Less Than Jake

Less Than Jake is a ska punk band from Gainesville, United States, active since 1992. The group draws on punk, punk rock, ska, ska punk and skate punk, and its music also combines elements of power pop.

Formation and early years

Before forming Less Than Jake, Chris DeMakes, Vinnie Fiorello and Shaun Grief play together in a local band called Good Grief while attending high school in Port Charlotte, Florida. DeMakes later enrols at the University of Florida, and he and Fiorello form Less Than Jake on 13 July 1992. Roger Lima, who originally plays guitar, joins shortly afterwards and switches to bass.

The band adds a horn section after being influenced by groups such as Snuff. Jessica Mills becomes the first horn player in 1993, followed soon afterwards by Buddy Schaub on trombone. The first release, the seven-inch Smoke Spot, appears in 1993, followed by several EPs and vinyl releases.

Albums, singles and labels

The debut album Pezcore is released in 1995 through Dill Records. The title reflects the band’s interest in Pez confectionery and the use of “core” in genre names. After Pezcore, the band signs with Capitol Records and releases Losing Streak in 1996.

Hello Rockview follows in 1998 and includes “History of a Boring Town”, which reaches number 39 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart. During this period, Vinnie Fiorello and John Janick establish Fueled by Ramen. After recording Borders and Boundaries, the band leaves Capitol Records and releases the album through Fat Wreck Chords in 2000. That record includes “Look What Happened” and “Gainesville Rock City”.

Derron Nuhfer joins in 1995 after first filling in for Schaub on tour, and later leaves after the recording of Borders and Boundaries; Peter “JR” Wasilewski, formerly of Spring Heeled Jack, replaces him. Trombonist Pete Anna, who joins in 1998, leaves in 2001.

In 2003, the band signs with Warner Bros. Records and Sire Records and releases Anthem, its highest-charting album, reaching number 45 on the Billboard 200. The album features “She’s Gonna Break Soon”, “The Science of Selling Yourself Short” and “The Brightest Bulb Has Burned Out”. In 2004, the band issues the compilation B Is for B-Sides and the retrospective DVD The People’s History of Less Than Jake.

After further touring and recording, Less Than Jake releases the EP Absolution for Idiots and Addicts and the album In with the Out Crowd in 2006. In 2007, the band plays a run of concerts in Florida and London, performing six albums in full, and later ends its association with Sire Records and Warner Bros. Records. It then releases live recordings independently and signs with Cooking Vinyl for the UK and European markets.

In 2008, the band establishes Sleep It Off Records and issues reissues of several earlier releases. The seventh studio album, GNV FLA, appears in 2008; its title comes from Gainesville’s airport code. Touring for the album includes appearances at the Reading and Leeds Festivals and a European tour with Zebrahead.

The band releases TV/EP in 2010, a set of television theme song covers, then Greetings from Less Than Jake in 2011 and Seasons Greetings from Less Than Jake in 2012. These later appear together with extra material on Greetings and Salutations, issued through Fat Wreck Chords. See the Light follows in 2013.

In February 2017, Less Than Jake releases Sound the Alarm through Pure Noise Records; it reaches number 114 on the Billboard 200. The release is the final recording to feature founding drummer and principal lyricist Vinnie Fiorello. By 2018, Fiorello stops touring with the band, and by 2019 Roger Lima has departed entirely. Matt Yonker, previously involved with the band in technical and management roles and formerly of Teen Idols, becomes the permanent drummer.

The ninth studio album, Silver Linings, is released in 2020. In 2022, Less Than Jake and Bowling for Soup tour together on the Back for the Attack Tour, with The Aquabats appearing on selected dates. In 2024, the band releases the seven-song EP Uncharted, produced by Bill Stevenson of Descendents and Black Flag.

Name and recurring imagery

The origin of the band’s name is described differently by members over time. Chris DeMakes says it refers to a pet owned by Vinnie Fiorello’s family, while Fiorello later explains that Jake is an English Bulldog. Pez confectionery and the band’s long association with it recur in the artwork and merchandise.

Line-up

Members associated with the group include Shaun Grief, Vinnie Fiorello, Chris DeMakes, Jessica Mills, Buddy Schaub, Derron Nuhfer, Lars Nylander, Peter Anna, Peter “JR” Wasilewski, Matt "Drastic" Yonker and Roger Lima.