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/
Soundcheck
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something more like inspiration that picks you off the ground,
When you're down
And I, know that music will pull me through.
So it's a soundcheck to an empty room.
The lyrics of Less Than Jake's song "Soundcheck" convey a powerful message about the therapeutic qualities of music. The opening lines speak to the idea that music is more than just a combination of lyrics and sounds; it is a source of inspiration that can lift us up from our lowest points. The singer emphasizes that he knows music will always be there to help him through difficult times. This message is particularly poignant given the context of the song, which describes a soundcheck for an empty room. The fact that the singer is performing to no audience underscores how even when we feel alone, music can still provide us with comfort and purpose.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "it's a soundcheck to an empty room." This line can be interpreted in a few different ways. On one level, it may represent the feeling of rehearsing or performing without any external validation or feedback. The singer is honing his craft for his own sake, rather than in pursuit of attention or acclaim. On another level, the line could suggest that the act of making music itself is enough; it doesn't matter whether anyone is there to witness it. In either case, the idea is that music has an intrinsic value that transcends external validation.
Overall, "Soundcheck" is a powerful testament to the power of music to comfort and inspire us even when we feel alone. The song conveys a sense of hope and resilience, suggesting that we can always turn to music in times of need.
Line by Line Meaning
I always thought of music as more than words and sound,
I've never just seen music as a combination of lyrics and noise, it's always been something greater, like a source of motivation that lifts you up.
Something more like inspiration that picks you off the ground,
Music has such a profound effect on people that it can inspire and motivate them, lifting them up from a low point.
When you're down
During times of sadness or depression, music is a go-to source of comfort and support.
And I, know that music will pull me through.
For me personally, I have no doubt that music will get me through difficult times and help me find my way back up.
So it's a soundcheck to an empty room.
This soundcheck may not have an audience yet, but it's a necessary part of the process, a chance to perfect the music before sharing it with the world.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Silly Face
I have this album cover tattoo on my wrist!! Been a fan for over 2 decades and this is my favourite album ever!!
Norman Morrow
Aw hell yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
alejoman
soundman¡¡¡¡¡ yeah