Whatever Happened To CAKE?

The full band history of the band Cake
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THe quirky Sacramento alternative rock band Cake could best be described as square pegs in a round hole. It was made clear by frontman John McCrea vocal delivery and his cynical and sarcastic lyrics that went on to define the group’s music. So of course it was a surprise to a lot of people, including the band when they achieved mainstream popularity in the 90’s. Today let’s talk about the history of the band Cake.
Attending high school in Sacramento, California in the 70’s and 80’s, future Cake frontman John McCrea learned just enough guitar and bass to express his musical ideas, while coming up with verses he described as ‘inane.’ Mcrae’ commented on his parents influence on his musical sensibilities telling the montreal gazette “when my mom would sing american folk at night it would keep me up at night and i would feel a bit sad. My father would play russian gypsy accordion music. Both kinds of music going in the house did influence me al little bit - at least my music sensibilities.
Hank Williams Sr and big band musician Benny Goodman had the biggest influence on the then budding musician, citing country music as being profound to him remarking to billboard. Nobody that I take seriously as an artist can just discount country music,”“I really loved archetypal, moving melodies that sometimes aren’t all about originality, but about just communication of feeling - I just fall for that sort of raw emotion.” In fact, Cake in their career was described as an amalgamation of hank williams meets parliament meets meter.
Following school McCrea headed to Los Angeles to work as a songwriter, but he didn’t have the chops. He remarked to Billboard
“I realized my songs weren’t really one-size-fits-all enough,” says McCrea. “They were kind of weird and self-indulgent.” He soon returned to Sacaramento and continued to write songs while also waiting tables. This was the genesis of the songs that later became Cake tunes. Sacramento’s musical scene was pretty small, so much so that the future bandmates of Cake crossed paths with each other years before Cake formed.
Sacramento was a small enough city at that point that future original bandmates in Cake rossed paths years before the genesis of Cake. McCrea by this point had previously played in several groups including dalai lamas while his high school . Drummer Todd Roper was in a high school band with Cake bassist Victor Damiani and guitarist Greg Brown called saturday’s child.Roper’s drum teacher had introduced him to McCrea and they jammed together. The drummer was intrigued by McCrea’s songwriting and the two produced a demo tape that Roper brought to school. It caught the year of guitarist Greg Brown. By 1991 Cake was finally formed with Brown and McCrea being the creative nucleus of the group sharing their love of classic country and soul albums. Brown remarked to Billboard
“We were definitely very conceptual about it, for some reason,” Brown says. “We were just like, ‘Okay, we’re notgoing with our gut - we’re gonna make something, and we’re going to be intentional about it.’” adding “It was mostly great. Sometimes difficult.” Brown pauses. “But I’m not going to talk about that. Mostly just a wonderful, creative kind of explosion of ideas, like a fountain that just never stopped flowing.”
But the band was also notable because of pulling and pushing the listeners in different directions with brown admitting ot the state newspaper “cake has always been about pulling people in different directions. John for instance, doesn’t like rock, while I do. It’s not that we don’t get along musically or anything, but we do a lot of pushing and pulling trying to figure out who we are. ”
The band also remarked how in the sacramento music scene they saw a lot of bands acting like they were playing t

[@rnrtruestories]

Whose ready for metal and classic rock later this week? Also, what other topics do you want to see this week? Here’s the Tesla video I reference by the way! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mom1natrhKl9qqssi=irMFyHWjF8dp5WCg

[@BucksOutdoors]

Ben Folds Five ?

[@Pocketrocket-pj1us]

'I Hate labels.' 'You Are what you are, so Drop the Puck, run amok and play, you dumb fukc!!' 2 of my favorite quotes.... ever!!

[@jimvincent6242]

If you want to go a little further afield The Fall has a fascinating history, and was immensely influential.

[@bagleyjw]

Would you ever do The Dismemberment Plan? Such a great band that everyone should know about.

[@WillySylvester]

@@rnrtruestories 36 crazyfists from Alaska

[@kansascityshuffle8526]

Legend has it that they’re still driving and striving and hugging the turns.

[@johnnyonline]

Thinking of someone for whom he still burns.

[@ryankelly9032]

He’s going the distance.

[@MrWhiteVzla]

He is going for speed

[@RTFLDGR]

She's all alone.

[@Romad_20]

All alone!

[@thorn_again]

A little tidbit missing from your story. In summer of '94, before they signed to Capricorn, Vince gave in to pressure from his girlfriend and left the band for a couple months. He moved back to Seattle. They were playing a show at the Blackwater Cafe in Stockton and told the crowd that they needed a new trumpet player. A friend of mine was at the show and gave me their number. I had just graduated from UOP conservatory. I went up and auditioned and got the gig. So I toured with them August through November 1994 in support of Motorcade. Then they got the call from Capricorn and John really wanted his best bud Vince back. So he came back and I was out. My 15 minutes of almost fame. I played probably 30 shows or so with them, Seattle to El Paso, and a bunch in Sac and the bay area.

[@intrnlprym84evr]

Nice, bro. Still play music?

