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/
Throw The Brick
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To a trailer park in Florida from a suburb in Michigan
He left the house headed for someplace downtown
Thinking who needs them, 'cause they brought me down
Out on the streets words burning in his brain
With his pulse pumping just like a freight train,
Wondering what he has to lose
What's to lose anyhow
Throw the brick one more time
Thinking of the problems that I left behind
Throw the brick
The lyrics to "Throw the Brick" by Less Than Jake tell the story of a young man who is feeling angry and alienated after being uprooted from his home and moved to a trailer park in Florida. The singer of the song is feeling frustrated with the people and circumstances that have brought him to this place, and he's looking for a way to break free from his troubles. As he walks through the streets of his new town, he finds himself becoming consumed by rage, and he starts to imagine how satisfying it would be to throw a brick through a window or vandalize someone's property.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Throw the brick one more time, thinking of the problems that I left behind," emphasizing the character's sense of displacement and disconnection from the world around him. He feels like he has nothing to lose by acting out, and he's searching for some kind of release or escape from his current situation. The lyrics are full of vivid images of teenage rebellion and angst, capturing the intense emotions that come with feeling trapped and powerless.
Overall, "Throw the Brick" is a powerful and poignant exploration of the difficulties that many young people face when they find themselves in unfamiliar or challenging circumstances. The song's raw energy and emotional honesty make it a classic example of Less Than Jake's unique style and perspective.
Line by Line Meaning
Two days before his mom moved him
Shortly before moving to a new trailer park in Florida with his mother, the singer felt upset and frustrated.
To a trailer park in Florida from a suburb in Michigan
The singer experienced a significant change in his living situation, moving from a more comfortable suburban environment to a less desirable trailer park.
He left the house headed for someplace downtown
Feeling a sense of displacement and disconnectedness, the singer left his home and began wandering towards the downtown area of his new location.
Thinking who needs them, 'cause they brought me down
The artist is feeling alienated from the people and family members who he feels have caused him pain or disappointment in the past.
Out on the streets words burning in his brain
Walking through the unfamiliar streets, the artist is plagued by troubling thoughts and emotions that are difficult to shake off.
With his pulse pumping just like a freight train
The singer is feeling a strong and intense emotion that affects him physically, causing his heartbeat to race with anticipation and anger.
Wondering what he has to lose
The singer is feeling a sense of despair and hopelessness, questioning whether anything matters or has value at all.
What's to lose anyhow
Continuing to feel nihilistic and disconnected, the artist is starting to feel like he has nothing to lose by taking bold or reckless actions to address his problems.
If he throws this rock will it all be solved now
The artist is considering the possibility that an act of violence or destruction could somehow release him from his problems or provide a sense of temporary catharsis.
Throw the brick one more time
The artist is feeling a sense of deep frustration and anger, wanting to lash out against something or someone in order to express his pain or discontent.
Thinking of the problems that I left behind
The singer is reflecting on the past and the issues that contributed to his current state of dissatisfaction and loneliness.
Throw the brick
The artist is giving into his impulses and desires, acting out in a way that is destructive and potentially harmful to himself or others.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ricky C
One of the most underrated albums EVER!!!
daniel diaz
no puedo creer lo buena de esta banda ojala vinieran a chile son super power
paultardspambot
2 days before his parents moved him to a higher temperature, a trailer park in florida from a suburb in michigan, left the house headed for some place downtown, thinkin' who needs em cause they brought me down. Out on the streets words burning in his brain and his pulse pumping just like a freight train. Wondering what he has to lose and what's to lose anyhow and if he throws this rock will it all be solved now
Baja Malibu Surf Report
one of their best. mucho gusto
Cainedbutable
Throw.the.brick
Carlos Ventura
like
Utube Educated Rockafella
such a weird songw
Liam Sanborn
Throw the brick and leave your problems behind. Simple.