Jimmy Pop

Biography

James Moyer Franks (born August 27, 1972), better known by his stage name Jimmy Pop (originally Jimmy Pop Ali), is an American musician. He is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, primary songwriter, and one of the founding members of the comedic rock band Bloodhound Gang.

Early life and education

James Moyer Franks was born in Trappe, Pennsylvania, the son of Alice Ann (born Moyer) and Richard Lee Franks. He is of German and Native American heritage, with Jewish ancestry. He was raised Lutheran, but ceased practicing as soon as his parents approved his request to do so.
He graduated from Perkiomen Valley High School in 1990 and commenced studies in mass communication and history at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he met future Bloodhound Gang bassist Jared Hennegan.

Bang Chamber 8

Franks played in a Depeche Mode cover band called Bang Chamber 8 with Mike Bowe (later known as Daddy Long Legs). The lineup was Franks and Bowe on synths, Kevin Hennessey on lead vocals and Justin Ianelli on guitar and additional synths. In 1990, Bang Chamber 8 released a cassette of four original songs: "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "Birthday Boy", "Ice Cubes" and "War Chimes". These songs had nothing in common, lyrically or musically, with the Bloodhound Gang.
Bang Chamber 8 split in 1991. In 1992, Franks and Bowe started a hip hop group called the Bloodhound Gang which later became more of an alternative rock band, also adopting their respective stage names. Daddy Long Legs left the Bloodhound Gang in 1995.

Side projects

Pop collaborated with Bam Margera, Brandon DiCamillo, and Jess Margera as The DiCamillo Sisters to record a Christmas single titled "But Why's It So Cold?" along with an accompanying video. Pop collaborated with dance artist Tomcraft for a song called "Broadsword Calling Danny Boy×Broadsword Calling Danny Boy15 December 2006 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Broadsword Calling Danny Boy (radio mix)3:142Broadsword Calling Danny Boy (original mix)5:453Broadsword Calling Danny Boy (Gregor Tresher remix)7:17" in 2006. The song is featured on Tomcraft's official MySpace. In 2007, Pop collaborated with German group Scooter for a song titled "The Shit That Killed Elvis", which was featured on their album The Ultimate Aural Orgasm. Bam Margera can also be heard in the song's intro. The song reached number 2 in the German Hip Hop chart and remained there for two weeks. In 2010, Pop collaborated with German group Die Atzen for an English version of the song "Disco Pogo" which was featured on the Jersey Shore soundtrack. In 2022, he collaborated with Russian Hardbass group Russian Village Boys on their song "Daddy WTF?", with its music video being released on February 22.

Television and film appearances

Pop made an appearance in the CKY series of films, during a shopping cart race scene and slap fight in CKY 4. He also appeared in an episode of Viva La Bam titled "Limo vs Lambo", in which Pop borrowed Bam Margera's Lamborghini without telling him, causing Margera to accuse his close friends (specifically Ryan Dunn) of doing the deed. He also appeared on the Viva La Bam episode "Rockstars", in which Don Vito and Phil Margera attempt to become rock stars, leading Jimmy Pop to French kiss Don Vito onstage.
Pop has appeared on The Dudesons, being one of the people throwing darts during the human dart board stunt with Jarppi Leppälä. Pop appeared with fellow Bloodhound Gang member Evil Jared Hasselhoff in the film Minghags: The Movie, directed by Bam Margera. They are credited in the film as Jimmy Pop Ali and Evil Jared "Hollywood" Hasselhoff. Pop also appears in Bam Margera's movie called Where the ♯$&% Is Santa?. He appears in the music video for the Oleander's cover of "Boys Don't Cry".