[@thorn_again]

@intrnlprym84evr not really, life went in a different direction. I can still play the horn and a few other instruments but don't have nearly the chops I had back in the day

[@Your_mom736]

That’s a cool story. I appreciate you sharing. ❤

[@hiddenamericachannel]

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@secretfornow8895]

Thats's a really cool story! While not on the same level, I also consider myself part of the circle of almost famous horn players…

[@jimglass3106]

I Will Survive is one of the best examples of making a song your own stylistically while retaining the essence and structure of the original.

[@rnrtruestories]

Agreed!

[@PaulSmoker420]

Wrong.

[@IxQuit]

@@PaulSmoker420 How can someone's personal opinion be objectively wrong? Come on, man.. I don't go on bands videos I don't like and tell everyone they're wrong for liking them. It's all about how it makes you feel.

[@scotttill3847]

@@IxQuit Don't feel bad bro, that dude has been killing what few brain cells he was born with by smoking cannabis all day.

[@aroundthefur1210]

Couldn’t agree more with you. I’ve had that one on my playlist a lot in the last month or so, very ironic that this video and your comment hit today. Love it.

[@wcg66]

Cake is one of my favourite bands. I'm so glad they reissued their albums on vinyl too. The sarcasm and the skilled musicianship is timeless.

[@biconditionals]

Still waiting on Motorcade of Generosity...

[@FreckledGemini]

Top 5 for me…maaaaaybe 4 😊

[@EyeKahnography]

oh ho DID They?? I just got easy to shop for for my birthday. Thank you for letting us know. I've been out of the loop

[@kangaroofoot]

They did??? Where can we find them?

[@SirPhilMcCrackinVonBeggington]

It's actually not timeless at all. No one today is discovering Cake, and even if someone did they wouldn't be like "OMG THIS IS STILL AWESOME." They had one sound--ONE. No evolution to their sound whatsoever. Lead singer sounds like a pretentious d*ck bag. But hey, I'm glad that one of your favorite bands is a mediocre 3 hit wonder.

[@ivangotyokes]

The musicians in Cake are some of the most underrated guys in the last 30 years. Staggering, driving basslines. Raw, dirty, yet so so clean guitars, and tight, locked in drums.

[@JeremyAndersonBoise]

As a lifelong musician, can confirm

[@LemmyGibbler]

They’re simplistic and horrible in every way.

[@kyleharrison2286]

@@LemmyGibbler lol ok

[@miscmeme]

Cake was the very first concert I ever went to over 18 years ago. Every member played to perfection. They weren't even going off a setlist. After each song was over whoever yelled one of their songs the loudest they'd just start playing that one next. I still remember how awesome it was to have the bass rattle the entire building. There's only 2 bands I've ever seen live that's played as tight and as clean as the original recording and that'd be Cake and Tool. Cake definitely deserves more recognition.

[@chucklesmcgillicuddy5925]

100 percent. Genius.

[@Freakerbythespeaker]

My mom passed in June and I'm tearing up right now because she would sing "The Distance" at the most random times, or I would, and we would just chime in with each other. Good memory.

[@blackwidor]

Hugs.

[@felonius_punk]

Sorry for your loss. My mom and I both love Cake too and its one of those bands thatll always remind me of her

[@lee-daniels]

I LOVE Cake. Skilled songwriting sarcasm. COMFORT EAGLE is a classic.

[@markkunkel7401]

They were building a religion!!

[@aprilbrown8081]

They were building it bigger!

[@cheshirepat30]

So Comfort Eagle also had Going the Distance on it, right?

[@markkunkel7401]

No that was on fashion nugget

[@markkunkel7401]

😊​@@aprilbrown8081

[@sukotto1001]

My band opened for them in Athens, GA. The drummer didn't bring a throne. He was going to sit in a regular chair, but our drummer lent him his throne.

[@johndiestelow3944]

Yo, was that at the 40watt club? If it was yall were pretty good.

[@mgkrewson]

I will never not laugh at drummers calling a simple stool a “throne”. But seriously, that’s incredible you got to open for them

[@sukotto1001]

@@johndiestelow3944 I wish. It was before they were big enough to play the 40 Watt, around 1996. It was much smaller, maybe the Engine Room? We played to an empty room, Cake basically, and they played to us and about 15 other people. They were fun.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

​@sukotto1001 throne can mean toilet in some cases. chamber music. im only joking . let them eat cake. is another one. if one does their own research. it means shit. i didn't do it. i loved their hit records. especially "going the distance" . those dudes had a sense of humour. and wrote great songs 🙏

[@tylerdohoney1544]

Whoa, hell yeah. Are you an elephant sixer by chance?

[@esteeb67]

I've seen Cake a bunch of times. The best time was at The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom in Hampton Beach, NH. They took the stage and McRea told a story about overhearing some waitresses talking near the bathroom. One said to the other one, "Oh I wonder what they are gonna play last?" And they both laughed about The Distance being a one hit wonder track. Now, I was already in the know from previous Cake shows that they almost always close with Jolene. So, McRea says, "So, we're gonna play it first. If that's all you came to hear feel free to leave afterwards." And then they played The Distance. No one left.

