Bokaata have existed since the summer of 2007 and now, as 2010 approaches, the metamorphosis of their epic alternative pop-rock-dance sound, once coined schizo-rock, has come to fruition.
The band was the brain child of front man Gavin Bates whose song writing, influenced by the Pumpkins, Placebo, Feeder and the Manics, was the catalyst for Bokaata's inception. By late summer 2009 Bokaata had evolved. The rock backbone remained intact but drummer Craig Conkie and bassist Charlie Howell also threw their inspiration into the mix, with slices of dance and electronica giving Bokaata their own distinct sound. Direct, powerful, passionate.
Bokaata sing about modern living, the drudgery of the everyday, the hypocrisy of religion, about loves lost and the need for enemies. There is a gritty realism to the songs which are counter pointed by powerful melodies and catchy choruses. For Bokaata very much follow Gavin's dark side / light side lifestyle which juxtaposes rapturous moments of ecstasy and empowerment against moments of dark reflection and realisation.
Since their inception Bokaata have become a regular on the Cambridge music circuit having played most of the local venues at one time or other, as well as The Cambridge Rock Festival. One of the bands' live highlights was supporting Jubilee at The Soul Tree, a night when they upstaged the US mongrel band (made up of NIN and QOSA rejects) whilst consolidating themselves as a live band before the audience's very eyes. Bokaata have also played two successful gigs at The Dublin Castle in Camden.
After early self-produced demos, including the anthemic 'Faking It', Bokaata ventured into the studio in spring / summer 2009 to record 'The Everybody Needs an Enemy EP' at Zoo Audio in Cambridgeshire. The debut EP includes; the power punk of 'Love Lost…,' the grimy dance metal of 'Lifeline', the hypnotic synth-balladry of 'Refugee' and the call to arms that is 'Everybody Needs an Enemy'. Released December 2009, the official EP launch will take place in February 2010 when the band will make their official comeback to the live stage.
In the second half of 2009, as well as launching their brand new website and EP, Bokaata have been working on three new songs and a re-working of previous live stalwart 'You'. In addition the band are taking part in the B-side project which sees bands and solo artists team up with DJs and producers to remix an original track. 'Lifeline' is being remixed by local producer Sigil and the initial preview appears to be an interesting take on the Bokaata style. The band recently appeared on Cambridge University student radio in support of the project.
In recent years music appears to have become more of a commodity than an art form. Everyone seems to want to be in a band these days as if it were a fashion accessory or a public statement and so we see endless carbon copies of the same imitated styles; songs bought and sold as if stocks and shares, the hottest thing in the playground one minute and then discarded the next. Great music has always lasted the test of time and a time will come when that is remembered again. Bokaata aren't going to wait for that time to come but they'll still be there when it does…
Hey!
This isn't band spam :P We're having our debut show as "As We Climb" (Formerly "This Is My Honesty") in Cambridge next week.. It'd be greaaaat if you could come give us some support :)
Here are the details:
Date: Feb 19th
Venue: Portland Arms, Cambridge
Price: £4
Bands: The First (Lockjaw Records), As We Climb, Villa Savoye
Thanks so much for actually reading this and let us know if you're gonna come :)
AWC
xxx
Hey Gav! You guys are great - I like!!! I really need to get some band tunes up... it's just solo and online collabs at the mo... hopefully soon once we've done recording. ... and thanks for the sound on Saturday you did an awesome job!
cheers gav your guys stuff sounds great, nice to hear it heavy, did you check out the first track on my player? its the only one on there from my band, were playin a couple of gigs in nov dec up your way if you like the sound of it come along
Yeah, that's a shame - but I could say the same about you guys - especially as I was your very first friend!! I'm sure I'll be able to make some amends...
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