Jank (stylized as JANK or J A N K !) was an American DIY band from

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

. 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.

History

Jank formed following the break-up of

Downingtown, Pennsylvania Downingtown is a Borough (Pennsylvania), borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States, west of Philadelphia. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, it had a population of 7,898. Downingtown was settled by European colonists ...

duo Panucci's Pizza, which consisted of Lou (formerly Matt) Diamond and Blair Benzel. During Panucci's tenure, Diamond had been introduced to bassist Ruben Polo through mutual friends in the

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

DIY scene, and they later met drummer Sam Becht during the trio's studies at the University of the Arts. After Diamond's other projects disbanded, they decided to start a new band containing light-hearted,

tongue-in-cheek Tongue-in-cheek is an idiom that describes a humorous or sarcastic statement expressed in a serious manner. History The phrase originally expressed contempt, but by 1842 had acquired its modern meaning. Early users of the phrase include Sir Walte ...

lyrics and upbeat, energetic instrumentals, in contrast to the emotional lyricism and acoustic instrumentation of Panucci's Pizza. Jank released their debut album, ''Awkward Pop Songs'', in 2015 via Honest Face Records and Funeral Sounds. In early 2016 they recorded a new EP called ''Versace Summer.'' 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. The album was named one of

Vice A vice is a practice, behaviour, Habit (psychology), habit or item generally considered morally wrong in the associated society. In more minor usage, vice can refer to a fault, a negative character trait, a defect, an infirmity, or a bad or unhe ...

's "100 Best Albums of 2016".

Breakup and aftermath

Since 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. 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. Meanwhile Becht joined Remo Drive as a touring drummer and in 2019, joined a new band called Oolong.

Members

*Lou Diamond – guitar, vocals (2015–2016) *Ruben Polo – bass guitar (2015–2016) *Sam Becht – drums (2015–2016)

Timeline

Discography

Studio 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

{{reflist Musical groups from Philadelphia Musical groups established in 2015 2015 establishments in Pennsylvania Emo revival groups Emo musical groups from Pennsylvania