[@garrettbeckermusic204]

I always thought Short Skirt was they're biggest hit and hadn't even heard the Distance until I was in high school lol saw them at the Hollywood Bowl a few years back and they were exactly how I wanted them to be

[@ddddieggggo]

My dream is to travel to USA and get the chance to see them! 20+ years a fan

[@thewanderer2847]

research what happened at the 2024 show at cisco brewery in portsmouth nh, (I was there and it made me lose all respect for them)

[@esteeb67]

@@thewanderer2847 I couldn't find much other than it had a rain delay and lots of people left and then the show went back on. Did anything else happen? Seemed like it could be a venue issue. Was it outside?

[@GFraggle]

@@thewanderer2847 oh my god, that was the worst show I've ever been to.

[@WillySylvester]

I grew up in Sac and I once saw Defones and Korn with Cake at the Cattle Club for $8.... Cake was the headliner Lol 😅

[@PuffinPass]

Cattle Club was the best. Kai Kln, Pounded Clown, Deftones, Cake.... the list of great bands goes on and on.

[@zackschumann5521]

Cattle Club was awesome. Used to catch a ride there from the foothills whenever I could back in the very early 90s. Saw so many great acts there.

[@WillySylvester]

@@PuffinPass That's funny because I was gonna mention Kai Kln when I made that comment . I still have the shirt that has the raiders logo with the pot leaf. I believe they were the 1st local band to sell out the Crest. Man.... imagine if they ( gene ) would have signed that R deal?!

[@jennyraine8465]

I went to the Cattle Club a few times. Wish I'd seen Cake back in the day. They would occasionally play on the lawn at Sac State and I always had a class so couldn't catch them.

[@shadowban581]

Then it burnt down and it was never the same. I miss Bio mech so much.

[@ufopilotFPV]

Haha we were into metal and hard dance music yet somehow we all loved cake and would see them live.. impressive achievement, i still love them 3 decades later

[@tommymclaughlin-artist]

this

[@skree_fpv436]

actual same

[@Beetmonster]

So true

[@ActionFigureMagic]

Uh.. 😬 okayyy (what's 'Hard dance' Music'?) Can't recall ever hearing such a term. Metal? At the time of cake? 🤔.. Metallica..Was coming off the 'Black' album and it's forever tour(Enter Sandman? Really turned me off from the tallicas) .. specially? After coming off '...And Justice for All's .. Megadeth?!I guess count. 😊. . But? Yeah. Their was also Sublime.. Jane's addiction .. Grateful Dead (til 95) Pearl Jam.. No Doubt. Alanis. Their was SO so SO much different..but GOOD music being made? It kinda broke thru barriers, for me. Made it kinda OK to listen to ,well? Whatever ya wished. 😊. Cake? Idk. For me?.they were 'back ground' noise at party's or being a passed in others cars. .. Wed be rocking out ...than? Cake wld come on 😂.. that? Was when we turned the radio way down and talked about,whatever/Wherever. ..until? The Next GOOD Banger came on. That?Sums up my Mid 90s 😊 🙏 Hard dance music. Still Not sure what that would be? No Doubt? Or..like..C+C music factory? ✌️😊

[@skree_fpv436]

@@ActionFigureMagic Hard dance music is an umbrella category of electronic dance music characterized by fast tempos and hard kick drums. Genres like hard house, hard trance, hard techno, hard NRG, among others.

[@BangBang-en1ko]

And a loooooooooong jacket.

[@RJ-wx3fh]

Nananana nananananananana

[@th3gr81]

What a terrible time to be alive, that song is trash.

[@Musicfan88.]

@@th3gr811000%

[@paulyplatinum127]

And a loooooooooong … loooooooooong jacket.

[@lowlink534]

​@@th3gr81Cry me a riverrrrr 😂🎉

[@mountainhobbit1971]

all I know is I love Cake and I wish more people loved CAKE too

[@marklar7551]

Spoken like Peter Griffin 👽🗿👽

[@mlw5665]

Breathe the rarified air with me and relish it, my friend.

[@FredPena-rd5cf]

I met the lead singer once in Nashville. Drove him to the airport. He was cool and explained how little money Spotify pays artists and how the record deals just arent big anymore. And playing live is your sole moneymaker anymore besides selling the songs for commercials or soundtracks.

[@CesarHILL]

I met John a million billion years ago. He is really awesome. He is a friend of friend. The 90's were such good times. ❤

[@maj0rt0m81]

My favorite Cake show was when McCrea came out and said at the start "Hello. We are Cake and we are opening for Cake." They played for an hour took a break and came back out and played for an hour and a half. Those coming in late missed a great show.

[@simonwaffleman]

Every single one of my Cake CDs wound up with ashes on it from cigarettes. Not as an ashtray, just as a casualty of the time. I can't think of anything more 90s for me.

[@davehughesfarm7983]

Drunk in my house with 2-4 friends throwing guitars at 2 am

[@MP-db9sw]

Occasional specs of weed and little razor blade knicks all over most of my CD cases in those days lol

[@JT-un7dc]

Lol, you mofos make me laugh!

