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/
Yo-Yo Ninja Boy
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fighting the crimes
Weasell, Rock and an Evil Guy
Grandfather, Mandy, Wendel, Chip
Help ninja boy be the best there is
Master Mogana, he'll never win
He's no match for his yo yo spin
There's not a problem he can't fix
And he's just getting started
Yo Yo Ninja Boy
Go go Ninja Boy
Go go Ninja Boy
And he'll fight till the trouble ends
Yomagana have sworn their revenge
He'll save the day so have no fear
'Cause still your Ninja Boy is here
Yo Yo Ninja Boy
Go go Ninja Boy
Go go Ninja Boy
He'll be fighting crime until the end
(Yo Yo Ninja Boy)
With a little help from all his friends
(Go go Ninja Boy)
Yo Yo Ninja Boy
Go go Ninja Boy
The song "Yo-Yo Ninja Boy" by Less Than Jake is an upbeat and catchy tune that tells the story of a ninja boy who fights crime all night, with the help of his friends, against the likes of Weasell, Rock, and Yomagana. The song is full of action and adventure, as the lyrics describe the various characters and their roles in the ninja boy's mission.
The "yo-yo spin" referenced in the song is likely a nod to the real-life practice of yo-yoing, which has been used as a weapon by ninja warriors in Japan. The idea of a ninja boy using a yo-yo as a weapon is both playful and effective, as it allows him to attack his enemies from a distance while remaining nimble and quick on his feet. The lyrics also mention the ninja boy's grandfather, who taught him all his tricks, and his friends Mandy, Wendel, and Chip, who help him along the way.
The chorus of the song, with its repetitive "Yo Yo Ninja Boy, go go Ninja Boy" refrain, is intended to be catchy and fun, encouraging listeners to sing along and get swept up in the action. Overall, the song is a lighthearted tribute to the world of ninja warriors and the many forms of martial arts that have captivated audiences for generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Stayed awake all night
Ninja Boy spent the entire night fighting crimes
Fighting the crimes
Ninja Boy is fighting crimes to save the day
Weasell, Rock and an Evil Guy
These are the criminals that Ninja Boy is fighting against
Grandfather, Mandy, Wendel, Chip
These are the allies who are helping Ninja Boy to become the best
Help ninja boy be the best there is
Ninja Boy wants to be the best at fighting crimes and his allies are helping him achieve that
Master Mogana, he'll never win
Master Mogana is the main villain and Ninja Boy is confident that he will never win against him
He's no match for his yo yo spin
Ninja Boy's weapon of choice is the yo-yo and he is confident that he can defeat Master Mogana using it
Grandfather showed him all his tricks
Ninja Boy's grandfather taught him all the tricks he needs to defeat his enemies
There's not a problem he can't fix
Ninja Boy is so skilled that he can solve any problem that comes his way
And he's just getting started
Ninja Boy is just getting started and he will not stop until he defeats all his enemies
Yo Yo Ninja Boy
This is the title of the song and is used to refer to Ninja Boy
Go go Ninja Boy
This is a chant used to cheer on Ninja Boy
He'll be fighting crime until the end
Ninja Boy will continue fighting crime until it is completely eradicated
(Yo Yo Ninja Boy)
This is a repeated phrase used throughout the song to remind the listener of Ninja Boy's signature weapon
With a little help from all his friends
Ninja Boy's friends are always there to help him fight crime and defeat his enemies
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind