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/
This Is Going Nowhere
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Downtown wet and feeling cold and kinda feeling old,
I'm walking around and I can almost hear the sound
Of everyone I've known and all the people I've seen get up and go.
And there's nothing left to say when I look at friends and see how they've changed.
I kinda wish that it was years ago.
It's another missed connection,
Maybe it's the wrong one and when it's all said and done,
I don't think anybody knows and it goes to show that I'm lost at the edge of 18,
Keep losing track of what seems to have been 5 minutes ago.
The lyrics of Less Than Jake's "This Is Going Nowhere" portray a sense of nostalgia and uncertainty about the future. The singer is wandering around what used to be the downtown area, feeling cold and old. As they walk, they reflect on the people they've known and how everyone seems to have left. The singer is essentially mourning the loss of the past and the relationships they've had with people who have moved on. It's clear that time has passed, and the singer is struggling to keep up with it. They look at their friends and see how they've changed, wishing things were as they used to be.
The chorus of "This Is Going Nowhere" emphasizes the sense of lost time and missed opportunities. The singer feels like they're stuck in the same place, not moving forward or making any progress. They recognize that their friends are going in different directions, but they're not sure if those directions are the right ones. The uncertainty of the future is further emphasized by the line "I don't think anybody knows." Overall, the song is a reflection on the fleeting nature of time, and the difficulty of keeping pace with the changes that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm walking around what used to be
I am aimlessly wandering around what once was a bustling and lively city center.
Downtown wet and feeling cold and kinda feeling old,
The damp and chilly weather of the desolate downtown area has brought upon sensations of weariness and aging.
I'm walking around and I can almost hear the sound
Of everyone I've known and all the people I've seen get up and go.
As I stroll around, I can't help but imagine the noise of all the people I used to know who have moved away or passed on.
And there's nothing left to say when I look at friends and see how they've changed.
When I observe my associates and witness their transformations, I feel there's nothing productive for me to say.
I kinda wish that it was years ago.
I yearn for the days of the distant past when everything seemed simpler and more pleasant.
It's another missed connection,
Once again, I have failed to properly establish or maintain a significant relationship.
Another friend headed in the right direction?
Is it possible that yet another friend is on the proper path to success and happiness?
Maybe it's the wrong one and when it's all said and done,
I don't think anybody knows
Perhaps it's possible that the direction my friend is taking is incorrect, and in the end, no one knows the right path to travel.
and it goes to show that I'm lost at the edge of 18,
I have reached a point in my life where I feel directionless and unsure, and as an eighteen-year-old, I'm at the precipice of adulthood.
Keep losing track of what seems to have been 5 minutes ago.
Time is slipping through my fingers, and I can't seem to keep ahold of it, losing track of events that occurred just moments ago.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dani Collins
one of my fav songs off this CD
Woden Rock Vigo
I love it :)
drew
the view 2000th