User:Thjeanqo/sandbox

The Blankz is an American punk new wave band from Phoenix, Arizona.

History
Tommy and Jaime Blank began writing songs together in the summer of 2017 and recorded their first tracks in October of that year. The band’s first single, “White Baby” is a power pop/bubble gum punk song that features an autobiographical look at the unique upbringing Lopez experienced as the adopted son of a Mexican family in Phoenix. Lopez, who is of primarily Irish, French, and German descent, wrote “White Baby” as a way of exploring the myriad of emotions he felt growing up with a last name that did not match his appearance.

“…it’s these tunes that grab you, especially “White Baby”—as insanely catchy as Social Distortion’s “1945,” No Alternative’s “Johnny Got His Gun,” and The Controllers’ “Electric Church.” Lastly, Tommy Blank’s exuberant vocals, and lyrics’ weighing his modern racial identity—a white kid raised by Mexicans—show smarts. It’s a complete package,” says Jack Rabid in issue #82 of Big Takeover.

Cris Kirkwood of Meat Puppets produced both of the initial Blankz EPs, “White Baby” and “(I Just Want To) Slam” for Slope Records, which is home to the band. According to an early press release, The Blankz will put out nine EPs before combining the songs into one LP in 2019. The first two releases, the aforementioned “White Baby” and it’s follow up, “(I Just Want To) Slam” will arrive in 2018 and videos for each song will be featured on MTV in late summer, 2018, as part of their indie rock showcase.

Formed in 2017, and led by Tommy Blank (AKA Thomas Lopez), the band was created to pay homage to the good works of bands like Ramones, Devo, and The Spits, as well as 80s new wave, synth pop, and snotty punk rock in general. Joining Blank/Lopez in the trenches of pop rock combat are Jaime Blank (AKA Jaime Paul Lamb of Moonlight Magic) on guitar and backing vocals, Nikki Blank (AKA Nicole Laurenne of The Darts USA) on synthesizer and backing vocals, Andy Blank (AKA Andrew Jemsek of Moonlight Magic) on bass guitar, and Johnny Blank (AKA John Gilleland of Mighty Sphnincter) on drums.

Singles

 * “White Baby” (Slope Records, 2018) 7” EP
 * “(I Just Want To) Slam” (Slope Records, 2018) 7” EP

Band Members

 * Tommy Blank – Vocals
 * Jaime Blank – Guitars/Backing Vocals
 * Nikki Blank – Synthesizer/Keyboards/Backing Vocals
 * Andy Blank – Bass/Backing Vocals
 * Johnny Blank – Drums