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/
You're the One That I Want
Less Than Jake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're multiplying
And I'm losing control
'Cause the power you're supplying
It's electrifying!
You better shape up
'Cause I need a man
You better shape up
You better understand
To my heart I must be true
Nothing left
Nothing left for me to do
You're the one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, honey
The one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, honey
The one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, the one I need
Oh, yes indeed
If you're filled
With affection
You're to shy to convey
Better take my direction
Feel your way
I better shape up
'Cause you need a man
I need a man
Who can keep me satisfied
I better shape up
If I'm gonna prove
You better prove
That my faith is justified
Are you sure
Yes I'm sure down deep inside
You're the one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, honey
The one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, honey
The one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, the one I need
Oh, yes indeed
Less Than Jake’s song You’re the One That I Want is a catchy cover of the famous song from the 1978 movie musical Grease. The song is a love duet where Sandy (Olivia Newton-John's character) and Danny (John Travolta's character) confess their feelings for each other. In this cover version, Less Than Jake incorporated their ska-punk energy with the classic lyrics of the song, making it a fun and upbeat version of the original.
The song starts with the lyrics “I got chills, they're multiplying, and I'm losing control,” which perfectly captures the feeling of being head over heels in love. The next lines “'Cause the power you're supplying, it's electrifying” is a brilliant metaphor for the excitement and passion that love can bring into one's life. The chorus of the song has an infectious melody that is difficult not to sing along with: “You're the one that I want, oo-oo-oo, honey, the one that I want, oo-oo-oo, honey.”
The song's dynamic repeats in the second verse when Danny acknowledges his feelings towards Sandy, and they both sing in unison “I better shape up, 'cause you need a man, I need a man who can keep me satisfied.” This repetition emphasizes the theme of the song, which is the importance of honesty and being faithful to one another. In summary, Less Than Jake’s version of You’re the One That I Want is a jubilant cover of the original song that infuses the band’s unique sound into a classic love duet.
Line by Line Meaning
I got chills
I am feeling overwhelmed with emotions
They're multiplying
These feelings are getting stronger and more intense
And I'm losing control
I am struggling to keep my composure and remain rational
'Cause the power you're supplying
Because of the effect you are having on me
It's electrifying!
It's an intense and thrilling feeling
You better shape up
You need to improve and become a better partner
'Cause I need a man
Because I am seeking a compatible partner
And my heart is set on you
And I have become emotionally invested in you
You better understand
You need to comprehend my feelings and needs
To my heart I must be true
I need to remain loyal to my own feelings
Nothing left
I have no other options or choices
Nothing left for me to do
I have done all I can to show my interest in you
You're the one that I want
You are the person that I desire
Oo-oo-oo, honey
An expression of affection or endearment
If you're filled
If you have strong feelings
With affection
Of love and fondness
You're too shy to convey
You are hesitant to express those feelings
Better take my direction
You should follow my lead or guidance
Feel your way
Allow your emotions to guide you
I need a man
I am seeking a compatible partner
Who can keep me satisfied
Someone who can make me happy and content
If I'm gonna prove
If I am going to show you
That my faith is justified
That my feelings and trust in you are warranted
Are you sure
Do you truly feel confident
Yes I'm sure down deep inside
Yes, I am confident in my feelings and desires
Oo-oo-oo, the one I need
The person who I require or desire
Oh, yes indeed
An expression of affirmation or agreement
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: John Farrar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yazmeenascreamer
grease is awesome. less than jake doing grease covers = AWESOMENESS!
@PSPking1575
We did Grease this year. So happy I found this
@A2Z83
dont question LTJ's choices. They covered the iCarly theme and it was perfect.
@Hellwyck
@andrew ringwald they did this because Grease was a popular film and a huge slice of Americana. LTJ do stuff like this to be different.
@BOGROVSHORA
sick ! Awesome cover
@clothesoverbros5532
I love this <3
@Minimoose65
nice cover
@jamahl
@Unicylcist4Ever imagine the movie with ltj in it
@erickmazur807
Fuck me. I had to sing olivias parts cause im a tenor 1. Lmao. I killed it. Played rhythm guitar too. Boom
@milesr94
f*ck yeah!