[@darrenthetuber743]

Cake is the most time capsule sound of the 90s, neither overstated nor understated, they were simply "witnesses"

[@usapostate23]

Coke residue on the old jewel cases from back then 😆 Good times, but glad I changed!

[@rwalker0130]

I hadn't thought about Cake in decades - then I rewatched Soprano's earlier this year and "Frank Sinatra" grabbed me right away. I learned a decent acoustic version of it and have enjoyed listening to their stuff again, what a great encapsulation of 90's alternative.

[@kiml8800]

Going the distance is such a vibe its more than a song

[@Scottocaster6668]

I thought that song was only a couple yrs old. Saw it on Sirius video channel and loved it. Didn't realize it was from the mid 90's.

[@kiml8800]

@@Scottocaster6668 ​ It transcends time .. and distance

[@gregbors8364]

@@Scottocaster6668That was their first “hit” on alternative rock stations

[@EzekielBrockmann]

I think you should buy a dictionary and look up the word "Vibe."

[@Scottocaster6668]

@@gregbors8364 I didn't get into alternative back then. Chris Cornell, Alice in Chains are really good. Just didn't get into it.

[@richnewman]

Saw Cake three times in one day at SXSW. They were playing at three different industry parties. Kinda crazy considering how popular they were at the time.

[@kenterminateddq5311]

I miss Cake. They were a very different band with an unique lead singer. "The Distance" is possibly their best hit song of their catalogue.

[@ExNihiloComesNothing]

They toured last year and it was great. You can still make it next time

[@markkunkel7401]

I don't think they're gone they just don't get out that often. Been a bit since last album tho I guess

[@markkunkel7401]

Their remake of Sad songs and Waltz's by Willie is fantastic

[@markkunkel7401]

No one can be compared to cake or soul coughing. I hate comparisons

[@kenterminateddq5311]

@@markkunkel7401 When did I compared Cake to Soul Coughing? Both have different sounds.

[@lesliemcmillan2971]

I'll never know what it is about Cake, but they burned into my brain memories of driving in my 91 Chevy Beretta so much, I'll always love them. The feeling of being young, happy and free.

[@jwigley3835]

I know that feeling. Those young free days. There was so much to see and do. When I think of that time period, I remember my 1988 Nissan Sentra and its underpowered tape deck and AC that basically didn't work. But that didn't matter one bit, I was out there experiencing all that I could with friends.

[@DirtyWesley]

Saw them live because a friend had tickets. One of the best shows I've ever seen. I'm a convert.

[@conservativehippie9736]

That reminds me of when I tagged along to see We are the Mummies...blew my mind! ❤️‍🔥

[@matj3296]

Same thing happened to me... Knew about the band, but a friend had tickets... One of the best live bands I saw

[@featherfoot614]

You know how the band you like never plays that one song you love in concert? Well, the second time I saw Cake, I waited too long to get a beer after the opener had left the stage. If I went to get a beer, I was in danger of missing Cake coming out. I decided to get a beer anyway as they would probably open with something off the radio or MTV. Standing there, third person in line, and I heard the crowd start cheering. Then I heard Stick Shifts and Safety Belts echoing out. That moment made me realize I loved Cake.

[@ExNihiloComesNothing]

A lot of good cars are Japanese But when I’m driving far I need my baby next to me

[@floptart5712]

I love that song so damn much

[@coolbluesman]

Great song. A few years back, I did a cover of stick shifts as a sad song cuz that was the Cake thing to do goddammit.

[@MetalJesusRocks]

Cake is one of those 90s bands I can just listen to all their albums on shuffle and not get bored. So many great deep cuts as well as hits.

[@Super.Whimsy]

Metal Jesus likes Cake. Nice! 😎

[@cyrollan]

Hi MetalJesus!

[@SirPhilMcCrackinVonBeggington]

There are no deep cuts, and their songs all sound the same due to the spoken word singing and annoying trumpeting. No idea who you are, but your taste in music clearly sucks.

[@gregoryrobertson6866]

My biggest influence on the vibra slap. Have you noticed in the video for I Will Survive the protagonist from the video for The Distance runs by on camera? You also are unlikely to hear a white boy groove as hard as Sick of You. Cake yesterday.Cake today.Cake forever!

[@upfrontfanatic88]

Saw them in concert in Tulsa at a small venue. I was the first person in line and I ended up being front and center. It was a lot of fun.

[@zacharyhodge1761]

Cain's was such a great venue in the 90s.

[@greo909]

Were you on the escapism side or the anger side?

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Never There is my favorite Cake song. The Distance is also great. Sheep Go To Heaven is just awesome. Prolonging The Magic is one of those albums I can just put in and push play. I need to dig out my CDs and jam to some Cake. Yes, I'm old. I don't like streaming.

[@deedeeduncan9347]

My favorite Cake album also

[@marklar7551]

So listen to hem of your garment and tell me how similar those two songs are. I prefer the opening to Hem of your Garment 🗿👽🗿👽🗿

[@playgroundchooser]

But... goats go to hell. 🫤

[@polytriks]

Sheep Go to Heaven was one of the crowd favorites (and mine too) when they played the Cattle Club in Sacramento back in 1993/1994. I always thought it was funny that it didn't show up on an album until their third.

