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Front Porch Step

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Front Porch Step
Birth nameJake McElfresh
Also known asFront Porch Step
Born1991 (age 32–33)
Newark, Ohio, U.S.
GenresAcoustic rock, indie rock, emo revival
InstrumentAcoustic guitar
Years active2012–present
LabelsPure Noise

Front Porch Step is the solo acoustic project of Jake McElfresh of Newark, Ohio.[1]

History

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Front Porch Step began in 2012. In 2013, Front Porch Step signed to Pure Noise Records and released his debut album Aware. In 2013, he supported Never Shout Never on four of their tour dates.[2] In the summer of 2014, Front Porch Step played on the Vans Warped Tour. In the fall of 2014, Front Porch Step played on the Pure Noise Records Tour with State Champs, Handguns, Forever Came Calling, Brigades and Heart to Heart.[3] In February and March 2015, Front Porch Step planned to go on his first headlining tour, with support from Have Mercy, Alcoa, Hotel Books, and Head North. Due to sexual harassment allegations, McElfresh has suspended his tour until further notice.[4] Front Porch Step was going to partake in the 2015 Vans Warped Tour, which is held annually throughout the summer, but was removed from the tour due to the allegations brought up against him.[5]

On June 2, 2016, after a year long hiatus due to sexual harassment allegations, Mcelfresh returned with the release of a song called 'Help Me Hurt' to Spotify.[6]

Allegations of sexual misconduct

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McElfresh has been accused by several young people of sexual harassment through mobile phones, including sending nude pictures of himself to underaged girls.[7] This led to a petition demanding he be removed from the 2015 Warped Tour. His record label, Pure Noise Records, and Kevin Lyman, creator of the Warped Tour, announced they were aware of the allegations.[8]

On January 4, 2015, McElfresh announced via his Facebook page that he had suspended all current tour dates, including Warped Tour, due to the allegations.[9] On April 3, 2015, McElfresh issued a public statement via Facebook. In it, he explained that when growing up, he had self-esteem issues and "certainly was not a ladies man," and when he finally got his breakthrough with music, he was surprised at how much attention from female fans he received. He admitted that he had corresponded through text messages with women, some of whom were underaged, but claimed that the conversations were "not as one sided as they seem," pointing out that no charges had been brought against him. He also stated that even though some of the conversations were sexual in nature, "(he) only had conversations with willing participants". McElfresh then admitted that [he] "wondered if (he) wanted to be alive anymore" in the few months after the allegations were brought up, and took a break from social media after being dropped by his label and removed from all tours, considering it the "greatest thing (he) could have ever done". He also stated that he intends to return to music in the summer.[10]

On July 1, 2015, McElfresh performed his first show since the allegations were brought, at the Acoustic Basement at the Nashville, Tennessee stop of Warped Tour.[11] Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman stated that he had spoken with McElfresh's personal counselor, who said that the performance would be a part of his therapy, he would not be paid for the show, and he would not appear at any other stops of the tour. Lyman stated that he allowed McElfresh to perform the show because he has not been charged with a misdemeanor, stating that "If he was a legitimate danger to anyone, he simply wouldn't be here.[12]" Many bands tweeted their opinions of the situation, practically all in distaste.[13] McElfresh also dealt with a concertgoer in the crowd who publicly criticized him, saying "The difference between you and me is that I know who I am, and I am very proud of that. So you can go ahead, watch my set. Thank you very much. Thanks for the ticket money, dude.[14]"

The controversy was the subject of a song by Stray from the Path entitled "D.I.E.P.I.G.", which attacks musicians who use their fame to abuse young girls.[15]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Album Chart positions
Top Heatseekers
2013 Aware[16][17] 39
2017 I Never Loved Before I Found You.[18]
  • Label: I Never Loved Before I Found You
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, cassette

EPs

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Year Album details
2014 Whole Again[19]
  • Released: December 2, 2014
  • Label: Pure Noise Records
  • Format: CD, Vinyl, music download

Singles

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Year Album details
2017 Burned
  • Released: 2017
  • Label: I Never Loved Before I Found You
  • Format: CD, music download
2017 Stones
  • Released: 2017
  • Label: I Never Loved Before I Found You
  • Format: CD, music download
2020 You Look Nothing Like My Dreams
  • Released: 2020
  • Label: You Look Nothing Like My Dreams
  • Format: CD, music download

References

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  1. ^ Whitt, Cassie. "Song Premiere: Front Porch Step, "Drown"". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  2. ^ Crane, Matt. "Front Porch Step to tour with Never Shout Never". Alternative Press. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  3. ^ Sharp, Tyler. "Handguns, Forever Came Calling added to Pure Noise Records Tour". Alternative Press. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  4. ^ Sharp, Tyler. "Front Porch Step announces tour with Have Mercy, Alcoa, Head North, more". Alternative Press. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  5. ^ Crane, Matt. "Neck Deep, Palisades, Front Porch Step, Handguns, more announced for Warped Tour 2015". Alternative Press. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  6. ^ "Front Porch Step". www.facebook.com.
  7. ^ Coscarelli, Joe (January 10, 2015). "A Pop-Punk Singer and the Blurred Line Between Digital Fan Mail and Trouble". New York Times. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  8. ^ Shotwell, James (December 30, 2014). "FRONT PORCH STEP ACCUSED OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT, LABEL RESPONDS". Under the Gun Review. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  9. ^ Shotwell, James (January 4, 2015). "Front Porch Step Issues New Statement, Cancels All Tour Plans". Under the Gun Review. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  10. ^ "Front Porch Step". www.facebook.com.
  11. ^ Sharp, Tyler (July 1, 2015). "Front Porch Step reportedly playing Warped Tour today - UPDATED". Alternative Press.
  12. ^ "Warped Tour's Kevin Lyman responds to Front Porch Step controversy (exclusive)". Alternative Press. July 2, 2015.
  13. ^ Sharp, Tyler (July 1, 2015). "Musicians react to Front Porch Step playing Warped Tour". Alternative Press.
  14. ^ Sharp, Tyler (July 1, 2015). "Front Porch Step makes opening statement at Warped Tour: "I know who I am"". Alternative Press.
  15. ^ Stray From The Path attack sexual predators on "D.I.E.P.I.G" (exclusive) AltPress. August 3, 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  16. ^ Slessor, Dan. "Front Porch Step - Aware". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  17. ^ Zarrillo, Zack. "POZ Stream: Front Porch Step - Aware". Property of Zack. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  18. ^ "Front Porch Step". Facebook - Aware. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  19. ^ Crane, Matt. "Front Porch Step - "A Lovely Mess" song premiere and EP announcement". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
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