The Hanks

The Hanks (led by power pop and alt.country musician Jeff Hart, see: Jeff Hart and the Ruins) were formed in 1987 and helped usher in the alt.country or No Depression scene in North Carolina several years before Whiskeytown and Ryan Adams put the sound on the national map. They disbanded in 1989. They reunited for two shows in 2000 and permanently in 2004 to coincide with The Release of the archives of their 1988 recordings. The 2007 lineup (same as 1988) are Jeff Hart on guitar and vocals, Herbie Saint on drums and vocals, Ron Bartholomew on lead guitar and vocals and Steve Webster on bass.

A later band with the same name, formed in 1998 and has been touring nationally since 2004. The rest of the article is devoted to that band.

The Hanks (of Los Angeles, Calif. 1998 to present)

The Hanks are a Los Angeles based band consisting of Josh Grondin (lead vocals, guitar), Bryan Harris (bass guitar, backing vocals), Philip Katz (keyboard, horns, backing vocals), and Shane Mayo (drums). They carry an alternative rock sound with many effects on the guitar and keyboard. Some of the older songs can be considered ska because of the use of a trombone and upstroke guitar rhythm.

Josh and Bryan met at an Oregon boarding school. Josh and Bryan met Phil and Shane in upon moving down to LA in 2000. Shortly after this, Josh's childhood friend Ben Welch (rhythm guitar, backup vocals) joined the band. Josh also played in Ben's band named Darci Cash, Ben's main project. As The Hanks and Darci Cash became busier and began to tour more, Josh and Ben had to leave each other's bands and stick to their main projects.

Their first full length record, Your New Attraction was first released March 2005, on Caffeine Teen Records, a label co-founded by The Hanks, along with LA-based bands Darci Cash and The Absentee. It was re-released September 26th, 2006 on Cobra Music. All songs on this album were written by Josh Grondin. The band also released two out of print EPs before moving to LA.

In May of 2007 they began recording their second full length album, with an expected fall release.

External links - The Hanks (since 1987)

External links - Los Angeles CA (since 1998) Hanks