reality
How can I be satisfied when everything is overrated?
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
When everything is overrated
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
Wo-oh
When everything is overrated
In "Overrated," by Less Than Jake, the singer expresses a sense of jadedness and boredom. He acknowledges that there is always the desire to seek something more significant than what we have at the moment but feels trapped in a cycle of unfulfillment. He admits to being a wreck and a mess but ultimately does not care about changing. Additionally, he critiques society's conformity and the fear of being different. He believes that almost everything is overrated, including sex, getting wasted, designer drugs, dead-end jobs, classic rock, and even therapy. The singer acknowledges that perhaps, the problem is him, but he cannot fake it and live in mediocrity. He poses the question, "what if this is a test, and I deserve what I get,” questioning his purpose, and whether he deserves the dissatisfaction if this is his destiny.
People's interpretation of the lyrics will vary depending on their experiences and understanding. However, generally, the song seems to critique society's norms, the fear of being different, and the cycle of unfulfillment. It encourages listeners to seek something extraordinary and live beyond mediocrity. It highlights the struggle associated with finding meaning or significance in life, and the fear of never finding it. The song is relatable and resonates with individuals who battle with depression, anxiety and the lack of fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe I'm jaded and bored
I am dissatisfied with my life right now.
Always lookin' for more
I crave excitement and novelty.
Waiting around for the next big fix
I'm always waiting for the next thrilling experience.
I know
I recognize.
I'm a wreck I'm a mess
I am an emotional disaster.
But I couldn't care less
I do not care about my problems.
Don't know what it would take to change me
I am unaware of what could improve my situation.
Every body is so afraid to be different
People are too scared to be unique.
Please excuse me now if I don't get it
I cannot understand or relate to others' behavior.
I think sex is overrated
I don't believe sex is as great as people make it out to be.
So is always getting wasted
I don't think drinking alcohol is worth it.
Designer drugs and dead end jobs and
Taking drugs and having a job that feels pointless are not worthwhile experiences.
Classic rock is so outdated
I don't like classic rock music because it's no longer relevant.
I'm so sick of therapy and all the things it's done to me
I dislike therapy and its negative effects on me.
How can I be satisfied when everything is overrated?
I cannot feel content when I find most things to be disappointing.
Maybe the problem is me
Perhaps I am the reason why I am dissatisfied.
But I won't make believe
I refuse to pretend that things are okay even if they're not.
And I can't take this mediocrity
I am frustrated with being average and unexceptional.
What if this is a test and I deserve what I get
I am questioning whether my current situation is a result of my own actions and decisions.
Will I wake up with all the answers?
I am wondering if I will suddenly understand why things are the way they are.
Can't stand the normal
I dislike conformity and routine.
Can't stand the ordinary
I dislike commonplace and uneventful experiences.
Find me anything
I am searching for something new and exciting.
That's extraordinary
I want something completely unique.
Show me something
I want to see something impressive.
Show me anything
I am open to any extraordinary experience.
Am I the only one?
I am wondering if others share my dissatisfaction.
All my friends and family
The people closest to me.
They make my life so complicated
Their issues and problems add complexity to my life.
I'm so sick of apathy and TV show reality
I am fed up with people's indifference and unrealistic expectations portrayed on TV shows.
How can I be satisfied when everything is overrated?
I cannot be happy when I find most things to be underwhelming or disappointing.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER D DEMAKES, VINCENT PHILLIP FIORELLO, HOLLY KNIGHT, ROGERIO LIMA MANGANELLI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SkaMasta097
Things that are overrated (according to Less Than Jake):
sex
getting wasted
designer drugs
dead-end jobs
classic rock
therapy
everything
0:19 dudes in pink T-shirts
0:20 eyeliner
0:21 Myspace
0:24 job security
0:25 the corner office
0:27 Less Than Jake
0:30 makeup metal bands
0:32 greed
0:54 Republicans, credit cards
0:55 Viagra
0:56 consumers
1:04 horns
1:05 Starbucks
1:08 underage girls
1:11 mall security
1:13 Rent-A-Cops, Viagra (again)
1:53 bail
1:56 getting arrested
2:01 jail
2:03 makeup metal bands (again)
2:07 dudes in pink T-shirts (again)
2:09 quality porn
2:10 orgasms
2:17 sex (again)
2:25 waiting in line
2:30 dude swinging around a stripper pole (implied)
2:33 pearl necklaces
2:30 breast implants
2:45 white people dancing
2:46 masturbation
2:52 cocaine
2:53 fake smoke
2:59 rock stars
3:02 music videos
3:03 you
3:06 Walk of Fame
3:12 Hollywood
3:16 lead singers
3:17 Tom Cruise
3:20 music videos (again)
3:29 Southern California, Los Angeles
3:31 you (again), globes (implied)
@terrymorgan5304
Ironically, this song is underrated.
@UltimateRaven41
So true!
@andrewciervo6631
Agreed. I'd say most of their songs are "underrated" considering they, along with The Suicide Machines, are the best ska-punk band still around.
@daveg7516
Still think there great 👍🙂
@leadme2thebliss21
LTJ is underrated.
@DutchChattahoochee
no, it's an average song. it's properly rated.
@IBangedAPalin
This album is severely UNDERRATED.
@rusting_away767
Less Than Jake... why you gotta be so underrated... LONG LIVE SKA! AND PUNK ROCK!
@KosMik_Skul
But this song has no ska. N barely any punk. Its more heavy on the pop with the tiniest bit of punk.
@yapunk3188
I'm from Gainesville so it never seemed like it was an underrated band until I moved away