[@MrMaverick1855]

I need your arms around me I need to feel your touch

[@jackieheinrich334]

Cake is just so great! So catchy and fun. I saw them in Phili with Cheap Trick. Now, that was a great show.

[@anthonythompson334]

Not many bands can cover a Black Sabbath song and a Barry White song with style. A Legendary Band worthy of more props.

[@rellis881]

you forgot about the Gloria Gaynor song, I will survive which is a gay anthem I think, cake made it cool

[@lowlink534]

​@@rellis881And Miley Cyrus made it cringe... Oh wait, that song isn't a cover 😂🎉

[@rellis881]

@lowlink534 lol

[@Smith-wk6pb]

​@@rellis881that was talked about in the video or can't you hear or listen.

[@rellis881]

@Smith-wk6pb I actually made the comment before I got to the end and they did not actually mention the glory of Gaynor song until almost the end of the video. so I kind of jumped the gun but I think you're just nitpicking because you like the nitpick I did listen I actually really like cake a lot I have like three of their albums going to set or actually two. I'm voice texting I haven't listened to them in years but their friend song I really love short skirt long jacket, when I need to be hyped of course I have to listen to the distance. Frank Sinatra never there I can go on and on I love cake I don't listen to cake all the time but they're there when I need them. so I won't even be my usual asshole self and post a whole bunch of insults to you I'll let this one slide.... oh and I forgot one of the most kick ass covers of all time which to me I like listening to it more than I like the original, war pigs. matter of fact I think I feel like I need to listen to it right now

[@jasenjahn]

I saw Cake in my home town in Idaho about 8 years ago. What a great show. John was a humble and normal dude. He was always asking the crowd questions and bringing up topics that were down to earth and pretty funny. At the time he was living just east of us in Montana.

[@Salamander_falls]

One of my favorite bands. I saw them live a couple years ago and they were pretty low-energy. At the time it felt a bit like burnout but i enjoyed it none the less. To find out that they in fact find the concert circuit draining and difficult AND that a toned-down musical tone is something they aspire for… that honestly brings a better light to the memory.

[@SkinnyEatWorld95]

I love Cake. We used to play them while tripping to keep from going dark. Saved us from a lot of bad trips.

[@charliebrown4799]

Gonna have to remember that next time I shroom

[@samuraicode4264]

That would ruin my night fr

[@gregbors8364]

You need a better source of LSD

[@lordluckylucan]

yeah, i would never listen to Cake tripping. not sure what you normally listen to.

[@peanutbutterdijonnaise]

Cool story bro

[@fakshen1973]

Short skirt and long jacket described a lot of people we knew in the 90s.

[@Black_Jesus3005]

I only heard that song because my older brother bootlegged it on Napster 😂

[@bobbylasers]

Also their best song 🎉

[@BucksOutdoors]

Absolutely love Cake and was lucky enough to see them here in Sydney in the late 90s. They're my go to band for karaoke ! Mr True Stories, any chance we could get an episode on Ben Folds Five ?

[@legoqueen2445]

I've had One Angry Gnome on repeat in my head for the last month. Just one section, a it of the verse before it hits the chorus. I keep meaning to play the whole song on youtube so hopefully my brain will stop the ongoing repeat but then I forget so it continues. Might do it now, thx for the reminder! 😂😊

[@rnrtruestories]

Stay tuned!!! Coming very soon! Thanks for the suggestion

[@cjsdizzy]

Cake was one of those bands i discovered with some friends in middle school in the late 00s. Theyve always been one of the most unique bands ive heard. Sick video dude

[@thisaintmuhname1579]

I’ve seen cake five different times in Nashville. They’re definitely one of the most fun bands I’ve ever seen live. They really like to get the crowd involved and always sounded great live.

[@robash5474]

I'm from Sacramento, and was fortunate to have seen Cake in their formative stages. They were friends of friends. I actually got to hang out the band a few times at parties. Todd Roper is a really nice guy . Very funny and personable, Victor and Greg were both very quiet, Greg seemed especially shy . He apparently preferred to let his axe do the talking .I know i encountered Vince as well but can't remember too much . The only one I didn't meet for sure was John McRae. He's notoriously reclusive I didn't idn't realize at the time they would become such Icons. They deserve all their success made a lot of great music and have represented Sacramento very well over over the years

[@michaelweigand9346]

Guarantee these guys have always been the types you’d see next Tuesday

[@CoryFukuoka]

Love your videos and as a lifelong resident of Sacramento, thank you for mentioning the Beat record store. That brought a tear to my eye.

[@TimmyCherry]

The Beat... so much time there. It was like the end of an era when it closed.

[@CoryFukuoka]

@TimmyCherry the Beat and Tower Records, what a time to be living in Sacramento. I would go to the Beat, drop a couple hundred and then go to Hamburger Mary's across the street. God I miss that.

