Fueled by Ramen is an independent record label started by John Janick and Vinnie Fiorello ( drummer and song writer of Less Than Jake ) in August of 1996 in Gainesville , Florida . John Janick initially conceptualized the label while attending high school , but it was not until he enrolled at the University of Florida in Gainesville and teamed up with Less Than Jake drummer\/lyricist Vinnie Fiorello that Fueled By Ramen became a reality .