Less Than Jake
Less Than Jake is an American ska punk band from Gainesville, Florida, formed in 1992. The band consists of Chris DeMakes (guitar, vocals), Roger Lima (bass, vocals), Buddy Schaub (trombone), Peter "JR" Wasilewski (saxophone), and Matt Yonker (drums). The band's music combines elements of ska, punk rock, and power pop.
Before the formation of Less Than Jake, Chris DeMakes, Vinnie Fiorello, and Shaun Grief played together in a local band called Good Grief while attending high school in Port Charlotte, Florida. After DeMakes enrolled at the University of Florida, he and Fiorello continued writing songs and formed Less Than Jake on July 13, 1992. Roger Lima, originally a guitarist, joined shortly afterwards and became the band's bassist. Influenced by groups such as Snuff, the band decided to incorporate a horn section. Jessica Mills became the first horn player in 1993, and Buddy Schaub joined soon afterwards. The band's first release, the seven-inch "Smoke Spot", was issued in 1993. Several EPs and vinyl releases followed before the band's debut album, "Pezcore", was released in 1995 through Dill Records. The title reflected the members' interest in Pez confectionery and the widespread use of the suffix "core" in genre terminology. Saxophonist Derron Nuhfer joined the band in 1995 after initially serving as a temporary replacement for Schaub during a tour.
Following the release of "Pezcore", Less Than Jake signed with Capitol Records and issued "Losing Streak" in 1996. The band toured extensively and participated in the Warped Tour. In 1998, they released "Hello Rockview", which included the single "History of a Boring Town", a song that reached number 39 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart. During this period, Fiorello and John Janick established the record label Fueled by Ramen.
After recording "Borders and Boundaries", the band left Capitol Records and released the album through Fat Wreck Chords in 2000. The record included the singles "Look What Happened" and "Gainesville Rock City". Following its recording, Derron Nuhfer departed and was replaced by Peter "JR" Wasilewski, formerly of Spring Heeled Jack. In 2001, trombonist Pete Anna, who had joined in 1998, left the band.
In 2003, Less Than Jake signed with Warner Bros. Records and Sire Records and released "Anthem". The album became the band's highest-charting release, reaching number 45 on the Billboard 200. It featured the singles "She's Gonna Break Soon", "The Science of Selling Yourself Short", and "The Brightest Bulb Has Burned Out". In 2004, the band released the compilation "B Is for B-Sides" and the retrospective DVD "The People's History of Less Than Jake".
After extensive touring and recording, the band released the EP "Absolution for Idiots and Addicts" and the album "In with the Out Crowd" in 2006. In 2007, they performed a series of concerts in Florida and London in which they played six albums in full. Later that year, they ended their association with Sire Records and Warner Bros. Records. They subsequently released live recordings independently and signed with Cooking Vinyl for the United Kingdom and European markets.
In 2008, Less Than Jake established their own label, Sleep It Off Records. Reissues of several earlier releases appeared the same year. The band's seventh studio album, "GNV FLA", was released in June 2008. The title was derived from the airport code for Gainesville. Touring in support of the album included appearances at the Reading and Leeds Festivals and a European tour with Zebrahead.
In 2010, the band released "TV/EP", a collection of television theme song covers. The following year they issued the EP "Greetings from Less Than Jake", followed by "Seasons Greetings from Less Than Jake" in 2012. Both releases were later combined with additional material on the compilation album "Greetings and Salutations", released through Fat Wreck Chords. The band's eighth studio album, "See the Light", was released in November 2013.
In February 2017, Less Than Jake released the EP "Sound the Alarm" through Pure Noise Records. It reached number 114 on the Billboard 200. The release marked the final recording featuring founding drummer and principal lyricist Vinnie Fiorello. In 2018, Fiorello ceased touring with the band, and in 2019 Roger Lima confirmed that he had departed entirely. Matt Yonker, formerly of Teen Idols and previously involved with the band in technical and management roles, became the permanent drummer.
The band's ninth studio album, "Silver Linings", was released in December 2020 after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Less Than Jake and Bowling for Soup undertook the Back for the Attack Tour, with The Aquabats appearing on selected dates. In November 2024, the band released the seven-song EP "Uncharted", produced by Bill Stevenson of Descendents and Black Flag.
