How Young the Giant Was Formed: The Jakes Era and Name Change Story

Young the Giant’s formation story is a classic tale of high school friends jamming in garages, lineup changes, and a bold rebrand that launched them into indie rock stardom. Originally known as The Jakes, the band evolved from teenage experiments in Irvine, California, into one of the most enduring alt-rock acts of the 2010s and beyond. Frontman Sameer Gadhia’s immigrant roots, combined with the group’s diverse backgrounds, added depth to their sound and journey. How Young the Giant Was Formed!

How Young the Giant Was Formed

The Early Days: Garage Jams and The Jakes (2004–2009)

Young the Giant traces its roots to 2004 in sunny Irvine, California—a suburban Orange County hub known more for its master-planned communities than music scenes. A group of high school friends (some as young as 15) started playing together casually in garages and local spots.

The original lineup included:

• Sameer Gadhia (lead vocals) – Indian-American heritage, with parents from India.

• Jacob Tilley (guitar) – British background, met Sameer early after moving to the U.S.

• Addam Farmer (guitar/keys)

• Kevin Massoudi (bass)

• Ehson Hashemian (drums)

  
  

The name The Jakes was a fun acronym pulled from their first initials: Jacob, Addam, Kevin, Ehson, and Sameer. Connections ran deep—many had known each other since elementary or middle school through soccer, school, or family ties. Payam Doostzadeh (bass, Persian-American) joined later, having met Sameer via youth soccer.

They played local venues, released early EPs and demos, and built buzz in the SoCal scene. Songs like early tracks gained traction on LA radio and even MTV's The Real World. Influences ranged from classic rock to indie, blending catchy melodies with introspective lyrics.

Lineup shifts happened naturally: By around 2007–2008, Eric Cannata (guitar, Italian-Jewish roots) and François Comtois (drums, from Montreal) solidified the core. Ehson and others rotated out, making the acronym-based name feel outdated and confusing.

The Name Change: From The Jakes to Young the Giant (2009–2010)

In late 2009, during a pivotal transition, the band decided a fresh start was needed. Sameer Gadhia later explained in interviews that The Jakes carried too much "long and confusing history" from lineup changes and high school origins. They wanted something that felt bigger, more timeless, and less tied to specific people.

The new name Young the Giant emerged somewhat mysteriously—no deep literal meaning, just a phrase that resonated during a "weird point" in their development. Announced in December 2009 (with some sources citing January 2010 during debut album production), it symbolized youth, ambition, and growth—fitting for a group of former teens chasing dreams.

This rebrand coincided with signing to Roadrunner Records and recording their self-titled debut. The shift paid off: Dropping the old moniker allowed them to "start fresh" and present a more mature, unified identity.

Breakthrough and Legacy - How Young the Giant Was Formed

The 2010 self-titled album exploded with hits like "My Body" and "Cough Syrup", propelling them from Irvine locals to festival headliners and Billboard success. Follow-ups like Mind Over Matter (2014), Home of the Strange (2016—exploring immigrant experiences), and later works built on that foundation.

Today, Young the Giant continues evolving. Their upcoming album Victory Garden (set for May 1, 2026) promises fresh sounds, with the Victory Garden Tour kicking off May 24, 2026, in Las Vegas—featuring supports like Cold War Kids, almost monday, and more across North America (including stops in New York, Chicago, LA, and beyond).

From high school acronyms to global stages, Young the Giant's story highlights friendship, reinvention, and the power of a great name change. Their diverse roots and persistent creativity turned garage jams into timeless indie anthems.

Catch Young the Giant live on the Victory Garden Tour 2026—grab affordable tickets and promo codes now at CapitalCityTickets.com for dates near you!