Moke (British band)

Moke were a British rock band who released two albums and a handful of singles; most notably the single "My Degeneration", described as "an angry indictment of callous youth".[1]

Moke
Moke performing at The Metro, Austin TX
Moke performing at The Metro, Austin TX
Background information
OriginLondon, England
GenresAlternative rock
Years active1997–2002
LabelsDorado Records
Ultimatum Music
Fruit Pie Records
MembersJohn Hogg
Sean Genockey
Alex Evans
John Morgan
Websitemokesite.com

History

Moke formed in London, England in 1997, composed of John Hogg (vocals, guitar), Sean Genockey (guitar), Alex Evans (bass guitar), and John Morgan (drums).[2][3] Moke signed to London indie label Dorado Records. The band recorded and co-produced a debut album, Superdrag (1998), described by JT Griffith of Allmusic as "hyper-eclectic, mixing a strong love for Led Zeppelin (à la compatriots Reef) with hints of rap-rock, blues, reggae, and of course classic rock".[4] This led to a US recording contract; Superdrag was re-released in the US as a self-titled album.[5] A second album, Carnival (2001), released on Ultimatum/Artemis Records, was produced by Paul Stacey, who also played guitar on the album.[6][7] Michael Lipton of LA Weekly described the album: "Sonically and musically, this disc is a pleasure from beginning to end".[8] While Carnival was initially released only in the United States, after the group broke up it was released in Britain by Fruit Pie Records.[9] Critics compared the group to Oasis, The Rolling Stones, The Who,[10] Led Zeppelin,[4] Faith No More.,[11] Tesla,[12] and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.[13]

Moke toured the UK, Europe and the US extensively throughout the late 1990s / early 2000s along with many acts, including The Black Crowes, Goo Goo Dolls, Tonic, Kings X, Spacehog and Senser. After the release of Carnival, the group headlined its own tour in the U.S.[14]

Since 2002 the band have been working on other projects. John Hogg went on to form Hookah Brown with Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes.[15] but this group disbanded after only a few months. However,[16] Johnny Hogg has now reunited with Rich Robinson, forming a new band The Magpie Salute along with other original Black Crowes members Marc Ford and Sven Pipien. John Morgan in playing with the original lineup of Senser. Alex Evans is a Senior Lecturer in Popular Music at Kingston University as well as Education Officer at Visconti Studio, a tape-based recording studio in partnership with Tony Visconti, the British Library and the Science Museum. Sean Genockey is a successful record producer who has worked with The Who, Roger Daltrey and the Manic Street Preachers.

Moke reunited on 16 September 2011 to perform their first concert in ten years.

Discography
Year Title Label Other information
1998 Superdrag Dorado Definitive version of début album
1999 Moke Ultimatum US version of début album - track order differs
1999 Superdrag Avex 14 track Japanese only version of début album
2001 Carnival Artemis Records Second album from Moke - US release only

References
  1. "Moke Revives Blues-based British Rock", Charlotte Observer, 28 October 2001
  2. Ankeny, Jason "Moke Biography", Allmusic, retrieved 12 January 2010
  3. Harmon, Rod (2001) "British band Moke evokes the blues-based rock of the `60s", Bradenton Herald, 18 October 2001
  4. Griffith, JT "Superdrag Review", Allmusic, retrieved 12 January 2010
  5. Review of Moke. Guitar Player, 1 April 1999.
  6. Review of Carnival (3 stars). San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 August 2001.
  7. Blackett, Matt (2001) "Moke: John Hogg and Sean Genockey Mix It Up", Guitar Player, 1 October 2001
  8. Lipton, Michael (2001) "Frozen Entrée", LA Weekly, 22 November 2001, retrieved 12 January 2010
  9. Review of Carnival, IndieLondon.co.uk.
  10. British band Moke evokes the blues-based rock of the `60s. Knight Ridder Tribune, 24 October 2001.
  11. Review of Carnival. The Morning Call, 20 October 2001.
  12. Review of Carnival. BlogCritics, 17 June 2005.
  13. Review Archived 29 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine, NyRock.com, September 1999.
  14. News, Billboard.com, July 2001.
  15. Robinson Crows About His New Band. The Victoria Advocate, 26 January 2003.
  16. Hookah Brown Call It Quits. Rolling Stone, 30 May 2003.
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