[@rnrtruestories]

Thanks for listening

[@jackcrassus168]

I love Cake so much, I have been listening to a ton of the old albums this year

[@Peavey311]

During the early 2000's, Cake did an impromptu tour where they played at highway rest stops. Really anywhere that they could plug up a couple of amps. It was DIY and awesome!

[@JT-un7dc]

That's so rad.

[@brockvond1967]

Loved this band. The lead singer actually repaired my iPhone at the Apple Genius Bar once.

[@BoboMcBooboy]

Are you for real?!

[@pewpaws]

Yeah they were awesome at music and at small device repair too.

[@yvettevitacaponigro]

🤣😂👍🏻✌🏼

[@benjones7634]

Damn that's a pretty cool catch

[@fuck_it]

that’s pretty cool. I met him at a bar once too, damn he makes a really good margarita. I had to leave him a good tip

[@SPBTheHuman]

This is exactly why I watch your stuff. Fun, informative, and exciting video. I haven't been this hyped about Cake in years. Cheers! 🍻

[@frontierfishingwithRyanMacD]

I saw them get booed off the stage at Edgefest in Barrie, Ontario in 2001. They were slotted to play in between Sevendust and Default… they were doomed after the great show Sevendust put on… they played a couple of songs and people from the crowd were bewildered at the oddity of this band Cake (playing after Sevendust) and began booing and throwing the odd water bottle at the band… Mccrea yelled at the crowd “if you boo and throw 1 more bottle we’re leaving”….. Cue the bottles from everyone in the crowd being thrown at them - Mccrea flipped the crowd said “F you” and the band left the stage… Which was too bad because both my friend and I wanted to see them! I understand though - WOW - that was A LOT OF FLYING WATER BOTTLES!!!

[@nathanmailhot6923]

Hilarious, I've never even heard of Sevendust...

[@DizzLexic]

Yup.That was 2002 actually. I worked with The Edge at the time. I remember thinking how bizarre the placement of where Cake was in the schedule. They would have been way better recieved at the beginning with the lighter bands. As bad as I felt for them, it was pretty funny when everyone chucked their bottles in unison after his empty threat. hahaha (You have a great memory by the way) .. I wish I could find a clip of it on here but it doesn't seem to be anywhere.

[@frontierfishingwithRyanMacD]

@ I was waiting for someone to comment who was there.. I knew it had to be 2001/2002 based on the group of people I attended that concert with… Yeah, it was sad to see it happen.

[@jw9737]

​@@nathanmailhot6923 look them up. There's a good reason cake shouldn't have gone after Sevendust. They always put on a great show. They probably would have been pretty disappointed with the fan reaction to Cake too. They're pretty down to earth. That's fully on the promoter.

[@robg2657]

I saw CAKE at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago in 2002 on The Unlimited Sunshine tour. The Flaming Lips were the opening act and half the audience cleared out when their set was over! I don't listen to CAKE that often anymore but when I do, I remember how much I love them and what a great band they were. They had great catchy tunes and really sardonic lyrics. No other band sounds like them. While The Flaming Lips went on to become afterthoughts to the ridiculous circus that their live shows became, I would gladly go to a CAKE show again in a heartbeat!

[@ashleybrown4754]

I used to listen to Fashion Nugget when I was a band nerd. The late nineteen hundreds were a different time.

[@larrydallasisdead]

My kiddo is in color guard… I’ve seen the Distance in two different halftime shows this year.

[@Smith-wk6pb]

The last time we were free

[@jamesgeorge4874]

The best times.

[@TheJayRoth]

Great content in this video. Huge nostalgia hit. I love this band and still play them on the regular. They're fricken sweet. Great work. I saw a bunch of Canadian footage and references so I'm assuming you're a fellow Canucks. My only minor complaint was the thumbnail. I assumed it was more about some of the volatility I've heard at their shows in the past or their recent political leanings.

[@rnrtruestories]

I am Canadian! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@RamboVee]

10:03 to this day, since buying the album in ‘96, I listen to I Will Survive at least once a week. It’s an ode to a beautiful baseline. It’s pure magic

[@tarantasaurus4177]

I saw Cake at the album release for Fashion Nugget at the Tower Records in Sac & used to listen to songs from Motorcade on KWOD 106.5 during the Local music segments. Great vid!

[@djvoid1]

Rip goofy fun rock 1995-2001

[@ChrisNoonetheFirst]

A faintly glimmering radio station...

[@domb8448]

They're back, baby!

[@marklar7551]

They released Sinking Ship during the 45th POTUS administration.....they are still here 🗿👽🗿👽🗿

[@th3gr81]

Rest in piss, goofy rockers.

[@albounderhill3367]

Check out 'Cheekface' , thank me later

[@willismoore156]

Nice one, I'm from Sacramento and remember seeing them at the now defunct cattle club

[@rnrtruestories]

Thanks

[@MrERLoner]

Same. CD release party for.Motorcade.

[@TimmyCherry]

The Cattle Club! Pretty much every band that got big in the early/mid '90s played that little place.

[@polytriks]

Me too, many times. Actually sat on the stage for the entirety of the Cake/Deftones/Korn show in April of 1994.

