As far as Moke are concerned, there's no God-given reason why Hendrix and Hip Hop can't hold equal sway on a list of musical influences that also numbers Led Zep, Tamla Motown, Billy Cobham, and early Blues pioneers such as Robert Johnson and Freddie King.

After great industry acclaim with the bands first album, 'Superdrag' released on Dorado, saw MOKE sign to US label, Ultimatum Records in 2000, record their second album 'Carnival', produced by Paul Stacey, mixed by Bob Clearmountain and take to the road with such acts as The Black Crowes and Kings X.

With incredible reception from industry and fans plus a debut single, 'My Degeneration' straight in at number 17 in the US R&R charts, one expected MOKE to evolve into one of the biggest bands on the planet. However all was not well in the Moke camp especially with the bands record company which saw them part ways in 2003. As a result of this, Carnival never got to see the light of day outside the US.

The band then returned home to the UK. Each member went their own separate ways with John Hogg forming a new band with Rich Robinson (Black Crowes) and then begin work on his solo album, (which will be released on Fruit Pie Records in 2006), Sean Genockey stepping into a production/engineering career, Alex Evans returned to teaching at Kingston University and Johnny Morgan got back together with the original Senser lineup.

Three years after the release of Carnival in the US will see the album made available in the bands home territory and is released in the UK on the 27th June through Fruit Pie Records. This release date, the quality of songwriting, the production of the record along with the history around the band could well see Carnival as a strong contender for a Mercury nomination.

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Carnival Cat No: stak2674CD Track Listing 1. My Degeneration 2. Hanging Around 3. Slide 4. Today 5. Liar 6. Strange Days 7. So Much Better 8. I Don't Mind 9. Magic House 10. Screen 11. Fluicide

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