{{Infobox musical artist | name = Blankass | image = Blankass2.jpg | caption = Blankass, performing at the "Le Murmure du son" Festival on July 13, 2024 at Eu | origin = Berry, France, France | genre = Rock music in France, folk | years_active = Since 1990 | label = JGN, At(h)ome | current_members = Guillaume Ledoux<br />Johan Ledoux<br />Cédric Milard<br />Charlie Poggio<br />Jerôme Legrand<br />Alain Verderosa |website = {{URL|https://www.blankass.com}} }}
'''Blankass''' is a French rock group originating from the Indre department, in the former province of Berry. It was formed by brothers {{ill|Johan Ledoux|lt=Johan|fr}} and Guillaume Ledoux in 1990.
== Biography == Blankass was formed in 1990 by brothers Johan and Guillaume Ledoux, both originally from Issoudun, and two former members of the punk rock band Zéro de conduite.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://musique.rfi.fr/artiste-rock-blankass|title=Blankass {{!}} Biographie|website=RFI Musique|access-date=6 March 2022|language=fr-FR}}</ref> Their first album was released in 1996 under the title ''Blankass'', recorded after a series of concerts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://culture.tv5monde.com/musique/biographies-artistes/blankass-986|title=Blankass|website=culture.tv5monde.com|access-date=6 March 2022|language=fr-FR}}</ref> Then, the group released their second album, ''L'Ère de rien'', on September 2, 1998, which they had been working on since autumn 1997.<ref name=":0" /> Unlike the first album, which was produced from their extensive tours, this album was conceived, written, and recorded in the studio.<ref name=":0" /> After being recorded just before Christmas 1997, the album was mixed in Wales, Great Britain.<ref name=":0" /> Between November and December 1998, the group embarked on a French tour of 20 dates, including a stop at the Bataclan in Paris on December 14.<ref name=":0" /> In the same year, their album sold over 50,000 copies in just a few months.<ref name=":0" />
Between 1995 and 2003, Blankass was one of the leading rock groups in France.{{citation needed|date=September 2025}}
Blankass participated in concerts and the release of an album for Free Tibet. They also support irregular immigrants with a track on the GISTI CD and by supporting Zolboot, a Mongolian child threatened with deportation.
The group released their first best-of album, ''Je me souviens de tout'', on April 14, 2014.<ref name=":0" />
In 2020, they returned with a new album, ''C'est quoi ton nom ?''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/musique/blankass-reprend-des-couleurs-avec-un-album-aux-accents-rock-et-pop-26-01-2020-8244612.php|title=Blankass reprend des couleurs avec un album aux accents rock et pop|website=Le Parisien|date=26 January 2020|access-date=6 March 2022|language=fr-FR}}</ref>
In 2023, they released the album ''Si possible heureux'',<ref>''Si possible heureux''</ref> featuring three duets with Stephan Eicher, Gauvain Sers, and Vianney.
== Current members == * Guillaume Ledoux — vocals, accordion * Johan Ledoux – guitar, vocals * Charlie Poggio – drums (after 1994 and before August 2006) * Cédric Milard – keyboard (since 2005) * Alain Verderosa – bass (since 2019) * Jérôme Legrand – guitar (since 2019)
== Previous members == * Bruno Marande – bass (1994–2008) * {{ill|Philippe Ribaudeau|fr}} — flute, saxophone, harmonica (1990–2008) * Olivier Robineau – drums (1994–2006) * Nicolas Combrouze – guitar (1990–2005) * François Poggio – guitar (2007–2008) * {{ill|Nicolas Bravin|fr}} — guitar (2005–2006) * Pierre Simon – guitar (2011–2014) * Sabine Quinet – bass (2011–2014)
== Discography == === Studio albums === * 1996 – ''{{ill|Blankass (album)|lt=Blankass|fr}}'' * 1999 – ''{{ill|L'Ère de rien|fr}}'' * 2003 – ''{{ill|L'Homme fleur|fr}}'' * 2005 – ''{{ill|Elliott (album)|lt=Elliott|fr}}'' * 2012 – ''Les Chevals'' * 2020 – ''C'est quoi ton nom ?'' * 2023 – ''Si possible heureux''
=== Compilations et Albums en public === * 2008 – ''{{ill|Un concert|fr}}'' * 2014 – ''Je me souviens de tout'' <small>(Compilation: Includes their hits, rarities, covers, and unreleased tracks.)</small>
== See also == * Official website: {{URL|https://www.blankass.com}} * Old website: {{URL|https://www.blankass.fr}}
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Portal bar|Rock Music|France}}
Category:Musical groups established in 1990 Category:French folk music groups Category:French rock music groups