Cake's musical palette includes touches of folk, hip-hop, soul, funk and country, to name a few, all
topped with a thick layer of irony. It is that last element that has brought Cake criticism, despite
consistent praise for the band's eclecticism. The wry humor of Cake's lyrics has been interpreted
as smugness, defensiveness or just plain insignificance by some. The band formed in
Sacramento in 1991. At that point, Cake was made up of John McCrea (lead vocals/guitar), Greg
Brown (guitar), Victor Damiani (bass), Vince DiFiore (trumpet) and Todd Roper (drums). They
released their first album, the self-financed Motorcade of Generosity, in 1994. The low-fi debut
featured the song "Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle," which quickly became a fan favorite. Distributed by
Stamen Records, Motorcade of Generosity sold well in Cake's home region and led to a deal with
Capricorn Records, who bought Cake's contract from Stamen and reissued the album. Cake's
first record for Capricorn was 1996's Fashion Nugget. The album's lead single, "The Distance," a
monotone half-song, half-chant about a race-car driver in a troubled romance, became a big
novelty hit on modern-rock radio. Heavy airplay of "The Distance" as well as "I Will Survive"
propelled Fashion Nugget to platinum sales. However, nonstop touring in the wake of Fashion
Nugget's success took its toll on Cake. McCrea was plagued by health problems, culminating in
his exhaustion forcing the cancellation of several weeks' worth of dates. Intra-band relations
soured, as well; Damiani left the band in late 1997, followed by Brown in January 1998.
Nonetheless, Cake entered the studio in early 1998, recording with new bassist Gabe Nelson and
various guitarists. The band eventually settled on Xan McCurdy as a replacement for Brown.
Cake's third album, Prolonging the Magic, was released in October 1998. Andrew Fraker
Cake's musical palette includes touches of folk, hip-hop, soul, funk and country, to name a few, all
topped with a thick layer of irony. It is that last element that has brought Cake criticism, despite
consistent praise for the band's eclecticism. The wry humor of Cake's lyrics has been interpreted
as smugness, defensiveness or just plain insignificance by some. The band formed in
Sacramento in 1991. At that point, Cake was made up of John McCrea (lead vocals/guitar), Greg
Brown (guitar), Victor Damiani (bass), Vince DiFiore (trumpet) and Todd Roper (drums). They
released their first album, the self-financed Motorcade of Generosity, in 1994. The low-fi debut
featured the song "Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle," which quickly became a fan favorite. Distributed by
Stamen Records, Motorcade of Generosity sold well in Cake's home region and led to a deal with
Capricorn Records, who bought Cake's contract from Stamen and reissued the album. Cake's
first record for Capricorn was 1996's Fashion Nugget. The album's lead single, "The Distance," a
monotone half-song, half-chant about a race-car driver in a troubled romance, became a big
novelty hit on modern-rock radio. Heavy airplay of "The Distance" as well as "I Will Survive"
propelled Fashion Nugget to platinum sales. However, nonstop touring in the wake of Fashion
Nugget's success took its toll on Cake. McCrea was plagued by health problems, culminating in
his exhaustion forcing the cancellation of several weeks' worth of dates. Intra-band relations
soured, as well; Damiani left the band in late 1997, followed by Brown in January 1998.
Nonetheless, Cake entered the studio in early 1998, recording with new bassist Gabe Nelson and
various guitarists. The band eventually settled on Xan McCurdy as a replacement for Brown.
Cake's third album, Prolonging the Magic, was released in October 1998. Andrew Fraker
