CAKE, an alternative band from Sacramento, was formed in 1991. The original band members were John McCrea (vocals), Greg Brown (guitar), Vince DiFiore (trumpet), Shon Meckfessel (bass guitar), and Frank French (drums). Meckfessel left the band early and was replaced by Gabe Nelson, who also left and was replaced by Victor Damiani.
Their first single, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Lifestyle” was self-released and quite successful. Their debut album, Motorcade of Generosity, was nationally released in 1994 after Cake signed with Capricorn Records. Frank French then departed from Cake, and Todd roper took his place. Fashion Nugget was next and included the single “The Distance”. After this release, bassist Victor Damiani left the band. They did not have a bass player until Gabe Nelson rejoined two albums later. Greg Brown left the band before their next release , Prolonging the Magic, and the album features multiple guitarists on different tracks as potential replacements. Xan McCurdy then became Brown’s permanent replacement. Comfort Eagle was Cake's first release with Columbia Records, with whom they also released their following album, Pressure Chief. Pressure Chief is the first album which features their current drummer, Paulo Baldi.
Cake then formed their own record label in 2007, Upbeat Records, and released a greatest hits compilation album called B-Sides and Rarities. The compilation album features cover songs and live versions of some of their previously released songs. Showroom of Compassion (2011), their first studio album released on Upbeat Records, was also their first album to debut at #1 on the Billboard Album Chart. Cake removed themselves from the power grid and converted their recording studio to use only solar power in 2008, so this latest album was recorded using the power of the sun.
Cake is currently on tour, and continues to promote environmental friendliness. They have started what they call the “Cake Forest”, where people win trees to plant in their hometowns. The Cake Forest expands across the United States from coast to coast, and is also growing in Canada and Europe. Additionally, their website includes a carpool page to help fans find shared transportation to their upcoming shows.
