Hokus Pick
Hokus Pick  | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Hokus Pick Manouver | 
| Origin | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 
| Genres | Christian rock, contemporary Christian music | 
| Years active | 1989–1999 | 
| Labels | Word Canada, Via, Freedom | 
| Past members |  
  | 
Hokus Pick (or Hokus Pick Manouver) was a Christian rock band that was together from 1989 to 1999.[1] The four members of Hokus Pick met in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.[1] Hokus Pick was well known for their quirky sense of humour, using sarcasm, satire, and general silliness to convey a deeper message.[2]
Hokus Pick toured extensively in Canada and the United States. The band opened for Steve Taylor's Squinternational tour in 1994[2] and played in Costa Rica in May 1998. The group released their final album in 1999, opting to spend more time with their families after more than a decade of recording and touring together. They have remained active in music ministry and the industry.[3]
The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music cites their song "I'm So Happy" as possibly the worst CCM song of all time.[2] The song is a satire of simplistic lyrics often heard on Christian radio.[2] Ironically, it received heavy rotation on Christian stations.[2]
In October 2007 Hokus Pick received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Gospel Music Association at the 29th Annual Covenant Awards in Calgary, Alberta.[4] Hokus Pick then performed live and hosted the 30th Annual Covenant Awards on October 24, 2008.[5]
Rumours abounded that Hokus Pick was planning a comeback into music, after having been spotted in a secluded warehouse jamming together. Filmmaking company Transposition Films, composed of legendary members itself, avoided questions regarding their involvement in filming a documentary about the process.[6]
Members
- Russ Smith – lead vocals, guitar
 - Matt Pierrot – guitar, vocals
 - Dave Strilchuk – bass guitar, vocals
 - Rick Colhoun – drums, vocals
 
Discography
- Hokus Pick Manouver (independent) (1988)
 - Hey Man! (independent) (1989)
 - Pick It Up (1992, review[7])
 - The Independents (1993)
 - Brothers from Different Mothers (1994, review[8])
 - Brothers From Different Mothers (video) (1994)
 - Bookaboom (1995)
 - The B-Sides (1996)
 - Snappy (1997, reviews[9][10])
 - Greatest Picks (1998)
 - Super Duper (1999, reviews[11][12][13])
 
Songs in other projects
- "We Are the People" on Believe It, Various Artists (Revival, 1999)
 - GMA Canada presents 30th Anniversary Collection, "I'm So Happy" (CMC, 2008)
 
Further reading
- "Hokus Pick". 7ball (4). January–February 1996.
 
References
- ^ a b Hokus Pick interview (1998) at Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
 - ^ a b c d e Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. pp. 417–418. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
 - ^ Hokus Pick's MySpace Archived November 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 11, 2008.
 - ^ GMAC Lifetime Achievement Award 2007: Hokus Pick Archived January 19, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
 - ^ GMAC 2008 Covenant Award Performers Archived October 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine (Awards held October 24, 2008).
 - ^ Hokus Pick's Comeback (Video uploaded November 7, 2008).
 - ^ George, David (August 1, 1993). "(Review) Pick It Up". Cross Rhythms (16). Retrieved October 12, 2008.
 - ^ Rimmer, Mike (April 1, 1998). "(Review) Brothers From Different Mothers". Cross Rhythms (44). Retrieved October 12, 2008.
 - ^ Stewart, James Yusef (1998). "(Review) Snappy". The Lighthouse. Archived from the original on July 8, 2000. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
 - ^ Rimmer, Mike (April 1, 1998). "(Review) Snappy". Cross Rhythms (44). Retrieved October 12, 2008.
 - ^ Cliff, Bill (October 21, 1999). "(Review) Super Duper". The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
 - ^ DiBiase, John (March 14, 2000). "(Review) Super Duper". The Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
 - ^ Singleton, Keith (August 1, 2000). "(Review) Super Duper". Cross Rhythms (58). Retrieved October 12, 2008.
 
External links
- Hokus Pick discography at Jesus Freak Hideout
 - Hokus Pick discography at MusicBrainz