Formed by former Brass Lamp members Carl Filipiak (guitar), Bill DeLoach (keyboards), and Mark Weidinger (drums) along with Ken Fitzgerald (bass). The band name came about during a long road trip. Each member arbitrarily picked a letter and they rearranged the letters to come up with the name Jake.
Tony Sciuto (guitar ex-Ravins, Meat) soon joined the group replacing Filipiak who had left to join Dryed Ice. They were seen at the Act III at Matusky’s Corner in Riviera Beach, the Famous Ballroom… Jake also performed at the WKTK sponsored Flood Relief Benefit concert at Steelworkers Hall on August 22, 1972.
The group was hired by local singer Renaud to go on tour as the opening act for the Jackson 5. This version of Jake was billed as Renaud & the Contraband.
Fitzgerald later joined Raintree. Weidinger joined Trilogy. Tony Sciuto (see bio) eventually went on to become a successful songwriter and recording artist. Filipiak next joined Dryed Ice and other groups before becoming successful jazz guitarist. DeLoach went on to join Joy, and later formed the group Sirprize.
