On the record with Vincent DiFiore of CAKE, which performs in July at SteelStacks

Listen to this article

After signing with Capricorn Records in ’95 and releasing its sophomore album “Fashion Nugget” the following year, the record went platinum on the strength of its single “The Distance” – to this day one of the band’s most popular hits.

“Prolonging the Magic,” the band’s third album, also went platinum, having shipped more than one million units worldwide. Three years later in 2001, the band signed with Columbia Records and released “Comfort Eagle,” which featured the single “Short Skirt/Long Jacket.” The song hit No. 7 on the Modern Rock Tracks (now called Alternative Songs) in Billboard magazine’s music chart, which lists the most-played songs on modern rock radio stations.

CAKE released its second and last album with Columbia, called “Pressure Chief,” in 2004 before creating its own label, Upbeat Records. It released “Showroom Compassion” in 2011, which became the band’s first album to debut at the top of the Billboard charts, selling 44,000 copies the first week.

Touring relentlessly throughout Europe and the United States has taken the band on many adventures over the years, and it has continued to flourish. One stop this summer tour is at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.

In an email interview with Vincent DiFiore of CAKE, he talked about the band’s roots, songwriting and performing in the Lehigh Valley.

CAKE, in fact, is playing Sunday, July 12, at SteelStacks in Bethlehem. CAKE and DiFiore, who plays trumpet and keyboard and sings, will play here as part of ArtsQuest’s Yuengling Summer Concert Series at the Levitt Pavilion on the SteelStacks campus.

Tickets are $39 and can be bought at www.steelstacks.org. Gates open at 7 p.m. with an 8:30 show start.

Christopher Holland: Has CAKE ever performed in the Lehigh Valley area (Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton)?

Vincent DiFiore: We did play at Lehigh University [in Bethlehem] as part of a tour that included Robbers on High Street and Gomez. I remember playing outdoors, on a field that was adjacent to campus. It was a beautiful spring day.

Holland: Why did you pick your band name? How did you form? Why did you decide to play the genre or genres that you do?

DiFiore: We chose the band name because of the phonetic oomph of this particular four-letter word. There was a music scene in Sacramento that we are all involved in. John McCrea, our singer and songwriter, was starting a new band, and invited us to be a part of it.

Our sound is a blend of a lot of different musical styles. We were careful not to get caught in a rut that was dictated by typical rock volume levels.

Holland: CAKE has had quite an extensive career. What have been some of your most notable achievements throughout your years with the band?

DiFiore: I would have to say our biggest achievement is the consistent quality of the albums we have released. I can still listen to every album and enjoy.

Being a part of the talk-show circuit has been a thrill, I would think. Television is fascinating! Fun to be behind that curtain, for sure.

Holland: From where do you draw inspiration when writing songs? Are the songs a collaborative effort?

DiFiore: We collaborate on song arrangements. All of us write riffs, hooks, melodies and rhythmic ideas.

Sometimes we will trade parts. For instance, playing a guitar part on the trumpet, or a trumpet part on the keyboards. It is always good to look at your sonic options.

Holland: Who were some of your biggest inspirations musically? What was your favorite concert when you were younger?

DiFiore: My mother used to take me to a lot of symphonic events. I really appreciated it at the time and now even more. The dynamic balance that a symphony orchestra can create is so sublime.

I will also never forget seeing a great local rock band from my high school at a backyard party. It was getting late, the band was loud, and a neighbor must have complained.

A police helicopter hovered over head with a spotlight. The lead guitarist took this opportunity to play a shredding solo into the beam of light. Divine.

Holland: How would you describe the evolution of the band’s sound?

DiFiore: I’m not sure if we’ve evolved as a band. We certainly have grown as musicians. We become better at our craft, but remain true to the musical ideals that we started with.

Holland: The venue you’ll be coming to was built as part of a major revitalization project of the now dormant Bethlehem Steel factory. I really think you’ll be fascinated when you come here and see how great of a space it really is. … What are you most looking forward to about this show?

DiFiore: The stage we will be performing on in Bethlehem is mind blowing! I am ready for my alien abduction. Judging by the photos of this exquisite locale, I believe this would be the place for it.

Holland: What does CAKE have planned for after its Bethlehem performance? Any hints of a new record, extensive tour, etc.?

DiFiore: There are absolutely no plans right now, but we are all optimistic that we will start working together soon on new material.