[@brianhaun9772]

COMFORT EAGLE, too !!

[@SatansSimgma]

You can meet at his location but you better come with cash

[@nbooth]

An old man sits, collecting stamps, In a room all filled with Chinese lamps... Fashon Nugget is one of my all time favorite albums. Every track is a gem.

[@Lane_Brian_Lane]

I saw them a couple of times in Denver. They gave away a tree during one show.

[@dannyinoakpark9095]

One of the best live bands in Sacramento I always loved seeing Cake live

[@davidhaworth7152]

They sounded great too

[@MatthewGlenEvans]

Cake has been one of my favorite bands since I was 14 and found a copy of "Prolonging the Magic" in a basket of random stuff from my moved-out older sister's room. I finally got to see them live in Cedar Rapids in May of this year.

[@darrenthetuber743]

Cake in many ways, was the sound of what Kurt Cobain spoke, not what he played, it was like the sarcastic yet loving hug he never got to feel. His floating ghost commenting on his now dead useless body. Cake represented the core missing ingredient of the grunge movement, humor and humility. Grunge was always bound to be the angry miserable cousin of hair metal. Success used to kill it self, before it could enjoy the fruits of its labor (Dave Mustaine warned grunge, don't do heroin; nearly all its casualties are narcotic related)

[@markt4834]

Comfort Eagle is one of the top 5 songs on my life's playlist. I have a video of my two kiddos, probably 4 and 9 years old, dancing around in my workshop to it, for the whole song, singing along here and there, just having a ball.

[@randombarbarian5637]

They just wanted dental insurance and a 401K.... they should have wrote a song about that lol

[@Zaruf]

Not a lot of Cake content out there and I love this band, so thanks :)

[@SatansSimgma]

Comfort Eagle is more relatable then when it came out.

[@file83]

Their sound is my 90’s theme music. Listening to them takes me back to jamming with friends at a buddy’s home studio. We loved Cake and it was always playing. Buddy was an “alt rock” radio DJ and even had Weezer play some live sets from his house when they were in town for a concert. I was hoping to be the lead singer of our burgeoning band, but I ended up getting a job overseas and that was the end of that. Cake music brings back the feelings of those lofty dreams. Ah, our 20’s, when anything was possible.

[@anthonyparkernearlifeexp]

I went to Sacramento city junior college at the same time as Greg Brown and we had several mutual friends. He taught me how to play space oddity by Bowie one day when I stopped him while he was walking by at sac city. I knew he was a Bowie nut and I’d been wanting to learn that song. He was very cool and gladly stopped and showed me how to play it. I saw Cake play at Sacramento state college in mid 90s as well. I also saw Saturdays child once. They did an amazing cover of Hurdy Gurdy man.

[@Klowd2323]

Cake used to do a bunch of shows at back yard BBQ's and parties in Sacramento. Super fun! That is the only way I ever saw them live.

[@danjones1365]

Their early rehearsal space/studio is still largely intact in a storage room next to a garage in an old farmhouse property on Folsom Blvd just past SacState. Carpet insulation, cardboard, and acoustic tiles stapled to all surfaces. 😂

[@laure26]

I just saw them this weekend & it was literally the best sounding live music I’ve ever heard in person. I will love them forever

[@jeffmcelroy5364]

How could you fail to mention the fact that Cake drummer Pete McNeal was convicted, charged and sentanced for sexual assault upon a minor and currently remains in federal prison?

[@scottshanahan3827]

Not just a minor, a 3 year old. Dude needs to live the rest of his life in extreme pain.

[@jrthetravelingsalesman6357]

That’s wild

[@JohnWise-q9p]

A f*** ING THREE YEAR OLD?? WHAT'S HEE?? A F***ING 3- YEAR- OLD HIMSELF!!???😮😮😮😅😅😅😅

[@JohnWise-q9p]

Where did they DIG UP THAT DRUMMER?? FROM A DAY CARE CENTER FOR INCURABLE CHILD MOLESTORS!???😮😅😅😅

[@CaptainHavfun-lp4ok]

I got to hang with them backstage, at Universal Amphitheater, back in 2004. They were super cool. They actually talk to me and friends. I told them they were my favorite band. I used to workout to their music, because it had a way of getting me pumped, and then keeping me going. They were the second nicest band I've met, next to Tesla.

[@richardbently7236]

Diagnosed with exhaustion that's interesting. I would love to hear some Mcrea country music now that's he's gone through so much.

[@rnrtruestories]

I think the label just pushed them to tour and tour to sell albums

[@yvettevitacaponigro]

Thank you for the post! ✌🏼😊

[@BlindN1Ear]

Love to hear your take on Metal Church. They were a band with huge potential and talent and were beset with bad luck and tragedies. Pretty crazy stuff.

[@paulwellnitz5798]

A highly underrated band

[@MokkaMatti]

Metal Church + Sir Mix-A-Lot 🔀 Iron Man 🎸 👷🔥

[@Craigstern73]

Another underrated band, I love all their stuff. Used to do bodywork & jam to them all day!

