Less Than Jake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Less Than Jake
|
|
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg)
Less Than Jake performing in 2022. From left to right: J.R. Wasilewski, Buddy Schaub, Chris DeMakes, Matt Yonker, Roger Lima
|
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | LTJ |
| Origin | Gainesville, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres |
|
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Labels |
|
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
Less Than Jake is a super energetic American ska punk band that started in Gainesville, Florida, in 1992. The band mixes fast punk rock with the fun, brassy sounds of ska music.
The current members are Chris DeMakes (who sings and plays guitar), Roger Lima (who sings and plays bass), Matt Yonker (on drums), Buddy Schaub (on trombone), and Peter "JR" Wasilewski (on saxophone).
Less Than Jake released their first album, Pezcore, in 1995. They later signed with a big record company, Capitol Records, and released Losing Streak (1996) and Hello Rockview (1998). These albums helped them become more well-known. Their album Anthem (2003) was their most successful one. It included popular songs like "She's Gonna Break Soon."
In 2008, the band started their own record label called Sleep It Off Records. They have also released several shorter music collections called EPs. Their ninth studio album, Silver Linings, came out in 2020.
History of Less Than Jake
How the Band Started and Pezcore (1992–1995)
Before Less Than Jake, Chris DeMakes (singer/guitarist) and Vinnie Fiorello (drummer) were in a band called Good Grief in high school. When Chris went to the University of Florida, they decided to start a new band. On July 13, 1992, Less Than Jake was officially formed.
They needed a bass player and met Roger Lima, who was also at the University of Florida. Roger joined the band on bass. The band wanted to add a horn section, inspired by other bands. In 1993, Jessica Mills joined on saxophone, and later, Buddy Schaub joined on trombone.
The band got its unique name from Vinnie Fiorello's family pet, an English Bulldog named Jake. When the band practiced, Jake would sometimes get upset by the noise. Vinnie's mom would tell them to stop because they were "less than Jake" (meaning they were bothering Jake).
Their first record was a 7-inch called Smoke Spot. The band members even pressed the records themselves! In August 1995, their first full album, Pezcore, was released. The album's name comes from Roger and Vinnie's love for Pez candy. They even have large collections of Pez dispensers!
Losing Streak and Hello Rockview (1996–1999)
After Pezcore, Less Than Jake signed with Capitol Records. They released Losing Streak in 1996, which was full of their signature ska-punk sound. After touring, saxophonist Jessica Mills left the band. Pete Anna joined on trombone in 1998.
Around this time, drummer Vinnie Fiorello also started his own record label, Fueled by Ramen, with a friend. In 1998, Less Than Jake released Hello Rockview. A song from this album, "History of a Boring Town," became popular on college radio stations.
Borders and Boundaries (2000–2002)
The band decided to release their next album, Borders & Boundaries, on Fat Wreck Chords in 2000. This album included songs like "Look What Happened" and "Gainesville Rock City," which is an anthem for their hometown.
After this album, saxophonist Derron Nuhfer left the band. Peter Wasilewski, also a saxophonist, joined. To avoid confusion with another "Pete" in the band, Peter Wasilewski was nicknamed JR. In 2001, the first Pete (Pete Anna) left the band.
In 2002, Less Than Jake toured a lot in the US and Europe. They also re-released an album called Goodbye Blue and White, which had songs from their earlier 7-inch records. This album was named after their first tour van!
Anthem and In with the Out Crowd (2003–2007)
Less Than Jake returned to a major record label for their 2003 album, Anthem, released on Warner Bros./Sire Records. This album was their highest-charting album, reaching number 45 on the Billboard 200.
Anthem had three popular songs: "She's Gonna Break Soon," "The Science Of Selling Yourself Short," and "The Brightest Bulb Has Burned Out." The music video for "She's Gonna Break Soon" even featured actress Alexis Bledel from Gilmore Girls.
In 2004, the band released B Is for B-sides, which had songs that didn't make it onto Anthem. They also released a DVD called The People's History of Less Than Jake, showing their journey.
After writing and recording new music in 2005, the band released their next album, In with the Out Crowd, in May 2006. In 2007, Less Than Jake played special shows in Florida and London, where they played each of their albums in full! Later that year, they left Sire Records and started releasing live recordings directly to fans.
GNV FLA and EP Releases (2008–2017)
In 2008, Less Than Jake announced they were starting their own record label, Sleep It Off Records. They wanted to release their new music and older albums through their own label.
Their new album, GNV FLA, was released on June 24, 2008. The title is short for Gainesville, Florida's airport code, showing the band's connection to their hometown. The first song released from the album was "Does The Lion City Still Roar?".
In 2010, the band released TV/EP, which had 16 cover songs of famous television show themes. They also released two EPs (shorter albums) called Greetings from Less Than Jake (2011) and Seasons Greetings from Less Than Jake (2012). These EPs were later combined into a full album called Greetings and Salutations.
_305.jpg)
In 2013, Less Than Jake signed with Fat Wreck Chords again and released their eighth studio album, See the Light, on November 12, 2013. They continued to tour and released another EP, Sound the Alarm, in 2017.
Vinnie Fiorello's Departure and Silver Linings (2018–Present)
.jpg)
In 2018, Vinnie Fiorello, the band's drummer, announced he would no longer be touring with Less Than Jake. He wanted to spend more time with his family. The band quickly found a new touring drummer, Matt Yonker, who had worked with them behind the scenes for a long time. Matt later became a full-time member.
Roger Lima explained that Vinnie's departure meant the rest of the band took on more of the songwriting duties. In October 2020, Less Than Jake released their ninth studio album, Silver Linings.
_(cropped).jpg)
In 2022, Less Than Jake went on a big tour called the Back for the Attack Tour with another popular band, Bowling for Soup.
Side Projects
The members of Less Than Jake are involved in other cool projects too!
- Vinnie Fiorello, the former drummer, started two record labels: Fueled by Ramen (which he left in 2006) and Paper + Plastick. He also owns a toy company called Wünderland War.
- Roger Lima has a side band called Rehasher, where he sings and plays guitar. He also has a recording studio at his home called the "Moat House."
- JR Wasilewski writes his own solo music.
- Buddy Schaub is in a band called PB&J, where he plays bass, sings, and sometimes plays trombone. He's also part of Coffee Project, an acoustic duo.
- Chris DeMakes records his own solo music. He also hosts a podcast called "Chris DeMakes a Podcast," where he talks about songwriting with other musicians.
Band Members
Current members
- Chris DeMakes – vocals, guitars (1992–present)
- Roger Lima – vocals, bass (1993–present)
- Buddy "Goldfinger" Schaub – trombone (1993–present)
- Peter "JR" Wasilewski – saxophone (2000–present)
- Matt Yonker – drums (2018–present)
Former members
- Vinnie Fiorello – drums (1992–2018)
- Shaun Grief – bass (1992)
- Jessica Mills – saxophone (1993–1998)
- Derron Nuhfer – saxophone (1995–2000)
- Lars "Slim" Nylander – trombone (1998)
- Peter "Pete" Anna – trombone (1998–2001)
Timeline
Discography
- Pezcore (1995)
- Losing Streak (1996)
- Hello Rockview (1998)
- Borders & Boundaries (2000)
- Anthem (2003)
- In with the Out Crowd (2006)
- GNV FLA (2008)
- See the Light (2013)
- Silver Linings (2020)
See also
In Spanish: Less Than Jake para niños
