Fank

FANK is a band that played out once in its three plus years of existence. Nonetheless, it was a great combination of great local musicians from the Chicago Area. Between the free form rehearsals and the songs that formalized from these rehearsals, there was some great music. This page will feature live music, pictures, and other stuff from the Fank archives.

Check out the history page for a more detailed look at the band, with commentary by bass player Dan Ursini.

Video

Here is the Fank video for the song 21 Days. You need RealPlayer 9 or higher to view it. There are two files, one for modem users, and another for broadband users. Please select the choice that reflects how you access the Internet.

Modem Users, click HERE. (mono audio)

Broadband Users, click HERE. (near CD-quality stereo audio)
Audio and Video ©2004 The Staklo Foundation.

To go to real.com and get RealPlayer10, click HERE.

Music

All Files are 128 kb MP3 files unless otherwise noted.

Here is a new mix of the track Need To Belong which was featured on the band's CD, Fanked From Behind. This mix is different from that released on CD.

Need To Belong 11 min 18 sec, 10.3 megabytes MP3
Track © 2004 The Staklo Foundation.

The two tracks here are jams recorded on July 27, 2000. The recordings were made on a very inexpensive cassette recorder with a built in microphone. The quality of the recording lacks, but the performance of the band comes through in both pieces. The sound is slightly reprocessed from the original stereo cassette recording.

Jam(1) 11 min 47 sec, 11 megabytes MP3
Track © 2005 The Staklo Foundation.

Jam(2) 9 min 8 sec, 8.5 megabytes MP3
Track © 2005 The Staklo Foundation.

This track is an early version of Dark Dark Dark recorded on November 28th 2000. The sound is slightly reprocessed from the original stereo cassette recording.

Dark Dark Dark 5 min 15 sec, 4.8 megabytes MP3
Track © 2004 The Staklo Foundation.

This version of Shotgun was recorded on February 6, 2001. It features an ambient rhythm section and is strikingly different from other existing recordings of the song. The sound is slightly reprocessed from the original stereo cassette recording.

Shotgun 8 min 31 sec, 7.80 megabytes MP3
Track © 2004 The Staklo Foundation.

This track was recorded on April 3, 2001. It's a different and quite spirited version of the song This Time, compared to the one recorded on February 16, 2003. Unfortunately, the vocal is buried in the mix as the performance was recorded to a cassette using room mikes. The sound here is slightly reprocessed from the original stereo tape.

This Time 4 min 57 sec, 4.7 megabytes MP3
Track © 2005 The Staklo Foundation.

The next two tracks were recorded on December 29, 2002.

I Follow Your Fragrance 6 min 24 sec, 5.87 megabytes MP3
Track © 2004 The Staklo Foundation.

Sweet Little Angel 6 min 43 sec, 6.16 megabytes MP3
Track © 2004 The Staklo Foundation.

These three tracks are from December 29, 2002, and they were remixed in December, 2008. The first is a one-off jam at the very beginning of the rehearsal. The second is mostly a full version with a breakdown at the end. The third is complete. Compare this mix to the one above. These recordings are presented in 256 kb bit rate.

Wake Up Little Suzie 2 min 45 sec, 5 megabytes MP3
Track © 2009 The Staklo Foundation.

Shame Shame Shame 5 min 35 sec, 10.2 megabytes MP3
Track © 2009 The Staklo Foundation.

I Follow Your Fragrance 6 min 30 sec, 11.9 megabytes MP3
Track © 2009 The Staklo Foundation.

Here are 5 tracks recorded on February 16, 2003

I Can't Quit You Baby 4 min 4 sec, 3.72 megabytes MP3
Track © 2004 The Staklo Foundation.

Need To Belong 5 min 53 sec, 5.38 megabytes MP3
Track © 2004 The Staklo Foundation.

I'm So Proud 7 min 39 sec, 7 megabytes MP3
Track © 2004 The Staklo Foundation.

These three tracks were recorded on April 13, 2003. This was the last session played by the band. The version of 21 Days is an earlier take of the song than the track on the video, which was recorded at this session. This version of Death Letter is the last song performed by Fank to date.

These two tracks were recorded at the Fank Reunion held on August 14th, 2005. These were among the last tracks played in the day, with 21 Days being the last track before the equipment was shut off. They feature the band's regular line-up with Dave Miller guesting on guitar.

PICTURES

Here are pictures of the band. All of these were taken at the regular rehearsal space on Grand Avenue near Cicero Avenue in Chicago.

The Band From left to right, Brian (standing with guitar, Robert (with raised fist), John (in the doorway with guitar), Dan (seated with bass), and Ludwig behind the drum kit.

Brian and Robert.

Dan Ursini, who played bass and wrote some of the songs we played.

Mark with computer.