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/
Pete JAckeson is Getting Married
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
His mom and dad so proud of his son and his new found wife
And I wonder if after all these years
Will his dad still give him a pep talk for his wedding night?
I can smell his cousin's polo mixing with his grandpa's old spice and the
Swedish meatballs look so tempting that his two fat aunts might even fight
And his uncles have all gone drinkin'
Highballs and hamms light in the parking lot
While the rest of his relatives are busy just tearing up the Manville Elks Lodge
I can smell his cousin's polo mixing with his Grandpa's old spice and the mashed
Potatoes look so tasty that his two fat aunts might even fight
On that day what else could I say?
I'd say here's to you staying drunk
Here's to all your good luck
You're gonna need it
The song "Pete Jackson Is Getting Married" by Less Than Jake depicts the thoughts of a guest attending Pete Jackson's wedding. The singer imagines the scene, describing the proud parents of the bridegroom and the guests who begin drinking and tearing up the hall. The song implies that Jackson's wedding is an event that not only celebrates union but seems to mask the fact that marriage is not so easy. For example, the singer questions if Jackson's father will still give him a pep talk for his wedding night, showing how uncomfortable and unnerving conversations about marriage can be.
The lyrics imply that the guests are happy for Pete Jackson but secretly, they are glad it's not them getting married. Hence, the line, "Here's to you staying drunk, here's to all your good luck, you're gonna need it." The song is a reflection of real life, where friends and family may attend a wedding and drink to celebrate the newlyweds' happiness, but privately, they harbor their own views on marriage.
" Pete Jackson Is Getting Married" is a humorous song that uses sarcasm to poke fun at weddings and marriage. The song showcases the band's unique style, combining punk rock with ska influences that make the song catchy and fun to listen to. The song was released in 1996 as a part of the album "Losing Streak." Less Than Jake has been performing the song in their live shows for years, and it remains a fan favorite.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see it all right now
I can clearly imagine how the wedding is going to be.
His mom and dad so proud of his son and his new found wife
His parents will be happy to see their son getting married to the love of his life.
And I wonder if after all these years
Will his dad still give him a pep talk for his wedding night?
I am wondering if his father will still give him the traditional advice for his wedding night.
I can smell his cousin's polo mixing with his grandpa's old spice and the
Swedish meatballs look so tempting that his two fat aunts might even fight
I can smell his cousin's cologne mix with his grandpa's aftershave while the delicious smelling Swedish meatballs tempt his two overweight aunts to even fight over them.
And his uncles have all gone drinkin'
Highballs and hamms light in the parking lot
All his uncles have gone to drink outside in the parking lot.
While the rest of his relatives are busy just tearing up the Manville Elks Lodge
The other relatives are having a fun time as they're dancing or drinking a lot inside the Manville Elks Lodge.
On that day what else could I say?
I'd say here's to you staying drunk
Here's to all your good luck
You're gonna need it
On his wedding day, I would wish him to stay drunk and hope he has good luck since he might need it for his married life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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