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/
P.S. Shock the World
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
that i've been dying six months a year
arguing with strangers about why i'm still here.(woah ohh)
no one lets me forget
questions about my relevance
and i'm starting to believe their arguments
in my self-defense
and always wasting all my breath
and it's still a mystery
why i'm doubting all my dreams
all the things that i say
will someday fade away
but the message in these songs
has kept me sane all along. [x2]
(sane all along)
the years hit like fist to face
and some days i've tried to replace
this person with the same god-given name. (woah ohh)
some days i shake till noon
i've tried to explain to overcrowded rooms
across these states my narrow point of view.
but what can i do?
it's just my self-destructiveness
and always wasting all my breath
and it's still a mystery
why i'm doubting all my dreams
all the things that i say
will someday fade away
but the message in these songs
has kept me sane all along [x2]
it's just my self-destructiveness
and always wasting all my breath
and it's still a mystery
why i'm doubting all my dreams
all the things that i say
will someday fade away
but the message in these songs
has kept me sane all along [x2]
(sane all along)
Sane all along.. (15 x ong.)
The lyrics to Less Than Jake's song "P.S. Shock the World" explore themes of self-doubt, insecurity, and the struggle to maintain relevance in the face of criticism. The opening lines establish a sense of desperation, as the singer reveals that they have been "dying six months a year" and facing criticism from strangers about their relevance. While trying to defend themselves and their vision to others, the singer starts to question their own arguments and motivations.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the power of music to keep the singer feeling sane and anchored while they grapple with these feelings. The message in the songs they create provides a sense of stability and purpose in the midst of an uncertain and tumultuous time. The second verse introduces the idea of trying to reinvent oneself and start over, suggesting that this too can be a difficult and nerve-wracking process. Ultimately, the song seems to close on a hopeful note, with the repeated refrain of "sane all along" suggesting that despite everything, the singer has held onto some sense of stability and sanity throughout their struggles.
Overall, "P.S. Shock the World" is a powerful exploration of the emotional challenges that come with trying to create and maintain a musical career. It touches on universal themes of self-doubt and the desire to be relevant, making it a resonant track for anyone who has grappled with similar challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
It's never been so crystal clear
I have come to the realization that I am constantly struggling with my own existence.
that i've been dying six months a year
I feel like I'm only living half a life, as if I'm dying for half of every year.
arguing with strangers about why i'm still here.(woah ohh)
I find myself constantly defending why I'm worth being here despite not being sure myself.
no one lets me forget
People around me constantly remind me of my supposed lack of relevance.
questions about my relevance
I am constantly being interrogated about the importance of my existence.
and i'm starting to believe their arguments
I've begun to internalize and believe what others have been accusing me of.
in my self-defense
I try to defend myself, but it feels like I'm fighting a losing battle because I'm beginning to believe their words.
it's just my self-destructiveness
I recognize that I am often the cause of my own downfall.
and always wasting all my breath
I am constantly speaking and trying to make a point, but it feels like no one is truly listening to me.
and it's still a mystery
Even after all this time, I still can't fully comprehend my own doubts and insecurities.
why i'm doubting all my dreams
I constantly second-guess myself and my own aspirations.
all the things that i say
The words that I speak and the ideas that I share will eventually be forgotten.
will someday fade away
My contributions will eventually be lost and forgotten in time.
but the message in these songs
However, the meaning behind my music has kept me grounded and sane throughout my struggles.
has kept me sane all along. [x2]
The importance of my music to me is immeasurable and has helped me stay afloat all these years.
the years hit like fist to face
The passing years feel like a physical blow to my already strained emotional state.
and some days i've tried to replace
There are days when I try to fill the void inside me with distractions and other people.
this person with the same god-given name. (woah ohh)
Despite everything, I am still the same person with the same name and the same doubts and insecurities.
some days i shake till noon
There are days when I feel scared and uncertain for no apparent reason.
i've tried to explain to overcrowded rooms
I attempt to convey my feelings and thoughts to crowds of people who may or may not fully understand or care.
across these states my narrow point of view.
I share my perspective, which may not apply to everyone across different states and backgrounds.
but what can i do?
Despite everything, I still share my thoughts and feelings because it's all I can do to stay afloat.
Sane all along.. (15 x ong.)
The chorus emphasizes that despite everything, his music has kept him grounded and sane all along.
Contributed by Samantha N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.