Crywank started in 2009 with Jay Clayton attempting to do some folk-punk influenced acoustic music with no previous experience playing guitar. The first album "James is going to die soon" was inspired by a painful break up. Jay stated that "I wrote these songs out of frustration and sadness and they ended up making me feel a lot better, I hope they have a similar effect on you".
In 2012 Crywank released their second album 'Narcissist On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown'. Described as "a collection of paranoid songs mostly about me trying to understand my own sadness along with the concept of sadness as a whole. It was fueled by self help books and pot."
In late 2012 Dan Watson joined Crywank on percussion, and in early 2013 they released tour demos for their third album 'Tomorrow Is Nearly Yesterday And Everyday Is Stupid' which was released in October 2013.
In 2016 Jay and Dan began couch surfing to afford to be able to tour as much as possible. Over the next four years they performed over 500 shows in over 30 countries and released four albums.
Crywank announced their breakup following a world tour in 2019, alongside the album ‘fist me til your hand comes out my mouth’’ a huge departure in sound and the first release to include songwriting from Dan and explained the tense relationship between Jay and Dan that had developed over the years on the road.
Their breakup tour was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic and the North American and European dates had to be rescheduled numerous times. During this time Jay was in a house fire, which led to the release of a solo Crywank album ‘Just Popping In To Say Hi’ that was written and recorded over three days.
Between 2022-2023 Crywank managed to continue their final tour and performed 100 shows in the USA and over 50 shows in the UK and Ireland, often with bass player Jules Noel (AKA Guard Petal). In 2024 it was announced that Crywank will no longer be breaking up and Jules would be joining the band.
The name Crywank comes from reclaiming a cruel nickname given to Jay during a period of depression. Jay has since said that if they knew how popular the band would have become they probably would’ve chosen a different name.
Leech Boy
Crywank Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Unsure and false promises I make
I invade your existence with my dependence
And leave you guilt tripped until you take
Care of me, for if not, I will surely die
I don't feed or clean myself and I am always high
Putting pipe dreams before the necessities in life
And now I know that sounds pathetic
That's because that's what I am
So open about my flaws
But it's all part of my plan
For if I can recognise my flaws
You'll assume I'm trying to change
But I am lazy and disheartened
And I know I will remain the same
Taking all you can give me, trying to live in excess
You know you'll make my life much easier, I'll make your life a mess
So squirm away, stupid leech boy, go and die now in the drain
You speak only of your sadness but are yet to feel true pain
As I get older, I also worsen
I used to be a better person
Growing into a constant burden
ducing man-child
I am scared I'll lose my job because I always go in stoned
If I do, will you feed me, take me in, and hear me moan?
And if you don't, I'm on your conscience and will surely die alone
Invite me in to regret it as I take over your home
Oh so useless and demanding, no I will not help out with chores
I'll bring no money or conversation, unmotivated and bored
Staring blankly into space, absorbing all you have worked for
I will disappoint those who think I can do more
I warn you now to avoid me
I may not bite the hand that feeds
But I will wrap my lips around it
And I will suck off all the meat
You'll be left feeling used once you find out I'm a leech
I've taken all you can give, and now, I will up and leave
No shame or dignity left in me as I scout out brand new friends
To invade with my dependence and let it start again
As I get older, I also worsen
I used to be a better person
Growing into a constant burden
ducing man-child
In Crywank's song Leech Boy, the lyrics describe a person's self-awareness of their dependence on others and how they manipulate those around them to provide for their basic needs. The singer refers to themselves as a "leech" who invades other people's lives with their dependence until they comply with their demands. They know that their behavior is pathetic and frustrating for those around them, but they feel powerless to change. The singer is aware that they are lazy and disheartened and that they will always be the same, using others to meet their needs.
The lyrics also include a sense of desperation as the singer realizes that they are getting older and becoming a worse person. They worry about losing their job because they are always stoned and wonder who will take care of them if they are fired or unable to work. They describe themselves as useless and unmotivated, unwilling to contribute anything other than their presence. They warn others to avoid them because, at the end of the day, they will use and then abandon those who try to help them.
Overall, the song Leech Boy is a raw and honest depiction of a person struggling with dependence and manipulation. The singer's self-awareness of their flaws and their inability to change creates a sense of despair, highlighting the difficult reality of living with addiction and the negative impact it can have on relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel like a leech to everyone around me
I am constantly taking from those around me and providing nothing in return, making me feel like a parasite or leech.
Unsure and false promises I make
I often make promises that I am unsure I can keep, or outright lie to get what I want.
I invade your existence with my dependence
I am dependent on others to survive, and often impose myself on their lives and well-being.
And leave you guilt tripped until you take
I use emotional manipulation to coerce others into providing for me, making it feel like their responsibility to care for me.
Care of me, for if not, I will surely die
I need others to take care of me because I lack the basic skills to take care of myself and will die without their help.
Putting pipe dreams before the necessities in life
I prioritize my unrealistic fantasies over my basic needs, such as food, shelter, and hygiene.
Without your help, I have no hope to survive
I am completely helpless and cannot survive without the constant support and aid of others.
So open about my flaws
I am honest and upfront about my many flaws and shortcomings.
But it's all part of my plan
I intentionally expose my flaws as a way to manipulate others into believing I am trying to change and improve.
And I know I will remain the same
Despite my attempts to appear willing to change, I know deep down that I have no intention of improving or altering my behavior.
You know you'll make my life much easier, I'll make your life a mess
I expect others to cater to me and make my life better while I bring chaos, drama, and distress into theirs.
You speak only of your sadness but are yet to feel true pain
Despite my constant complaints and self-pity, I have not experienced true hardship or suffering.
I am scared I'll lose my job because I always go in stoned
My drug use has become problematic to the point where it may cost me my job and financial stability.
If I do, will you feed me, take me in, and hear me moan?
I expect others to continue caring for me even if I become unemployed, and have no shame about making them listen to my complaints and demands.
Invite me in to regret it as I take over your home
I will impose myself on your life and personal space, causing you stress and regret for ever letting me in.
I'll bring no money or conversation, unmotivated and bored
I offer nothing of value in exchange for the many resources and efforts others give to me.
I will disappoint those who think I can do more
I rarely meet anyone's expectations of me because I lack the motivation and drive to do better.
You'll be left feeling used once you find out I'm a leech
Once I have taken everything I can from you, you will realize that I have been using you for my own gain all along.
No shame or dignity left in me as I scout out brand new friends
I have no sense of pride or honor, and will immediately move on to finding new people to take advantage of once my current targets stop supporting me.
Contributed by Jackson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.