Moke

There are at least two bands with this name: 1) Despite a song title like The Long Way on its repertoire, Amsterdam-based band Moke has taken the shortcut to success. In the first 18 months of its existence, Moke managed to get main stage slots on festivals such as Pinkpop, Lowlands and Parkpop in their home country and Sziget in Hungary. At the end of 2006 Moke played the support slot for two Paul Weller shows at London's Forum theatre.

1) Despite a song title like The Long Way on its repertoire, Amsterdam-based band Moke has taken the shortcut to success. In the first 18 months of its existence, Moke managed to get main stage slots on festivals such as Pinkpop, Lowlands and Parkpop in their home country and Sziget in Hungary.

At the end of 2006 Moke played the support slot for two Paul Weller shows at London's Forum theatre. Paul Weller invited the band personally, and this is now regarded as their breakthrough. The band rapidly became a success domestically, playing festivals and two sold-out club tours.

Moke's genre is called 'neo wave' or 'Britrock', consisting of a particular mix of vocals, pounding drums, powerful bass, keyboards and a prominent guitar.

Singer Felix Maginn was born in Belfast, which has influenced his lyrics about hope, love, war and peace.

Chris (Bam Bam) Westbrook, colloquially Bam Bam, is a house/acid/techno artist, as well as music producer from Chicago, Illinois. He has been producing on Ascap records since 1987.

2) Moke were a British rock band who released two albums ("Superdrag"/U.S. version titled "Moke" in 1999 and "Carnival" in 2001), and a handful of singles; most notably, "My Degeneration", described as "an angry indictment of callous youth".

Moke formed in London, England in 1997, composed of John Hogg (vocals, guitar), Sean Genockey (guitar), Alex Evans (bass guitar), and John Morgan (drums). 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 (? la compatriots Reef) with hints of rap-rock, blues, reggae, and of course classic rock". This led to a US recording contract; Superdrag was re-released in the US as a self-titled album. A second album, Carnival (2001), released on Ultimatum/Artemis Records, was produced by Paul Stacey, who also played guitar on the album. Michael Lipton of LA Weekly described the album: "Sonically and musically, this disc is a pleasure from beginning to end". While Carnival was initially released only in the United States, after the group broke up it was released in Britain by Fruit Pie Records.Critics compared the group to Oasis, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Faith No More.,Tesla, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Moke toured the UK, Europe and the US extensively throughout the late 90's / 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.