The origin of the band's name has been described differently by members over the years. Chris DeMakes stated in interviews that it referred to a pet owned by Vinnie Fiorello's family, while Fiorello later clarified that Jake was an English Bulldog. The name and the band's longstanding association with Pez confectionery have become recurring themes in their artwork and merchandise.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Less_Than_Jake
Studio albums
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)
Before the formation of Less Than Jake, Chris DeMakes, Vinnie Fiorello, and Shaun Grief played together in a local band called Good Grief while attending high school in Port Charlotte, Florida. After DeMakes enrolled at the University of Florida, he and Fiorello continued writing songs and formed Less Than Jake on July 13, 1992. Roger Lima, originally a guitarist, joined shortly afterwards and became the band's bassist. Influenced by groups such as Snuff, the band decided to incorporate a horn section. Jessica Mills became the first horn player in 1993, and Buddy Schaub joined soon afterwards. The band's first release, the seven-inch "Smoke Spot", was issued in 1993. Several EPs and vinyl releases followed before the band's debut album, "Pezcore", was released in 1995 through Dill Records. The title reflected the members' interest in Pez confectionery and the widespread use of the suffix "core" in genre terminology. Saxophonist Derron Nuhfer joined the band in 1995 after initially serving as a temporary replacement for Schaub during a tour.
Following the release of "Pezcore", Less Than Jake signed with Capitol Records and issued "Losing Streak" in 1996. The band toured extensively and participated in the Warped Tour. In 1998, they released "Hello Rockview", which included the single "History of a Boring Town", a song that reached number 39 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart. During this period, Fiorello and John Janick established the record label Fueled by Ramen.
After recording "Borders and Boundaries", the band left Capitol Records and released the album through Fat Wreck Chords in 2000. The record included the singles "Look What Happened" and "Gainesville Rock City". Following its recording, Derron Nuhfer departed and was replaced by Peter "JR" Wasilewski, formerly of Spring Heeled Jack. In 2001, trombonist Pete Anna, who had joined in 1998, left the band.
In 2003, Less Than Jake signed with Warner Bros. Records and Sire Records and released "Anthem". The album became the band's highest-charting release, reaching number 45 on the Billboard 200. It featured the singles "She's Gonna Break Soon", "The Science of Selling Yourself Short", and "The Brightest Bulb Has Burned Out". In 2004, the band released the compilation "B Is for B-Sides" and the retrospective DVD "The People's History of Less Than Jake".
After extensive touring and recording, the band released the EP "Absolution for Idiots and Addicts" and the album "In with the Out Crowd" in 2006. In 2007, they performed a series of concerts in Florida and London in which they played six albums in full. Later that year, they ended their association with Sire Records and Warner Bros. Records. They subsequently released live recordings independently and signed with Cooking Vinyl for the United Kingdom and European markets.
In 2008, Less Than Jake established their own label, Sleep It Off Records. Reissues of several earlier releases appeared the same year. The band's seventh studio album, "GNV FLA", was released in June 2008. The title was derived from the airport code for Gainesville. Touring in support of the album included appearances at the Reading and Leeds Festivals and a European tour with Zebrahead.
In 2010, the band released "TV/EP", a collection of television theme song covers. The following year they issued the EP "Greetings from Less Than Jake", followed by "Seasons Greetings from Less Than Jake" in 2012. Both releases were later combined with additional material on the compilation album "Greetings and Salutations", released through Fat Wreck Chords. The band's eighth studio album, "See the Light", was released in November 2013.
In February 2017, Less Than Jake released the EP "Sound the Alarm" through Pure Noise Records. It reached number 114 on the Billboard 200. The release marked the final recording featuring founding drummer and principal lyricist Vinnie Fiorello. In 2018, Fiorello ceased touring with the band, and in 2019 Roger Lima confirmed that he had departed entirely. Matt Yonker, formerly of Teen Idols and previously involved with the band in technical and management roles, became the permanent drummer.
The band's ninth studio album, "Silver Linings", was released in December 2020 after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Less Than Jake and Bowling for Soup undertook the Back for the Attack Tour, with The Aquabats appearing on selected dates. In November 2024, the band released the seven-song EP "Uncharted", produced by Bill Stevenson of Descendents and Black Flag.
The origin of the band's name has been described differently by members over the years. Chris DeMakes stated in interviews that it referred to a pet owned by Vinnie Fiorello's family, while Fiorello later clarified that Jake was an English Bulldog. The name and the band's longstanding association with Pez confectionery have become recurring themes in their artwork and merchandise.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Less_Than_Jake
Studio albums
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)
