Everything is Knuckacetic

Jake McElfresh was an acoustic singer-songwriter from Newark, OH. From 2012 to 2015, McElfresh performed under the name Front Porch Step. Under this moniker, he released two records: Aware, a full-length released in November 2013 and Whole Again, an EP released in December 2014.

Touring extensively on these albums, both released by Pure Noise Records, McElfresh began cultivating close relationships with his fans. Some of which blurred the lines between engagement with those that appreciated his work and innapropriate contact with those that idolized him—in some cases with female fans under the age of 18.

Just a month after the Whole Again EP was available for purchase, allegations of misconduct began to circulate online. Girls began sharing stories of their relationships with McElfresh which stirred the hearts of many and triggered dark memories of even more. These relationships were largely based in the cyber-world. Text and photos messages were publicized by young girls that had been taken advantage of by McElfresh. This is the story of a person that chose to use his position of relative fame to take advantage of young fans that wanted to be involved with someone that made them feel something through his music.

After more and more stories began to surface, McElfresh played the victim himself in the following statements made on the Front Porch Step Facebook page:

Posted on 12.31.2014 at 8:30PM:

I am aware of the serious allegations and sensational things being posted on the internet about me and my personal life. While this is personally difficult to experience, I am taking the appropriate, meaningful, and objective steps to address the severity of these things and the horrendous words being used. I would truly hope that others who have or will propagate these serious allegations will do the same

Posted on 01.04.2015 at 1:30PM:

As I posted 3 days ago, I am taking the appropriate time to assess these very serious allegations against me and I am not taking them lightly. Until I can do that in a complete manner with all the information I have at my disposal, I will not be continuing with any current touring activities for the time being.

At this point, Jake McElfresh goes radio silent. He remained inactive for the next three months before releasing one final “statement” on the issue at hand. In it, he continued to deny his role in any misdoings and remained woefully unapologetic for his actions.

The following is a timeline of links detailing the story of Jake McElfresh’s innapropriate relationships, the fallout, and subsequent battle that rages on to prevent Front Porch Step from continuing. These links are intended to educate from square one to present day.

December 2014 - January 2015 | The story breaks:

12.30.2014

my experience with jake mcelfresh (front porch step) by Angela

Angela’s follow-up post with photo proof of illicit behavior [NSFW]

12.??.2014

My story: my experience with Jake McElfresh in correlation to Angela by Francesca

anonymous submission regarding another girl’s experience with Jake McElfresh

01.09.2015

A Pop-Punk Singer and the Blurred Line Between Digital Fan Mail and Trouble - The New York Times

June 2015

06.19.2015

Bands Need Mentors by Jacob Tender for AltPress

July 2015 | Front Porch Step plays Warped Tour Tennessee:

07.01.2015

Autumn Lavis asks Kevin Lyman not to let Jake McElfresh play Warped Tour Nashville

07.02.2015

Bands call out Warped Tour for including act accused of sexual misconduct by Jessica Goodman Entertainment Weekly

We Need To Talk About Kevin by Jacob Tender for curbside.audio

Warped Tour Founder Says He Knowingly Allowed Musician Accused Of Sexual Misconduct To Play Tour Date By Ryan Broderick for Buzzfeed

Ex-Girlfriend Of Jake McElfresh Opens Up About Relationship, Shares Phone Conversation - Pup Fresh

07.03.2015

The Pup Fresh Podcast Episode #10 - Autumn Lavis Interview - Pup Fresh

07.15.2015

Why 13,000 People Signed A Petition To Stop This Guy Playing At Warped Tour by Thea De Gallier for Noisey

07.30.2015

Embattled Pop-Punk Artist Jake McElfresh on Underage Sexting Allegations: ‘I’m Not a Pedophile, I’m Not a Rapist’ By Danielle Bacher for Billboard

October 2015

10.26.2015

No More Silence: Sexual harassment in the scene by Luke O’Neil for AltPress

May 2016 | Front Porch Step plans to return:

05.13.2016

Speak Up, Speak Out: 3 easy ways to make our scene safer and more inclusive by Autumn Lavis for Substream

05.19.2016

Joe Taylor // Knuckle Puck

Yes. That’s exactly what I want. He can sit at home and play his guitar. He can get a day job like everyone else. Being on stage is a privilege. He used that privilege to gain access to countless underage girls. My friend Kayla said it best “The crux of the issue is and always has been: is your enjoyment of art worth the suffering of its victims? You can’t separate art & artist in a medium that reads like a personal diary. Your money and support funds abuse.”

This is something I really wish I didn’t have to write. I think the hardest part is knowing I’m going to have to tell the girls. The ones that Jake Mcelfresh manipulated for his own selfish gain. The ones that were barely 15-17 at the time. 

This is something I really wish I didn’t have to write. I think the hardest part is knowing I’m going to have to tell the girls. The ones that Jake Mcelfresh manipulated for his own selfish gain. The ones that were barely 15-17 at the time.