[@BlackZynfyndel]

They actually went the distance…

[@waverlyking6045]

They went for speed…

[@ExNihiloComesNothing]

@@waverlyking6045they’re all alone

[@waverlyking6045]

@@ExNihiloComesNothing All alone in their time of need...

[@MellieMellie97146]

I always wanted to see them in concert. I hope they do another tour. 🙂

[@blerp8285]

They’re still touring

[@MellieMellie97146]

@ I sure hope I get a chance to see them. I was active duty before and could never get to a concert. 🙂

[@SolidTryThough]

Saw them live last month in San Diego. They are still great.

[@Woozlewuzzleable]

They have one of the best cover songs, completely made it their own.

[@AshtonRogers-se1zj]

I think that they approach each of their covers in a unique way that's almost always well suited to that particular song. Their version of songs like I Will Survive and Perhaps,Perhaps,Perhaps are so different from the originals and therefore work so well. But with songs like Ruby,Don't Take Your Love Into Town and Guitar Man they make subtle little tweaks at the most. And somehow manage to make those covers sound way better than the originals anyway.

[@mattmiller4821]

War pigs?

[@crowchannel3891]

I Will Survive

[@mattmiller4821]

@@crowchannel3891 well , their war pigs cover was awesome as well

[@crowchannel3891]

My bad, I’ll have to check it out.

[@MiscDotGeek]

I remember when these guys hit with Fashion Nugget, and I was an instant fan. Still am. Great band, and a great video.

[@KingOFuh]

I loved Cake ever since I saw them on the Smothers Brothers Hour.

[@jessicahaha9]

I once met them after a gig, they invited me to hang out and I subsequently got to eat cake with Cake (well, half of them lol). Will forever be one of the coolest moments of my life, they’ve been one of my favourite bands since I was a teenager 😄

[@davebodi]

He's going the distance !

[@uschilou]

He's going for speed!

[@nat9909]

It's probably the tightest live show I ever saw. They're a really amazing band to see live. Boston 90s at the half shell. I saw a lot of good bands there and they were free.

[@theconman5540]

saw cake last year and they put on an incredible performance. such an underrated band nowadays.

[@1957burb]

Up So Close and Haze of Love are probably my two favorite "apparently completely unknown to anyone else on earth" songs. Listen to how the arrangement builds on each bar of Up So Close. Genius. Motorcade of Generosity is a subtle masterpiece.

[@BoiseInsure]

I've been one of the biggest fans of the band since before they got big. I used to see them in local Sacramento clubs, and was fortunate enough to be an early adopter and play them on radio stations in Northern California when they finally hit. But I'll tell you, some of us are just sick of getting an earful of preaching about politics. So I still listen to their music, but I just don't listen to their politics and I think a lot of people got sick of it. It would probably help if they release some new material as well.

[@davehughesfarm7983]

I suppose he is a left wing nut job?

[@tylerljohnson]

My fav band of all time, seen 'em probably 20 times over the years... Saw them twice this past summer

[@Being_Joe]

I have their CD. Still a good listen when your all alone in a time of need.

[@NeverMetTheGuy]

Great video. Great band.

[@davidtingley9978]

Fashion Nugget is one of the best albums of the 90's.

[@Mighty_Atheismo]

I have been actively wondering what happened to this band for years at this point. Im so glad to have one of my favorite rock historians tackling the question!

[@trendmassacre8423]

"Disco sucks was a white supremacist movement" No, disco sucked whether the artist was black or white, and apparently many black people were a part of that "white supremacist" movement 😂

[@WinterInTheForest]

Leftist logic. Most musicians suffer from it.

[@tjmb]

I saw CAKE live last summer, fantastic concert. I’m very happy they’re still making music.

[@robbyhanlon]

I definitely think the anti grunge sentiment was a breath of fresh air at the time. lol, they were alternative alternative 😅. Contrasting the ubiquitous, self destructive depression music with something very different. I had a match, but she had a lighter…

[@MetalHeadWorshipLeader]

Man, I love CAKE!!! I saw them in Seattle years ago, it was such a good show!!!

[@matthews7805]

Coulda used a whole brass section, but made it work with just one trumpet.

[@Ally-Oop]

I had NO idea about any of this. CAKE was my jam for a solid five years in HS and college but i had no clue the singer and band were so invested in their music. That the was that much thought behind it. It was just a fun ride for me.

[@BrinnerDang]

I love the song and accompanying video, "Love You Madly", where trumpeter Vince DiFiore and then drummer Pete McNeal have a cook-off to judges Jeff Smith, Phillis Diller, and Rick James (RIP to all three ): There's also a backstory to Pete that is very dark. I'm a little surprised there was absolutely no mention in this video. Perhaps it's just another sordid rock and roll tale people would rather forget...

[@rodneystanger1651]

Let's hear this story...

[@the1stime]

Do tell…

[@rirkc]

Fan. Big fan. Always have been, always will be.

[@jtd3421]

These guys are legends. Absolutely love them.

[@Jen44657]

Core memory: John came into the restaurant I cooked at while we were blasting his music in the prep kitchen. He def think heard it. I was rocking out, looked up (open kitchen) and there he was. He came in often and was always cool.