Jank (stylized as JANK or J A N K !) was an American DIY band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It formed in 2015 following the disbanding of vocalist Lou Diamond's previous group, Panucci's Pizza, and was dissolved in 2016 due to alleged sexual assault allegations against Diamond.
Jank | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2015–2016 |
| Labels |
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| Spinoffs |
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| Spinoff of | Panucci's Pizza |
| Past members |
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History
editJank formed following the break-up of Downingtown, Pennsylvania duo Panucci's Pizza, which consisted of Lou (formerly Matt) Diamond and Blair Benzel.[1] During Panucci's tenure, Diamond had been introduced to bassist Ruben Polo through mutual friends in the Philadelphia DIY scene, and they later met drummer Sam Becht during the trio's studies at the University of the Arts.[2] After Diamond's other projects disbanded, they decided to start a new band containing light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek lyrics and upbeat, energetic instrumentals, in contrast to the emotional lyricism and acoustic instrumentation of Panucci's Pizza.[3]
Jank released their debut album, Awkward Pop Songs, in 2015 via Honest Face Records and Funeral Sounds.[1][3]
In early 2016 they recorded a new EP called Versace Summer.[4] The band self-released a remixed version of Awkward Pop Songs, entitled Awkward Chopped Songs, on July 5, 2016 before releasing Versace Summer on July 27, 2016 through Creep Records.[5][4][6] The album was named one of Vice's "100 Best Albums of 2016".[7]
Breakup and aftermath
editSince the release of Versace Summer, Lou Diamond, the frontperson, has been accused of sexual assault. This caused bassist Ruben Polo to depart the band. Following this, Lou, alongside drummer Sam Becht, released a new project titled "Fail Better, Heal faster", before once again being accused of another sexual assault.[8]
Polo continued to play in the band Soul Glo until 2022, when he was accused of sexual assault and subsequently stepped down from the band.[9] Meanwhile Becht joined Remo Drive as a touring drummer and in 2019, joined a new band called Oolong.[10]
Members
edit- Lou Diamond – guitar, vocals (2015–2016)
- Ruben Polo – bass guitar (2015–2016)
- Sam Becht – drums (2015–2016)
Timeline
edit
Discography
editStudio albums
- Awkward Pop Songs (Honest Face Records, 2015)
EPs
- Versace Summer (Creep Records, 2016)
Remix albums
- Awkward Chopped Songs (Self-released, 2016)
Compilation Albums
• B-Sides and Dem-Os (Self-released, 2021)
References
edit- ^ a b Cohen, Ian. "Jank: Awkward Pop Songs". Pitchfork. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- ^ Helm, Justin (18 July 2016). "LOCAL BAND INTERVIEW: Northern Liberties' Jank". Spirit News. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- ^ a b "JANK: Awkward Pop Songs (2015)". Punknews.org. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- ^ a b Domenighini, Annalise (20 July 2016). "JANK Is Back to Bling Out Your Weird Feelings with New EP 'Versace Summer". Vice. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- ^ "New JANK Remix LP Available for Streaming & Download". The Deli Magazine. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- ^ Anthony, David (4 August 2016). "Jank wrote a love song for a bike, and made a touching video for it". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- ^ Garrison, John (7 December 2016). "The 100 Best Albums of 2016". Vice. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- ^ Ezer, Zach (5 September 2017). "Does DIY Have a Sexual Assault Problem?". Long Day Modern. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- ^ Grow, Kory (26 June 2023). "Soul Glo Are Proving That Heavy Music Can Be Anything, and Everything". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- ^ "Sam Becht - Sound In The Signals Interview". Sound in the Signals. Retrieved 21 July 2023.