Cake’s new single, “The Distance,” tells the story of a race car driver who continues to circle the track after the race is over.

When the competitors and spectators leave, the driver continues, as if pursuing a strange sort of delusion.

“Ultimately, the song is a metaphor for the way people strive in life,” Cake trumpet player and percussionist Vince Di Fiore said. “Every one can relate to the song. For me, I tend to think of all of us going on tour and leaving our wives and girlfriends.”

Cake were quick to resume touring after the release of the Fashion Nugget, which was released last month.

Although the record has already gone over well on alternative radio and MTV, Di Fiore insists that the band’s rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle hasn’t changed.

“We’ve been a little more busy with interviews,” he said. “But, the money’s about the same. We’re playing for more people, I guess, but we still have the same feeling of persevering with the music.”

Fashion Nugget marks the follow-up to Cake’s critically acclaimed debut, Motorcade of Generosity. According to the band, “The Distance,” is a perfect example of the heavy irony and groove mixed into the new record.

“We were coming from so many directions on both records,” Di Fiore explained. “We had the songs and wanted to make an album that was strong. We didn’t intend on making this record any more different than the last.”

After a successful attempt on Motorcade, Cake chose once again to produce their own record.

“Each of us feel comfortable with a mixing board,” Di Fiore said. “We know about mic positioning and those kind of things. We know what sound we want, so it doesn’t make sense to bring in someone else.

“We mix each song with three or four of us on the mixing board. All of us have our fingers in the pie, but certain people butt there face in at different times,” he said.

The wide trace of emotions on Fashion Nugget is topped by an unexpected trio of covers, including Willie Nelson’s “Sad Song’s and Waltzes,” Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and the timeless classic “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps.”

“We’re not trying to revive the disco era or anything, it’s just a well- written song that we felt we could give justice to,” Di Fiore said about the Gaynor cover. “I remember listening to it on the way to school.”

Di Fiore added that he felt Nelson would be happy with their cover of his tune. Although Cake rejected the idea of covering Frank Sinatra, they did record a song by that name for Fashion Nugget.

“That name evokes a lot of images,” Di Fiore said. “He’s somewhat of an icon and starting off with it creates some strong imagery.”

Listening to songs like “Sinatra” or “Italian Leather Sofa,” one would guess Cake’s sense of humor to go beyond song writing. However, Di Fiore said the band does not bond through humor.

“Everyone in the band wants their own identity and their own sense of humor,” he said. “John (McCrea, vocalist and guitarist), who writes most of the songs, is the sharpest cynic of us all.”

Cake’s line-up is filled by McCrea, Di Fiore, guitarist Greg Brown, bassist Victor Damiani and percussionist Todd Roper.

Since their formation in 1991, they have toured with acts such as the Meat Puppets, The Ramones and Al Green.

The quintet originally formed in Sacramento at a time when “bands were into putting flyers up everywhere.”

“We wanted a name that would be strong and stand out, but that’s easy to remember,” Di Fiore said. “‘A’ is a strong letter and the ‘k’ after it gives the word a lot of depth.

“We meant “cake” mostly as a verb, an action word. You get something caked onto the bottom of your shoe. Paint gets caked on, ” he added.

As simple as their name is, Cake take a different route in their musical approach, leaving what Di Fiore describes as “a lot of room in the music.”

“There are so many elements coming from different eras and styles,” he said. “We’re able to create a cohesive sound from a lot of sources, which makes a lot of interesting musical statements.”

Cake will make their statements at the M-Shop tonight with fellow the Sacramento trio, Jackpot. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $8, $6 for students.

“We put a lot of energy into making the album and now we’re following through with our live show,” Di Fiore said. “This is a really good time to see us, I don’t think we’ve ever sounded this good.”